Cinco: Cowboy-up, amigos

Since the Mexican army was victorious over French occupiers so long ago, Cinco de Mayo reminds both North and South Americans of our strong connections. The American Revolution encouraged our neighbors before their great battle in 1862, but theirs was no less inspiring. That small militia, exhausted from its war of independence from Spain and grossly outnumbered by French troops, nevertheless cowboyed-up, turning the tide for Mexico’s lasting freedom.

Its impassioned, determined spirit still resounds in North American culture.

According to U.S. Census, Hispanics will soon comprise this nation’s largest and already fastest-growing ethnic group. Mexican-Americans influence arts, sports, cuisines, language, social customs, religion, economics, and politics. Influence is mutual; the prominence of American pop culture and technologies is evident in Mexico.

When trade with Mexico decreases, Americans lose jobs and vice versa. According to U.S. trade statistics, food is surpassed by vehicles, machinery, chemical and oil products flowing across the border.

Mexican influences on American cuisine extends beyond the popularity of enchiladas and margaritas. The Mexican idea of “hot” and “cold” — balancing them in both life and meals — has become common parlance in cooking shows and recipes. In Hispanic cultures, foods, herbs, illnesses, and bodily states are characterized by degrees of heat of both temperature and taste; a good meal, a good life, maintains balance.

Speaking of food, a special thanks to Mexico’s Aztecs for giving the world chocolate.

Turning to language, English words from south of the border include canyon, corral, desperado, lasso, rodeo, and stampede. Notice the cowboy theme? Western-style ranching originated in Mexico. Imported via Texas (Mexico was one of the six flags over Texas), Mexican and Spanish techniques for managing large herds are still used today.

It’s no surprise these two ends of an American cultural lasso have woven together. Beyond proximity, Mexico is similar to the U.S. as a melting pot of outside cultures (Spanish, French, Portuguese) enmeshed upon a rich set of native cultures (Aztec, Mayan, pre-Columbian). These layers merge across time and distance, so “American” transcends mere geography.

Feliz Cinco de Mayo a nuestros amigos!

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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Email her at [email protected]