Our Cinco de Mayo Family Tradition

mom-and-dad-enjoying-tejano-music3.jpg

 

Few Latinos in Our Neighborhood

 

 

 

 

 Christmas dinner preparation

 

Because there were so few Latinos in our area besides other relatives who had also moved to Ohio for better job opportunities—these Mexican customs were totally foreign to my friends and schoolmates. I felt like a bit of an outsider being only 1 of 2 Latin kids in my entire school! But my parents did an amazing job of incorporating these customs into my childhood and teaching my friends about them. And so even though I still sometimes wanted to be the same All American girl like the rest of my friends, my parents helped to raise awareness in a fun way to my schoolmates.

My mother to this day makes sure that she passes over these customs to the next generations by volunteering to conduct classes to elementary and middle school children and talk about Mexican customs. She does not want to see it fade away and she receives such gratifying pleasure in knowing that she has helped to sustain it. She and my father are proud of their rich heritage. These were the customs that kept them happy and family oriented even when times were difficult and not plentiful.

Cinco de Mayo Today

 

 

 

 

 

 Recent photo: my sister, my husband, mother and father in Barcelona

 

Cinco de Mayo in more recent years has become a much more celebrated holiday by people of all ethnicities and yes there is most certainly a large element of commercialism to it, but it does give everyone a reason to come together and enjoy Latin culture and maybe have a freshly made margarita (no pre-made mixer involved please).

I have found that in my adult life it has given me a good reason to help re-live and continue these childhood memories with my siblings and also introduce some of these Latin based activities to my not-so-Latin friends.

I always want to remember the person I was as a child enjoying all of these loving experiences celebrating our culture and the journey it has taken me up to today in being very proud of who I am and that involves my parents amazing job of keeping our heritage alive. Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Another article on Cinco de Mayo:

Cinco de Mayo and Celebrating Freedom

More articles on personal Hispanic Heritage:

A profile in memory of Dr. Les “Coach” Fernandez — He inspired Latin Business Today, it’s mission Inform, Inspire, Mentor & Empower and many others before us.

My Sister Remains A Primary Role Model

Early Inspirations Lead to Career Path

Latino Heritage: Gratitude Achievement Purpose 

Hispanic Heritage Story: How parents with opposite traits inspired me

Hispanic Heritage: Remembering Jacobo Salazar “Jobo”

Celebrating Latino Heros Close To Home

Hispanic Heritage, My Parents, My Heroes

 

 

 

RELATED POSTS

Mi Mamá Es Una Brava

Mi Mamá Es Una Brava

She was fierce, unapologetic, unselfish and brava. Editor's note: This is a reprise piece from Gaby Alcantara Diaz remembering her late parents and brother.   Over 21.2 million (all) immigrant women reside in the United States since 2013 with many traveling by foot,...

Video Gallery

Polls

Sign Up for the Latin Biz Today Newsletter

PR Newswire

Featured Authors

Innovation & Strategy

Money

Talent/HR

Legal

Marketing

Culture

Fashion

Food

Music

Sports

Work & Life

Mindfulness

Health & Fitness

Travel & Destinations

Personal Blogs

Pin It on Pinterest