Skip the Sombrero: How to Talk to Your Kids About Cultural Appropriation

Cinco de Mayo, also known as the 5th of May, is a celebration of a Mexican victory against an overall failed French invasion which was officially won on May 5, 1862. Contrary to common belief, it is not Mexico’s Independence Day. The fight for independence began with the Grito de Dolores and it is celebrated on September 16th every year, commemorating the cry of Dolores which had commenced Mexico’s war against Spain in order to gain independence.

Culturally, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated not throughout Mexico, but for the most part only in Puebla (where the battle took place) and in the United States. Unfortunately, appropriating cultures remains a big problem in the United States when it comes to this holiday (and other culturally-based holidays).

As a woman of Mexican descent, I’m asking you to please put down the cheap sombrero from Party City and to cut back on putting your family in culturally-insensitive “costumes” on the day. Bringing awareness, about what cultural appropriation is, to your family (not only on Cinco de Mayo but especially around Halloween when there is a shocking amount of borderline racist “costumes”) is a great way to open the dialogue about the difference between appropriation and admiration of cultures that may be different than yours. Want to know more about how to do this? Keep reading to find out more.

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Skip the Sombrero: How to Talk to Your Kids About Cultural Appropriation

Historically speaking, it’s important to understand that the reason appropriating other people’s culture is so harmful to those (especially children) who grow up as a minority. From personal experience, I will say that having the same people who would belittle me and make racist remarks because I was Mexican only for me to later witness them “celebrating” Cinco de Mayo with unauthentic Mexican food and by wearing thick, black fake mustaches to school was harmful and very destructive as a young girl. It made it really hard for me to embrace my identity as a young brown woman growing up and the negative effects of experiencing cultural appropriation are still unfortunately present today.

As an example, you can see below what I mean by culturally insensitive and racist “costumes.” Unfortunately, these are still very common and are almost always not worn by those of the Mexican culture.

Talk to your children about the history behind Cinco de Mayo, and why you and your family may or may not be celebrating. Show the difference between appreciating a culture (learning language, eating veganized takes on traditional food, supporting Mexican-owned businesses) and appropriating one (practicing ignorance and insensitivity towards cultural norms). Having this conversation can make your children more compassionate and culturally-aware people in the long-run.

Here are three culturally sensitive things you can do if you feel the need to celebrate Cinco de Mayo:

Go to an AUTHENTIC Mexican restaurant

Please don’t go to Chipotle or El Torito on Cinco de Mayo if you’re craving Mexican food, instead go to small, independently owned Mexican restaurants to get your family’s plant-powered fix. If you’re in Los Angeles, my favorite plant-based Mexican restaurant is Gracias Madre.

Explore YouTube for Traditional Mexican recipes to try at home

Ditch the taco kits and guacamole mix and use the wonderful word of the internet to explore veganized versions of traditional Mexican cuisine! On YouTube, you can find everything from vegan pozole rojo with jackfruit to one of my all-time favorites, chilaquiles.

Watch a movie about historical or cultural Mexican icons

Sit down with the family (of course, be sure to determine which movies may or may not be age-appropriate!) and take a short history lesson on Mexican culture by exploring some of the most well-known symbols in our culture including César Chávez, Carlos Santana, Frida Kahlo and Selena Quintanilla, to name a few.

To conclude, this isn’t to say that you can’t enjoy delicious tequila or listen to Banda on Cinco de Mayo, this is only a friendly reminder to be mindful in your approach to appreciating a culture instead of appropriating it. As a general rule of thumb, please remember that if what you are doing in regards to possibly culturally-insensitive actions are questionable to you, they may not be best to carry-out. Happy celebrating!

How do you talk to your children about Cinco de Mayo and cultural appropriation? Will you be celebrating this year? Let me know in the comments below.