Pittsburgh celebrates Cinco de Mayo

On May 5, 1862, a group of outgunned and outnumbered Mexican solders won an unlikely victory… On May 5, 1862, a group of outgunned and outnumbered Mexican solders won an unlikely victory over French invaders at the Battle of Puebla in northeastern Mexico. Their victory did little to turn the tide of the French invasion, but it marked the start of a favorite party holiday in the United States.

Today, many in Mexico, and even more in the United States, will celebrate Cinco de Mayo as a symbol of Mexican resilience and independence — using the holiday as an opportunity to share Hispanic history with people of other cultures.

“Cinco de Mayo is an opportunity for Mexican-Americans to take pride in their culture, to take the time to educate others about our heritage,” said Luis Rico-Gutierrez, a former Pittsburgh resident who was active in the local Mexican community for more than a decade.

“It is a particularly important day this year during the approach to the bicentennial of Mexican independence,” Rico-Gutierrez said. “There is pride both in the United States and Mexico about being independent and autonomous. That is what this holiday is all about, and that is something Mexicans and those from other cultures can share.”

Rico-Gutierrez lived in Pittsburgh for 14 years and was very active in the local Mexican community before joining the Iowa State University faculty and becoming one of the school’s deans in July 2009.He recalled a few of his experiences living in Pittsburgh and how the Mexican community seemed to grow stronger during his time in the city.

Once or twice per year, representatives from the Mexican Consulate in Philadelphia would come to Pittsburgh so people could renew their passports and visas, Rico-Gutierrez said. During the first few years, there was no line to do anything, but the last time he tried to renew his passport, there was a line of about 100 people.

Rico-Gutierrez related the increase to Pittsburgh’s economic stability compared to other cities in the United States.

“I would not call the Mexican community in Pittsburgh large, but it’s a tight-knit community,” he said. “There is a lot of Mexican pride and identity.”

Kathleen DeWalt, director of Pitt’s Center for Latin American Studies, agreed with Rico-Gutierrez’s ideas about the Mexican community and Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Pittsburgh.

“It’s kind of a mystery why the holiday is so popular here, considering that it’s only a minor holiday in Mexico,” she said. “My speculation is that it fell at exactly the right time of year for a party. I’ve been in Mexico on the fifth of May, and the celebrations are considerably more tame, smaller.”

It is unclear exactly how many will celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Oakland, but if the number of specials advertised at local bars serve as any indication, residents can expect an alcohol-filled night, if they are 21 or older.

Mad Mex will open two hours early today — at 9 a.m. — to serve egg and sausage burritos. Bartender Eddie Riddell said the restaurant will have specials on Mexican beer and margaritas all day.

Mad Mex is not the only Oakland spot planning Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Many bars near campus are participating in a bar crawl sponsored by Dos Equis beer. The bars will offer specials on bottles of Mexican beers. Party-goers can also expect a visit from the Dos Equis Girls, according to fliers posted at the participating bars.

“We will all certainly benefit from the holiday if we use it as a platform to share food, music and other traditions,” DeWalt said. “Students can learn by reaching out to the Mexican and Latin American student groups on campus — a grassroots approach.”

Pitt junior Lee Rihtarchik, a neuroscience major, discussed Cinco de Mayo traditions with his roommates on Monday afternoon.

“I don’t really know much about the holiday to be honest,” said Rihtarchik, who is of neither Hispanic nor Mexican descent. “I’ve heard that it’s not even celebrated very much in Mexico. Maybe it’s just American tequila companies trying to make some extra cash.”

Rihtarchik sees the holiday on the same level as St. Patrick’s Day or Oktoberfest. Such holidays are not just about boozing or partying, but about taking on another culture for a day.

“It’s good to step out of your own shoes every once in a while,” he said. “Having fun can be the best way to learn and relate to other cultures.”