Posted on 05/05/2014 12:26:32 PM PDT by Impala64ssa
Northwestern University continued to stumble over diversity issues this week as Mexican students voiced disagreement with a campuswide letter that advised students not to celebrate Cinco de Mayo by engaging in racially-offensive activities, such as eating tacos and drinking tequila.
The letter was sent to students via e-mail, and published in The Daily Northwestern last week. Leaders of Alianza, a Latino student group, and the Associated Student Government called on students to remember that Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico’s victory over France in the Battle of Puebla. It is not a day to throw a sombrero-themed party, they said.
“Some of our peers choose to throw ‘Mexican-themed’ parties that are culturally insensitive, offensive, and detrimental to the Northwestern community,” said the letter, which noted that this was a problem year after year. “Drinking tequila shots, eating tacos, and wearing sombreros do not commemorate Mexican culture; on the contrary, that offends, marginalizes, and isolates many of our friends, classmates, and community members, and casts our entire community in poor light.”
The two Alianza presidents who signed the letter are not Mexican, according to The Daily Northwestern.
Their recommendations were quite a shock to Northwestern students who actually came from Mexico. Several of them fired back recently.
“I’d like to say that I proudly embrace my tacos, tequila and sombreros,” wrote Ruben Antonio Marcos Bours, a Northwestern student, in a statement. “To me, they are a key part of my childhood, growing up in Monterrey, Mexico.”
Another student who grew up in Mexico called the letter “over the top.”
“The people who wrote it had a good intention, but their perspective is different,” said Pablo Garcia Romero, a Northwestern student, in a statement.
Alianza’s letter was no more popular among non-Latino students.
“I’ll probably still go to Chipotle and drink Corona tomorrow, but I do that like everyday is it still offensive?” asked one online commenter.
Realizing that the letter was poorly received, representatives for Alianza and ASG confirmed that they are drafting a new letter that will better explain their position on Cinco de Mayo sensitivity.
“We’re not trying to pass judgement on the role tequila or tacos have in the Mexican culture,” said ASG president Ani Ajith. “It comes down to context and intent.
Well yeah they beat the French on May 5th but keep in mind that the French came back and beat them like a drum. And it wouldn't have happened at all if Juarez was able to pay back the loans Mexico had taken out or if France had been willing to renegotiate like Britain and Spain.
Is precisely why I used it!
Thought Crime!
errrr.... I kinda like that sort of food. :)
So glad I live in Texas with all the great Tex-Mex food. That plus I married a coonass from Louisiana and I get Cajun food whenever I want. It’s no wonder that I am a big fat dude!
Why do people take any of this stuff seriously anymore??
I understand that some people have pride in being Mexican, what I don’t understand is WHY.
Alright; where are you getting your info on this conflict, or where can I read more? I continually get the revised we kicked butt version instead of the truth.
Alright; where are you getting your info on this conflict, or where can I read more? I continually get the revised we kicked butt version instead of the truth.
The mexicans along with native American indians and a herd of cattle did kick the butts of the French on may 5, but the French sent more troops and kicked the Juarez out of Mexico City and installed Maximilian.
http://www.commdiginews.com/life/the-american-civil-war-and-the-battle-of-cinco-de-mayo-16622/
I REALLY love that kind of food!
Well, I know what I’m having for dinner tonight.
****************
My husband, the chef-in-residence, just arrived home from work and the grocery store. Guess what we are having for supper tonight?! BEEF TACOS. And last week for our son’s 24th birthday, we enjoyed FISH TACOS! The fish was marinated in TEQUILA and one of the toppings was MANGO SALSA.
Is green beer still OK for St. Paddy’s day?
I find these specific “latino” students offensive.
SWEET!
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