Every year on May 5, Black people across the country come together to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with an enthusiasm that often catches outsiders by surprise. From packed dance floors to taco-and-tequila-filled tables, the festivities seem to transcend cultural boundaries, with a particularly strong showing in cities like Detroit, New York, and Atlanta.
But why do so many Black Americans embrace a Mexican holiday that, at its core, marks the Mexican army’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla? While there are no easy answers, the popularity of Cinco de Mayo within the Black community can be understood through the shared experiences of joy, resilience, and solidarity, as well as the deeply rooted connections between the struggles of Black Americans and Mexicans in the U.S. But this celebration also brings into focus the ongoing cultural divides between the two communities. At the core, Black people just love to have a good time and celebrate.
But let’s dig deeper.
Cinco de Mayo is often misinterpreted as Mexico’s Independence Day. It’s not. (That’s September 16.) On the contrary, it’s a celebration of Mexican resistance and victory against foreign imperialism. On that day in 1862, the Mexican army, though outnumbered and under-equipped, defeated the French in the Battle of Puebla, a moment that reverberated throughout Mexican history as a symbol of national pride. The day carries deep cultural meaning for Mexicans and, over time, has evolved into a festive occasion, especially in the U.S., where it has been transformed into a commercialized holiday celebrated by a diverse range of people.
For some Black Americans, Cinco de Mayo may have taken on an additional layer of significance. The day isn’t just about the celebration of a victory over a foreign power – it’s about embracing resistance and survival in the face of oppression. This resonates deeply with a community whose history has been defined by struggle against colonialism, slavery, and segregation. While the histories of Black Americans and Mexicans in the U.S. differ in many ways, both groups have experienced systemic racism, marginalization, and the need to assert their cultural identities in a hostile environment.
For many, Cinco de Mayo serves as a symbol of defiance – a celebration of resistance, much like Juneteenth, which commemorates the liberation of enslaved African Americans. Both holidays are expressions of triumph and identity for communities that have long had to fight for recognition, dignity, and equality.
Yet, while there is a sense of shared joy and cultural solidarity, there is also a complex tension that cannot be ignored. The celebration of Cinco de Mayo by Black Americans doesn’t necessarily erase the cultural divide between Black people and Mexicans. In fact, that divide became glaringly apparent during the 2024 presidential election, when voting patterns revealed stark differences in political alignment between the two groups. In key battleground states, many Latino voters, particularly those of Mexican descent, gravitated toward conservative candidates, while Black voters overwhelmingly supported Democratic candidates. This divide highlights the nuanced reality that, despite the shared experiences of marginalization, there are still clear cultural and political differences between the two communities – differences that showcase how one group can tend to lean away from generic white acceptance, while the other group tends to lean toward it.
These differences are not solely the result of political ideologies. They stem from deeper social and economic factors. Issues like immigration policy, labor rights, and the relationship between Latino and Black communities in urban spaces have often created tensions, even while both groups face discrimination.
Black Americans, who have long struggled with issues like police brutality, criminal justice reform, and voting rights, may find themselves at odds with some aspects of the Latino experience, particularly the ways in which immigration policies have shaped the Latino community’s relationship with the broader American political system. Conversely, many Latinos, particularly those in immigrant communities, may feel that their struggles are minimized or overlooked in the face of Black Americans’ ongoing fight for racial justice.
Still, the common threads between Black and Mexican experiences in the U.S. cannot be denied. Both communities have had to carve out spaces for their culture and history to be acknowledged and celebrated. And both have used joy – whether through music, food, or shared community events – as a way of resisting the forces of dehumanization. Cinco de Mayo, then, becomes more than just a party. It becomes an opportunity for Black Americans to stand in solidarity with Mexicans, acknowledging that their struggles, while distinct, are united in their fight for dignity and cultural expression. (Or, it could just be about enjoying a party.)
The rising celebration of Juneteenth across the nation parallels this evolution. What was once a regional observance of the end of slavery for Black Americans has transformed into a nationwide celebration, much like Cinco de Mayo has evolved from a local Mexican commemoration into an event celebrated by diverse groups.
Both holidays now serve as markers of freedom, resistance, and identity, and in a way, they have begun to blend together as moments where people of different backgrounds come together to celebrate triumph over adversity. Just as Black Americans have embraced Cinco de Mayo as a day to connect with the Mexican community’s shared sense of joy, we now see Juneteenth taking on the similar role of uniting people across the country in a way that wasn’t possible just a few decades ago.
That said, the celebration of Cinco de Mayo by Black Americans also raises important questions about cultural understanding. While many join in the festivities with genuine respect for Mexican culture, there remains a level of superficiality in how the holiday is often observed. The commercialized aspects – bars serving $5 margaritas and the pressure to “celebrate Mexican culture” without any real engagement in its deeper historical or social context – can sometimes feel disconnected from the real struggles that Cinco de Mayo commemorates. This isn’t to say that celebration in itself is wrong, but it’s important to recognize the difference between participating in a cultural moment and appropriating it for the sake of fun.
In the end, Black Americans’ embrace of Cinco de Mayo speaks to something larger than any single holiday. It reflects a shared sense of joy and resistance in the face of oppression and a desire to stand in solidarity with other marginalized communities, even if it is “just another day to have fun.”
But it also underscores the complexity of cultural relationships in America, where the ties between different groups can be both deeply intertwined and, at times, sharply divided. As we look to the future, it’s important to acknowledge both the unity and the differences that define our collective experience, and to continue building bridges that allow us to celebrate one another while also respecting the unique struggles and identities we each bring to the table. Or, just go party.
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