I’m Latina, But Cinco de Mayo Isn’t My Holiday
As a Chilena Palestina U.S. citizen, born and raised in the United States by parents who immigrated from Chile, I’ve come to truly value cultural identity and how often it’s misunderstood here. Every year, when Cinco de Mayo rolls around, someone inevitably says to me, “Happy Cinco de Mayo!”
I get it, it’s a recognized day in the U.S., and people usually mean well. But the assumption behind the greeting is what makes it complicated. People say it because I “look Latina,” or in their words, “Hispanic.” But that word has never sat right with me. It groups so many different countries and cultures under one label, erasing what makes each of us unique and it ignores differences in race, class, migration history, and local culture.
I don’t like the word Hispanic because it’s not who I am... I’m a Latina, and that’s because I’m Chilean.
While I have deep respect for Mexican culture and understand why Cinco de Mayo matters to many, I want to be clear... Cinco de Mayo is not a universal Latino holiday, and it’s definitely not a Chilean one.
What Cinco de Mayo Really Is
Let’s start with the basics. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It’s not Mexican Independence Day (that’s on September 16), and even in Mexico, it’s not widely celebrated outside of Puebla.
And let me be clear **even if I were Mexican, I still might not celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Many Mexicans don’t. Outside of Puebla, it’s not a major holiday in Mexico. That’s part of the point: assuming all Mexicans celebrate it and that all misses the nuance and complexity of real cultural identity.
In the U.S., the day has become more recognized thanks to the Mexican-American population and, let’s be honest, a lot of marketing and commercial influence. Over time, it’s also become a symbol of how “Latin culture” is often misunderstood, generalized, and commodified.
22+ Countries, 22+ Cultures
There are over 22 countries where Spanish is the official language, and each one has its own identity, history, and traditions.
As a Chilean, we celebrate "Fiestas Patrias" on September 18, not Cinco de Mayo. Our traditional foods include empanadas, asados, and pastel de choclo... we dance the cueca, and our national history is completely different from Mexico’s.
Latin America isn’t one culture. It’s a beautiful, diverse mix of nations, peoples, and traditions. Sharing a language doesn’t mean sharing the same culture.
Why These Assumptions can be offensive
To some, a quick “Happy Cinco de Mayo!” might seem harmless... but to many of us, it reveals a deeper issue, one rooted in how little the U.S. education system teaches about the diversity of Latin America.
And to be honest, yes, I do find it frustrating... even offensive at times. I hear it too often, and it's disheartening that people continue to lump all Spanish-speaking people into one category, like we’re interchangeable. I know people usually mean well, but their good intentions don’t cancel out the ignorance.
When people assume I’m Mexican, or that I celebrate Cinco de Mayo, it makes me feel like our heritage, a whole other country and everything that makes us uniquely Chilean... doesn't exist. These assumptions aren’t always rooted in hate, but they can still be harmful. They reflect a lack of education and curiosity, and they show how urgently we need a better education, deeper curiosity, and more respect for the wide spectrum of Latin American cultures.
What I Wish More People Understood
I wish more people in the U.S. took the time to educate themselves and understand that countries like Chile, Puerto Rico, and Peru are completely different... not just in geography, but in food, music, dance, and national history.
Not all Latin Americans eat tacos. Not all of us dance salsa. Not all of us celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
I hope in my lifetime USA Becomes more educated... where they ask “Where are you from?” and really listen to the answer.
Here are a few things you might not know about Chile:
* We’re home to the Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth
* Our national dance is the cueca
* We’ve produced two Nobel Prize–winning poets, Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda
* Our Independence Day is September 18, celebrated with ramadas, empanadas, and rodeos
Conclusion
I’m proud to be part of the rich and diverse Latin American community. I admire and respect Mexican culture deeply, but that doesn’t mean Cinco de Mayo is my holiday.
We aren't reduced to a label or a stereotype. We don't all celebrate "Cinco de Mayo” just because we're Latin or Mexican. Cultural appreciation should begin with curiosity, real knowledge, and asking questions... not lazy assumptions.
So next time you meet someone who speaks Spanish, or someone you think “looks Latin or Spanish,” don’t assume you know their story. Just like many Asians get mislabeled as Chinese, many of us who are Latino get automatically assumed to be Mexican.
Asia has over 48 countries, and Latin America is just as diverse... but that, is a conversation for another day.
