Now don’t get me wrong, Cinco de Mayo is one of the greatest days known to mankind—and I’m not just saying that because I, myself, was born on May 5th. However, where does Cinco de Drinko cross the line? Are you sure you’re down to appropriate an entire culture? As a huge fan of this particular date, I’ve made a list of do’s and don’ts for this magnificent holiday:

DON’T:

Wear sombreros, ponchos, or anything overtly (and offensively) referring to Mexican culture, etc:

via reddit.com

via reddit.com

So what is cultural appropriation? Well, it’s actually a pretty important matter. Basically, it is when an entire culture is summed up to a couple salt-rimmed drinks and some controversial decorations. For example, grabbing that sombrero that’s been sitting in the back of your closet for the last eleven months, just to take that “special” Instagram picture holding a Dos Equis and wearing your favorite muscle shirt is just one of the many examples of appropriation. Cultural sensitivity is key! Besides, it is still possible to have fun without offending an entire culture.

Try to “celebrate” Mexican Independence:

via houston.culturemap.com

via houston.culturemap.com

Mexican Independence Day is on September 16th. Cinco de Mayo, on the other hand, is a celebration of Mexico’s victory at the Battle of Puebla. The two are not the same, and people will get mad at you for not knowing the difference.

DO:

Celebrate Nsync’o de Mayo:

via twitter.com

via twitter.com

On this lovely fifth of May you have the chance to celebrate the best boy band in history. Justin Timberlake didn’t sing “it’s gonna be MAY” for you to not play this song in the month of May. Even ‘NSYNC themselves would appreciate their reappearance of relevance. As a super fan myself, I would personally recommend: “Bringin’ da Noise”, “Makes You Ill”, “I’ll Be Good For You”, and of course some serious classics such as, “Bye, Bye, Bye” and “It’s Gonna Be Me”. If at any point you wonder, “Why didn’t she include “Larger than Life” or “Everybody”? It’s because those songs are BACKSTREET BOYS SONGS AND YOU ARE NOT A TRUE SUPER FAN.

Celebrate Sinko de Mayo:

via lynchsters.edublogs.org

via lynchsters.edublogs.org

We’re all at that point in the quarter where our stuff is everywhere—literally everywhere. Clothes are piled in your room, you left your backpack in Campbell Hall, and an assortment of new pencils from the beginning of the quarter have been loaned out and lost in every single building on campus. But worst of all, your sink is overflowing with uncleaned dishes from three weeks ago, and you have resulted to drinking water out of a cereal bowl. The time is now to clean that sink.

Party:

ron

Now I’m not trying to kill that mellow of yours, if you want to go out, by all means, go out. Cinco de Mayo is on a Tuesday this year, and we all know that means “Tequila Tuesday”, “Taco Tuesday”, or even “Tell your mom you love her Tuesday”. So, if you were still hoping to drink some margaritas, eat some tacos, or tell your mom you love her, it’s still a win-win. You can party, eat, and make your mom happy while simultaneously NOT participating in cultural appropriation (assuming you are 21 of course, silly Isla Vistians).

 

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