The Perfect Coincidence of Coming to the U.S. on Cinco De Mayo

As I sit down to write this article, it is Cinco de Mayo, which has become as much an American celebration as it is Mexican. Now, truth to tell, most Americans don’t know that in Mexico, this is a holiday that commemorates the victory of Mexico over Napoleon’s army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It is not Mexico’s independence day. So, for many Mexicans, there is a slight, almost amusing disconnect between what we grew up celebrating there and how it is observed here.

But I would also bet that many Latinos do not know why it gained popularity in the States. Mexico’s victory over the French catalyzed their departure from North America, depriving the Confederacy of possible French allies and participation. It was natural for Mexican-Americans to feel both pride in what happened in Mexico, as well as celebrate its impact it had on preserving the American Union.

One hundred years later in the 1960’s, the Chicano movement picked up on its core respect for independence and freedom, values that are universal in appeal. And as the years went by, the history begins to fade and the celebrations take on a life and spirit of their own. Cinco de Mayo has become everyone’s celebration here, marked by great Mexican food and drink.

In my own life, Cinco de Mayo has its own history, relevance and joyous roots. Ten years ago today, I arrived in New York from Europe where I had spent the past 20 years. I went to graduate school in London, started my career in Switzerland, established my own roots, learned a batch of languages, and most important, gave birth to my children.

But coming to America has been the greatest transformation I could ever have imagined. Like most Latinos, I see the American Dream not only as the greatest ideal but also a living, practical roadmap of opportunity. I say this, despite the fact that when I came here with my two children, and married the most wonderful man, my greatest worry was whether my children could and would be accepted as American one day. Whether they and their Latino peers would push past the stereotypes. Whether they would be subject to the barriers, the obstacles and the stereotypes so many Latinos still find themselves struggling to overcome.

My concern for my children was, in fact, the impetus for my thirst for a data-driven understanding of how Latinos are perceived in the United States. And when I learned of the enormous contributions Latinos make, I also learned that the community did not have these facts at their fingertips, which played a role in its fragmentation and division.

If my belief in the American Dream attracted me to New York, my belief in America’s ability to adapt, advance and accept convinced me to stay. It also led me to take the exciting, albeit terrifying, step of founding the We Are All Human Foundation to help change perceptions of Latinos and help unite us as a community in order to build a unified perspective and agenda.

The opportunity for me to do this led me to the great Latino community that is actively driving change, individually and collectively. To a great community of people who are hard-working, proud of the values they continue to hold here — love of family, a belief in education and hard work, an entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, and optimism. And together, we are proving what I am saying more and more — With Latinos, everything is possible.

I see it with my own children. It’s incredible. They started school in the US not speaking more than a few words of English. But children are open and eager and filled with curiosity. My husband, Richard, is a kind, loyal and loving presence in their lives, who fully jumped in to support my parenting. To have him in their corner, guiding them, helping them navigate a new country, a new culture, a new language, new schools, was an essential piece that helped them move more quickly from the awkwardness of being new Latino immigrants to a place where they could make their dreams come true. This kind of support is exceptional. Richard helped paved the path for them, encouraged them, advised them, cheered them on and gave them a loving, joyous home in New York. He made us all a family. He gave them an incredible start.

Over these 10 years, we have watched them grow, become fine athletes and sportsmen, build strong friendships, find their intellectual and academic interests. And now, flap their own wings as they leave the nest. This fall, my youngest child heads off to college. Her older brother is heading into his junior year. They are 100% American. But they are also 100 percent Mexican and 100 percent European — that adds up to 300% — a cultural depth and wisdom well-suited for a world that lives beyond borders and geography. At the same time, I am also happy to see that they are still rooted in the community. Their values are totally an outcome of the values I was raised with and that I passed on to them.

I am now an American citizen — a rite of passage that those who have gone through understand how deeply meaningful, beautiful and life-affirming it is. It is not merely a recitation of an oath. It is a moment of becoming and belonging.

On this 10th anniversary of my arrival in New York, I have strong feelings about what Cinco de Mayo really means now. Its ubiquitous presence means that we have all arrived. We have made tremendous progress in our unity as a community. In our pride of being Latino. But, before we get carried away, there is still so much more to do.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter whether Cinco de Mayo has to do with chasing Napoleon out of Puebla, Mexico, or chasing tequila with a wedge of lime. What does matter is how we use this moment, how we open up discussion, how we find ways and create opportunities to talk about the power and potential of Latinos. We must continue to shine a light on our positive contributions that are driving prosperity and progress in the United States. Cinco de Mayo gives us a platform. Let’s make sure we use it. But have some great food and tequila, too!

And keep believing — with Latinos, everything is possible!