Cinco de Mayo is not just another holiday, it’s a powerful reminder of a long-forgotten bond between the Black and Brown communities that is often overlooked in history books. In a time when our country is plagued by deep-seated division and hatred, we need to remember that forming alliances is crucial to ensure the survival of our democracy.
On that fateful day in the Battle of Puebla, Mexico on May 5, 1862, Blacks fleeing slavery in the U.S. fought alongside Mexicans defeating the French military despite being outnumbered and running low on ammunition. The ragtag band of fighters battled heroically against the French, knowing that the fate of their own freedom hung in the balance.
Estimates of the number of Black soldiers present range from several hundred to over a thousand. This was due in part to Mexico’s decision to abolish slavery unilaterally after gaining independence from Spain in 1810. Blacks fleeing enslavement from the U.S. sought refuge in Mexico and were often fast-tracked with Mexican citizenship if they joined the Mexican army. During the Battle of Puebla, they were not only defending their newly adopted homeland but also their hard-won freedom.
When Mexican soldiers and their Black comrades stopped the French, they changed the course of history. Although the French regained control of Mexico the following year, historians say that the one-year delay prevented France from providing arms to the confederacy in exchange for southern cotton. If they had been successful in providing the South with arms shipments, the Civil War could have had a different outcome, or at least, been prolonged.
When the French were defeated at Puebla, there were parades in the streets of Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, to celebrate Mexico’s underdog victory. “Free” Blacks attended those parades recognizing that the Mexican conquest impacted their own fight for freedom in the U.S.
Given the current chaos of racial and political division, it is imperative that we recognize the interconnectedness of our struggles. As we celebrate Cinco de Mayo, we must not forget that this day is not just a commemoration of a battle won, but a solemn reminder that we must unite in the face of oppression. The fight against anti-gay, anti-immigrant, anti-woman, and anti-People of Color laws championed by the right-wing political party can only be won through the power of solidarity. The unwavering bravery of the Black and Brown soldiers who fought side by side is a testament to the fact that alliances matter and that by standing together, we can prevail. This is the lesson that I cherish, as I raise a toast to the heroes of Puebla on this Cinco de Mayo.
