Coming from the East Coast and all, the National Public Radio Alt.Latino peeps needed to come here to get the real California deal on Cinco de Mayo. They called on two local treasures: Gustavo Arellano, editor of OCWeekly.com, and East Los rockers La Santa Cecilia:
This week we bring ourselves to that most bicultural of holidays — Cinco de Mayo. As we discuss in the show, there is a question about whether or not this is just another opportunity for happy hour specials or store-wide sales: “Get your new bed during our Mexican Mattresstravaganza!!!”
We invited writer Gustavo Arellano to help us shed some light on the issue. He has tackled this theme before in his syndicated column Ask A Mexican.
Here on the East Coast, the Cinco de Mayo experience is different from what it is in California. It feels much less connected to themes of cultural pride and more like an excuse to drink margaritas.
But ni modo (whatever*). It is what it is and it’s there for us to do with as we please. Take over a park and have dancers, live music and food booths? Orale, dale gas, vato (right on, bro).
More Gustavo on POCHO:
PochoCast #3: Alcaraz and Madrigal and Arellano on tacos and art and identity
Pocho Ocho reasons Gustavo Arellano should win a Pulitzer Prize
More La Santa Cecilia on POCHO:
Music Video: La Santa Cecilia covers rock classic ‘Tainted Love’
Direct link to the show:
The Truth About Cinco de Mayo
* They got this wrong. The correct translation is “whatevers.”