In The Community
Recent data from the Consumer Price Index (CPI) revealed that prices increased by 3.2 percent between February 2023 and February 2024. In terms of inflation, that’s a notable decrease from the 9.1 percent increase recorded in June 2022. However, inflation being down doesn’t necessarily mean the cost of living is getting lower. Quite the contrary–factors like income stagnation, transportation expenses, housing costs, and debt burden, among others, make living in the U.S. very expensive. In fact, The U.S. is currently the 20th most expensive country to live in according to a report from CEOWORLD Magazine.
With this in mind, it’s not surprising that Americans seem to be flocking to Latin America to retire, work, enjoy a lower cost of living, and even invest. Looking at Mexico City alone, the number of Americans who applied for residency visas or renewed them rose by 70% between 2019 and 2022, as reported by CNBC. It’s worth noting that the influx of Americans, including digital nomads, has sparked gentrification concerns among locals.
The disparity in income between Americans and locals increases tensions, leading to rising rents and displacement of native residents. While Airbnb and the Mexican government promote the city as a remote work hub, locals demand regulation to preserve their communities.
Another thing worth noting is that while Americans who relocate to Latin America in search of a more comfortable life are called “expats” (short for expatriate), Latinos who do the same by relocating to the United States are called “immigrants.” But what makes one an expat and the other an immigrant? The basic definition of expat is a person who lives outside of their native country temporarily, usually referring to workers. With this definition, it follows that any person who leaves their country to work in another for a time would be an expat.
In reality, that’s not the case and expat is usually a term that’s reserved for western white people. For Latinos, Asians, Arabs, and Africans, the term tends to be immigrant, no matter the context.
Technically speaking, there is a difference between the terms expat and immigrant. The immigrant lives permanently in another country and may seek citizenship, while the expat lives and/or works in another country. They may or may not stay indefinitely. However, the distinction isn’t made based on whether the terms are used correctly or not, the distinction is made based on social class, economic status, country of origin, and education level. The terms have become hierarchical and implicit bias is the reason why Westerners are always expats, and everyone else is an immigrant.
You could be a highly educated Latino living in the U.S. because you were sent to work there in a multinational organization, and you wouldn’t be perceived as an expat - you would be perceived as an immigrant. At best, you would be perceived as a qualified immigrant. Were you a white person, whether you’re educated or not, whether you have a high-paying job or not, there’s no doubt you would be perceived as an expat across the board. That’s how race, education level, and income are used as indicators to distinguish between people.
At the end of the day, the fact is that expats are immigrants. The real difference is that they’re leaving their country because they can. Because they want to work abroad, want to take advantage of Latin America’s lower cost of living to take the most advantage of their dollars, or simply because they want a change of scenery. Most Latin Americans and other people of color who leave their countries do so out of necessity because the alternative of staying is unsustainable for them. Whether that’s because of poverty, food insecurity, violence, political persecution, or even war, the fact is that they leave to truly seek a better life.
As of 2024, there are 20.4 million Latino immigrants living in the U.S. As for international immigrants, the count was nearly 46.2 million in 2022. While the word immigrant may carry some negative connotations due to implicit bias and systemic racism may be reserved for people of color, being an immigrant is nothing to be ashamed of. People from all over the world and from all walks of life partake in immigration. Especially now that many are embracing a more nomadic lifestyle with the rise of remote work. As such, it’s important to recognize subtly racist distinctions and call them out to prevent the prevalence of the “them versus us” narrative.
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Contrary to what many Americans believe, Cinco de Mayo isn’t Mexico’s Independence Day. May 5 is a date that commemorates the military victory of the Battle of Puebla, where Mexican troops held off invading French forces in 1862. It was a surprising victory because the French were one of the most powerful armies in the world, so their forces were much more formidable. That’s why the Battle of Puebla has become a powerful underdog story of triumph over adversity and it made a big difference, especially for Mexicans living in California.
@eres.una.maravilla It’s Cinco de Mayo which means it’s that time of year to remind everyone that it’s NOT Mexican Independence Day. 🙃 Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla which happened on May 5, 1862. 6,000 French soldiers attacked Puebla and General Ignacio Zaragoza fought against them with 2,000 Mexican soldiers and Mexico won! Did you know that most of Mexico doesn’t celebrate this holiday? So if you’re going out today make sure to support Mexican owned businesses and please don’t wear ridiculous costumes. Gracias! 🇲🇽❤️ #cincodemayo please stop saying #cincodedrinko #5demayo #cincodemayo🇲🇽 #supportmexicanownedbusinesses #mexicanowned #mexicanownedbusiness
Outside of Puebla, Mexico doesn’t widely celebrate Cinco de Mayo, but in the U.S., things are very different. Mexicans have upheld the celebration, making it an integral part of their culture. Every year, over 500 cities in the U.S. celebrate Cinco de Mayo, and Los Angeles stands out among them because they always go all out. The day is celebrated with parades, street fairs, block parties, mariachi competitions, and more.
However, as time has gone on, Cinco de Mayo has become wildly Americanized, which in this case is a synonym for commercialized. The holiday is now less about the history behind the date and what it means for Mexicans, and more about consumerism. For most Americans, Cinco de Mayo is tacos and beer day, but they don’t even know what the holiday stands for.
@peptobizmuth It’s awesome to celebrate it but at least know what it is! 🇲🇽 Cinco de Mayo is not actually Mexican Independence Day, that was 50 years earlier and in September. Although Mexico won the Battle of Puebla against the French, the French won the Franco-Mexican war & occupied the area for the next 5 years. Cinco de Mayo isn’t a federal holiday in Mexico, so banks and most businesses are open as usual. It’s not a major holiday in Mexico and it seems like it’s a bigger deal in the States when majority of those getting wasted tonight have no idea what they’re “celebrating”. #mexico #mexico🇲🇽 #cinco #cincodemayo
With nearly endless access to information at one’s fingertips nowadays, ignorance is an excuse that no longer holds much weight. If they cared enough about the culture to educate themselves, they would. Americans’ celebration of Cinco de Mayo is not only shallow, but also hypocritical, as Mexican immigrants, Mexican Americans, and Latinos are generally facing an increase in hostility from some in the dominant white community, and crime rates are now reflecting an increase in hate crimes.
The aggression against Mexicans has even been exported to their own soil, with reports of U.S. tourists and migrants in Mexico and other Latin American countries attempting to diminish or fundamentally change their traditions and culture.
Cinco de Mayo: What Happened at the Battle of Puebla?
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla, which has a significant place in Mexican history. In the early 1860s, Mexico was grappling with internal and external turmoil. President Benito Juárez, trying to steer the nation forward, declared a moratorium on foreign debt payments. This angered European countries, with Spain and England withdrawing from the moratorium. Meanwhile, France, ruled by Napoleon III, had other plans for Mexico–turning it into a French colony.
At the time, the United States was going through its Civil War, so France’s intervention in Mexico posed an issue. According to the Monroe Doctrine, a U.S. policy, European colonization or puppet monarchs were actively resisted, but the Union was focused on the ongoing war. If they did nothing and Puebla came under French rule, Napoleon could establish trade with the Confederacy. On the other hand, sending help to Mexico could help France establish an alliance with the Confederacy. This is how the Battle of Puebla became intersected with the broader American context.
Despite being outnumbered by at least 2,000 French soldiers, Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza triumphed at Puebla, intensifying their sense of patriotism. In California, Mexicans saw this victory as a symbol of a shared struggle for democracy and liberty. The defeat of the French was a big blow to the Confederacy's hopes of support from a French-controlled Mexico, which gave the Union a boost.
@btswithdillon Cinco de mayo marks the anniversary of Mexico’s victory over the second French empire at the the battle of Puebla in 1862. And no, it is not Mexico's Independence Day! 🇲🇽 #cincodemayo #5demayo #mexicantiktok #mexicanculture #mexico #historytok
The victory, however, was short-lived. The French re-grouped and, a year later, defeated 29,000 Mexicans and made their way to Mexico City, where they attempted to establish a second empire. Not to be deterred, Mexican forces continued fighting and took down an estimated 11,000 French troops with their guerrilla tactics. The French withdrew from the country in 1867 as it faced threats from Prussia in Europe and America if they didn’t withdraw.
Over time, the symbolism of the first Battle of Puebla intersected with bigger movements in the U.S., such as the fight for civil rights. This is one reason Cinco de Mayo isn’t just about Mexican pride, it’s also about the contributions Mexicans and Latinos have made to U.S. history.
Chicano activists in the 60s and 70s revitalized Cinco de Mayo as a symbol of Indigenous Mexican resistance and a call for social justice. However, in recognition of the holiday’s potential to profit from the Latino community, a demographic that has been consistently growing in the U.S., big businesses, especially beer companies, started commercializing Cinco de Mayo. The commercialization started in the 80s and, since then, it has muddled the true meaning of the holiday.
The Commodification of Latino Culture
Today, there’s no denying that Cinco de Mayo is centered around tacos, beer, and tequila. Looking at beer alone, Quartz reported that the Beer Institute declared Cinco de Mayo one of the biggest holidays for beer sales in the U.S. According to the same report, 2022 saw beer volume sales rise by 8% and commercial sales rise by 12% during the week of Cinco de Mayo compared to an average week at any other time of the year. Moreover, Cinco de Mayo has been shown to surpass the Super Bowl and St. Patrick’s Day in beer sales.
Cinco de Mayo also boosts produce sales. According to Produce Pay, this holiday is the second-highest consumption date for avocados, second only to the Super Bowl. It’s a highly profitable day for Mexican restaurants as well, whether they’re authentic or not, because they see a big increase in revenue on that day. This can be great news for Latino-owned restaurants, but it’s not uncommon for Latinos to feel torn about it.
In a society so driven by consumerism and instant gratification, the historical significance of Cinco de Mayo has been pushed to the sidelines. A date that was once a symbol of resistance is now centered around marketing and an excuse for corporations to capitalize on Latino culture while bolstering racist stereotypes in their campaigns. Profit has diluted this piece of Mexican heritage, turning it into one big party and highlighting nothing about its historical significance.
Cultural advocates highlight every year that it’s important to remember that while the holiday can certainly be enjoyed with tacos, beers, and margaritas, it’s also important not to forget the inspirational roots of resistance and overcoming against all odds.
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On April 14, gardeners and lucky people with green thumbs celebrated National Gardening Day. While it doesn’t usually garner a lot of attention, National Gardening Day is focused on encouraging others to get into some plants or into a garden to start their journey. We propose it should also be a time to honor the special skill and knowledge gardeners have, especially in the Latino community, where our connection to the earth is such a big part of the culture.
For far too long, gardening in the United States has been associated with Latinos, mostly Mexicans, in a very stereotypical way. While their work may be appreciated at a base level, there’s little to no recognition of the profound skill and dedication Latino gardeners bring to their craft.
After all, gardening isn’t just about trimming hedges or mowing lawns; it’s more complex than that, requiring a deep understanding of horticulture. Anyone who has done it will tell you that growing the kind of stunning garden that makes your neighbors jealous is hard work. It requires a certain kind of intelligence, known as naturalistic intelligence, which is the ability to understand and work with natural elements.
People with naturalistic intelligence are very sharp about identifying patterns and understanding what nature needs. This is why people who have this kind of intelligence are so good at not just gardening, but also farming, conservation, and more. Granted, gardening may not always be a calling for Latinos living in the U.S. Sometimes, it’s a means to an end, but there’s no denying that Latino gardeners have a connection to nature and know what they’re doing.
Latino gardeners, while often overlooked or underestimated, are responsible for making communities brighter and more beautiful by transforming ordinary spaces into thriving ones. Many of them have sharpened their skills through generations of family tradition, which makes their work even more special, having the skills passed down from their parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents and beyond.
Behind every meticulously manicured lawn or flourishing garden bed there are hours of hard work and passion for nurturing the earth. Latino gardeners often start their days before dawn, familiarizing themselves with every area they work with. Why? Because beautiful gardens are achieved by making the right choices not just for the land, but also for the owner.
Gardening is all about creating harmony and linking people to nature. If you really think about it, gardening is extremely focused on connection. The land is connected to the soil, the soil is connected to the plant, and the plant is connected to carers who help it thrive—not just the gardener but also the homeowners who continue the gardener’s work.
As we reflect on National Gardening Day, let’s take the opportunity to honor the invaluable contributions of Latino gardeners. Let’s recognize their expertise, their dedication, and their role in shaping our communities. In doing so, let’s also challenge the stereotypes that have marginalized them for far too long and celebrate the rich knowledge and culture they bring to the table.
Not to mention the love that many of them pour into the land; a land that isn’t their own, making that love even more worthy of appreciation.
So, here's to Latino gardeners blessed with green thumbs; the unsung heroes of many a garden across the United States!
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