Here’s something I wrote back in 2006, on the heels of the first "day without an immigrant" on May 1st here in SoCal. I think it holds up well enough to be repeated…

May 5th, or "Cinco de Mayo" commemorates the victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza over the French expeditionary forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. In recent years, Cinco de Mayo has risen in popularity in the United States, equaling St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween, and Superbowl Sunday as an occasion to gather with friends, enjoy an adult beverage or two, and eat a special meal. However, many Americans are made uncomfortable this year by the prospect of celebrating a Mexican national holiday just four days after hundreds of thousands of Mexican citizens, living and working in the United States in violation of immigration laws, attempted to harm the U.S. economy and manipulate the nation’s lawmakers through boycotts, work stoppages, and protest marches.

Rather than abandoning the opportunity to have a good party this May 5th, American citizens can instead participate in Immigrants’ Day (known informally as "Backlash Day"), in which we celebrate the many contributions legal immigrants have made to our country. Instead of drinking cervezas, we can enjoy a pint of Guiness, crack open an ice-cold Sapporo, or enjoy a Sam Adams. Rather than serving tortilla chips and salsa, the menu can include bratwurst, teriyaki, pasta, spring rolls, or even good old hot dogs and burgers.

Immigrants’ Day is also a good chance to say, "thank you" to local businesses, many of which are owned and operated by first-generation legal immigrants. While major chain stores like Ralph’s supported protests by accommodating absent workers with days off, it’s likely that your neighborhood’s corner market or convenience store was still open for business as usual. When you pick up your party supplies, be sure to tell them how much you appreciate their service to the community, and tell them about Immigrants’ Day.

Other ways to celebrate:

• Buy a lawnmower
• Pay a neighborhood kid to do yard work
• Prepare a meal for your family instead of picking up fast food
• Give the housekeeper the day off and vacuum the carpet yourself
• Spend time with your children instead of paying someone to raise them
• Visit Little Italy, Chinatown, or another ethnic neighborhood in your city
• Take your car to a fundraiser car wash for a local high school or charity
• Fly the flag of your family’s country of origin alongside the Stars & Stripes
• Learn all four verses to The Star Spangled Banner (bet you didn’t know there were that many, eh?)

 

 

Help send a message this May 5th - We’re a nation of immigrants, not a nation of criminals.