LUBBOCK, Texas -
We all like an excuse to celebrate and there's a big one coming up, Cinco de Mayo.
We asked Texas Tech students if they knew what Cinco de Mayo is and how they planned to celebrate.
"Yeah it's the fifth of May, it's Mexican independence right?," one Texas Tech student said.
"It's the Mexican independence day, something like that," said another Tech student when asked about Cinco de Mayo.
"Day of the dead?" one asked.
Not exactly.
"The Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of the Battle of Puebla and the defeat of the French in that battle," said Miguel Levario, an associate professor of history at Texas Tech..
One battle within the Franco-Mexican War. The associate professor of history, Miguel Levario, said it's a battle of underdogs defending the marginalized.
"The Mexican army when they defeated the French were a poor army, they weren't well equipped, they weren't well dressed," Levario said.
Though that message Levario said is lost particularly when celebrated in the U.S.
"Gonna get trashed, yeah definitely," said another Red Raider. "It's the thing to do, it's Cinco de Mayo. You're out here at university, what else is there to do?"
"Probably going to get real drunk on Thursday, and then on Friday and Saturday just before exams," another student said.
"Probably getting drunk and the real reason is that it's a Mexican holiday that Americans use to drink," said another.
However, the holiday is not that big in Mexico.
"It is still a national holiday but it's not necessarily regarded as one of the more significant ones, for lack of better terms," Levario said. "It is definitely, I would argue, an American holiday or a U.S. holiday that's become more popular in recent years obviously through commercial promotion."
That commercialization leads to a misguided use of stereotypical props.
"Number one you can start by not passing around those sombreros that Mexicans don't wear. Wearing those hand held mustaches," Levario said.
The best way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo is without the stereotypes.
"Also educating yourself on what the celebration is instead of taking it for granted as an excuse to go drink some tequila, some Corona, some Tecate or whatever," Levario added.
Remember to drink responsibly and wisely having full knowledge as to what you're raising your glass to.
"The real reason is that it's a Mexican holiday that Americans use to drink."
