First and foremost, I trust all had a great 2026 Mother’s Day Weekend.
As many of you are aware, May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
However, it also has a celebration called Cinco de Mayo, which many people of Mexican descent celebrate.
Last week, during one of my Toastmasters meetings, I asked several of my Toastmasters what Cinco de Mayo meant to them. To my surprise, many didn’t have answers.
Although I’ve attended Cinco de Mayo celebrations at various times in my life and understood what it was, they did not.
It was being well read in my history, and I was able to educate others in the process.
There’s a word called “Metacognition,” simply put, you don’t know what you don’t know.
This had me thinking about what they are teaching in school, and how much people know about other people’s history.
Because I’m aware that the Hidalgo Insurrection, which was ignited on September 16, 1810, and was spearheaded by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest.
Knowing what Cinco de Mayo represents, I can better understand the importance of resilience and resistance for the Mexican people.
The Role of the Hidalgo Insurrection in the Mexican Independence Movement
We take pride in our own history as people of color and wonder why people don’t understand us.
Having traveled to various countries around the world while in the military, I embraced learning about others’ cultures.
I had the opportunity to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month on multiple occasions in September and October.
“First observed in 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson as Hispanic Heritage Week and later broadened into 30 days and enacted into law by President Ronald Reagan on Aug. 17, 1988, Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 every year. The month is a recognition and celebration of Hispanic people, including those in the armed forces, as well as first responders, as there are many unique and notable Hispanic service members, police, firefighters, and paramedics all deserving of our honor.”
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage in the Armed Forces
Many of us have probably worked alongside Hispanic people, yet don’t know their culture.
Granted, Cinco de Mayo focuses on people from Mexico, while the word Hispanic encompasses a broader spectrum of people.
“The Census Bureau’s code list contains over 30 Hispanic or Latino subgroups.”
About the Hispanic Population and its Origin
We should not all be naïve about what goes on around us.
Today, I challenge you to think about the people you meet each day and the pride they take in their culture.
“If you read a lot of books, you’re considered well-read. But if you watch a lot of TV, you’re not considered well-viewed.” Lily Tomlin
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.” – George R.R. Martin.
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn.
Thank you for your gentle admonishment concerning the need to be well read about history beyond that which is directly connected with your culture and unique to your heritage. Americans are often critiqued as being woefully uninformed about the history and cultures of people external to the United States to include the geographical locations of many countries in the world. That lack of awareness and shallow understanding make one susceptible to stereotypes and being misled either intentionally or unintentionally. I enjoyed celebrating Cinco de Mayo this year and that enjoyment was only enhanced by having knowledge about the history that is being celebrated. As you suggested in you comments, one need not travel to gain understanding and appreciation for other cultures in the world. One needs only to read.
Sam,
Greetings, I had no idea that it would be taken as a “gentle admonishment.” I’m aware that we live in a society that picks and chooses what to read.
The sad part is that history repeats itself, and one needs to know one’s history, regardless of skin color. Thank you so much for your input into today’s blog on being well-read.
McKinley
Your encouragement to understand other people’s cultures and history is well-taken, McKinley. I recently finished listening to all 17 hours’ audiobook of the 1619 Project and and am currently 75% through listening to Mother Emmanuel. This is helping me to understand things and nuances I did not know before. It’s a lot to process, yet that understanding helps me to better appreciate the current re-districting issues in Louisiana and Alabama. It’s hard to watch, again, important voices being drowned out. There’s not enough years left for me on this earth to fully grasp the perspective of others, but I make it my lifelong mission to work toward that. It helps me to be a better listener and observer. I always appreciate your thinking MC3.
Jane,
Greetings, I applaud you for listening and understanding the stories behind the 1619 Project. Of course, you know that I have read it as well. Nikole Hannah-Jones and team did a phenomenal job putting it together. As one who understands Critical Race Theory and this country, and now living in Alabama, I often see it play out. Nonetheless, I’m encouraged to read ‘Mother Emanuel’ by Kevin Sack in the near future. I will add it to the list of books to read.
Thanks for sending me the title.
McKinley