Cinco De Mayo And The Republican National Committee:
05/05/2008
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This morning, I received an e-mail from the Republican National Committee [Send them mail]:
WASHINGTON — RNC Chairman Robert M. ”Mike” Duncan released the following statement today:

”Today, we honor the brave soldiers who fought and prevailed at the Battle of the Puebla in 1862. Though greatly outnumbered, their small army won in the name of liberty and freedom for Mexico. We commemorate on this day the many contributions Mexican Americans have made and are making everyday.

”As a Party, we commit ourselves to the issues that affect all Americans, including Hispanics and offer solutions that support small businesses, diversity, and education. With Senator John McCain as our presumptive presidential nominee, our Party will continue to support the American Dream and offer opportunities to make it a reality.”

There are many things I could say about this statement. I could also note that this was a minor symbolic victory for the Mexicans. I could note that the French continued to fight for four years in Mexico, before US intervention encouraged them to withdraw. I could also ask why it is the job of America to take sides in a minor battle from over a hundred years ago where our allies in France, Spain, and Britain were trying to reclaim a debt that Mexico refused to pay. For those who say that Cinco de Mayo is no different than St. Patrick's Day, I could note that I didn’t get an e-mail from the RNC celebrating the contributions of Irish Americans—who are not calling for Boston to secede and join Ireland.

Instead, I want to talk about another battle that took place on May 5, 1862 Over 70,000 brave Union and Confederate troops fought at the Battle of Williamsburg for what they both believed to be the noble causes of the Union and Independence respectively. There were 3,962 causalities on both sides–compared to 236 Mexican casualties in the Battle of Puebla.

You won’t hear anything about this from the Republican National Committee. Of course this was a relatively small battle in the totality of the American Iliad, but I didn’t get an e-mail on Lee-Jackson day either. The most you’ll hear from John McCain is that their Confederate flag is a ”offensive” and a symbol of ”racism and slavery.”

The RNC’s celebration of Mexico’s ”independence day” is done at the expense of American Independence. White Southerners are the most loyal Republicans. This is just one example of how the Republican Party is just as much opposed to their interests as it was in 1862.

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