Cinco De Mayo: Frida Style

click on this collage for a closer look!

Cinco De Mayo, commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. and is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla. It is not, as many people think, Mexico's Independence Day, which is actually September 16. In the United States we observe Cinco De Mayo by celebrating Mexican culture and those significant to it’s sovereignty. Sadly, I think our celebrations have little to do with our pride in our Latino neighbors.

“While politicians tonight toast Latinos with margaritas as they dip their chips into mild salsa they would be wise to remember that the battle that is being commemorated was one won by an outnumbered and grossly underestimated people determined to maintain their freedoms and independence. A tough lot to beat, just ask the French.” Mario Solis-Marich

As for me, I will celebrate my wildy underestimated neighbors both as Americans and Mexicans. Yes, while munching on chips and HOT salsa, but also knowing full well their incontrovertible existence into what for many years before and has now become a giant part of our American culture.

What better icon of Mexico and self-determination than the artist Frida Kahlo? It’s hard for me to choose which Frida to show you, so I will show you them all; The adoring wife/the mustached lesbian, the vapid invalid/the eager revolutionary, the tempting seductress/the discouraging muse, the focused collector/the prolific journalist, the joyous housewife/the Tehuana fashionista, the willing student/the rebellious child, the patriotic Mexican/the communist militant, the gentle animal lover/the motherless mercenary, the gregarious host/the recoiling superstar and the celebrated painter/the magnificent painting.

Portrait of Frida in the center was illustrated by me! Kamie Kahlo