Kay:
Hey-yo Feliz Cinco de Mayo. It is May 5th episode 348 and May 5th is celebrated at least here in the US and in Mexico, as well as the Mexican Day of Independence.
Shi:
Yeah. So, hola Questers and let us give you your quote from today, which comes from a Mexican icon, Selena.
Kay:
Selena Quintanilla says, “I’m very proud of my root and ever since I was little, we played English music and country music aside from Tejano. It was something very natural for us.”
Shi:
Got to love Selena. I mean, her story is iconic. She’s burned into the history books, into the minds of many generations, and you’ve likely heard of her, listened to her music, loved her and we thought what better person to represent the celebration of the Mexican heritage?!
Kay:
Well, the queen of Tejano music herself, Selena really helped to kind of redefine Latino music in general, but she’s one of the most iconic Mexican Americans in history. We wanted to celebrate her here on Cinco de Mayo. Now, obviously, Cinco de Mayo is a holiday in honor of Mexican independence, and this quote from Selena, we love how it talked about blending her heritage, both from being an American and being a Mexican person and finding the places where she would listen to the English music and the country music and have these Tejano roots. We see this so much, the more that our country becomes blended.
Shi:
This is, I think one of those positive effects of globalization is seeing this continuous blending until we really become one race, the human race, and I do think that’s in our future as we continue to technologically advance. Seeing how Selena approaches this with the positive aspects of both sides. I’m proud of my roots, where I came from. I love that I have this heritage and this culture and this identity that I feel real kinship and connection to. I love that I had introduced an introduction to all kinds of diversity in different flavors and different styles and different places, really being kind of a pioneer of what that new human race looks like.
Kay:
Growing up in the restaurant industry Shila, and I had close proximity to people of Latino heritage and descent all throughout our growing up and being able to get to understand more about the culture, knowing of their holidays, understanding the differences between the countries. Who spoke Spanish, who spoke Portuguese, who spoke españa. It’s all different, the different dialects and things and it’s been really wonderful to have this front-row seat to such a wonderful, beautiful culture that we’re so proud that we get to not necessarily participate in, but to observe and to celebrate alongside those that we love.
Shi:
To honor and to love and enjoy and embrace. We do love some Mexican food, not just on Cinco de Mayo, every day. We just love Mexican food and I’m glad that you brought that up Kay because, in our restaurants, about 50% of our workforce is Latina and Latino and primarily from Mexico. So, getting to see that, just that heart and that beautiful connection, a part of me feels like we would be better off bringing more of that into our culture. That family support, that intergenerational connection, that closeness, and that sharing are truly beautiful and one of the things that I think makes that heritage so strong.
Kay:
I remember one of the very first times we ever got to participate in an employee’s, one of their quinceañeras or something. The party was off the chain. I have never seen so many people who knew each other, actually knew each other. Not like I know you because we invite you to weddings and extended parties. But, “l actually know you.” It was really beautiful and has been an amazing experience to get to see this. So, here on Cinco de Mayo, whether you are going down and having margaritas at your local Mexican restaurant, or maybe you’re celebrating in your own way, we challenge you that if you are not of Mexican heritage, that maybe you think about the ways that you can celebrate or honor Mexican heritage that isn’t just participating in a margarita or two, but learning something about the culture, understanding a little bit more about their way of life here on today’s Mexican Day of Independence.
Shi:
You could just go listen to a Selena song, and that would be awesome. I love her music and her quote for you today was, “I’m very proud of my roots and ever since I was little, we play in English, music and country music, aside from Tejano. It was something very natural for us.”
Kay:
Well, we’ve got a wonderful Cinco de Mayo Quest for you today. In honor of Mexican independence, we want you to take at least one quick minute to reflect on your love for your own country. Even if you don’t love everything about your country, (guess what? We don’t either), just take a moment to think about at least one thing you’re really grateful for to call your country home. I know that for us, that here in America, freedom of speech is a big deal. I’m very grateful that as women, we have a decent opportunity to make a life for ourselves. So, what are you grateful for in your homeland? Are you ready?
Kay & Shi:
Let’s quest!
