Mexican pride: It's not just the tequila
Mexican tequila is good. So are the tacos. But there are other reasons why Mexicans are fiercely proud to be Mexican. Here are three reasons.
“Voz de la guitarra mia, al despertar la mañana, quiere cantar su alegría, a mi tierra Mexicana.” These are famous lyrics to the song “México Lindo y Querido” (“Beautiful and Beloved Mexico”), one of the most famous tributes to this country. These are also the lyrics that an odd fellow belted out recently as he walked by me (Karla) on the street.
“The voice of my guitar, as the morning rises, wants to sing its joy, to my Mexican land.” The singing man wasn’t like the musicians that approach your dinner table, perform a nostalgic Mexican ballad, and ask for a few coins for their unrequested performance (if you’ve dined in Mexico, you know this is a thing). This guy was singing for his pleasure, oblivious to my judging stare. My first thought was “He’s drunk”. But soon enough, the furrows on my forehead softened as I smiled: like him, I’m proud to be Mexican. And as I smiled, I wondered:
Why are Mexicans so proud to be Mexican? And, is everyone around the world this proud of their heritage?
Throughout my travels across North America, Europe, and a bit of Africa, I’ve observed that, in general, people are proud of where they’re from. But Mexicans take it to another level. The way we fiercely celebrate Mexican heroes feels extravagant compared to other countries.
As an example, below is a recent photo of a fireworks display we witnessed in San Miguel de Allende, where we are currently. This show honored the town’s namesake hero, independence insurgent, Ignacio Allende. The fireworks were the grand finale; we also had a symphony, a color guard ceremony, pyrotechnic “castles”, and a parade. A bit much? Not for Mexicans.
Mexicans also spend a staggering number of hours learning about our ancestry and historical events. Growing up, my school would gather on Monday mornings to pay tribute to our country, not just through color guards and the national anthem, but also the recitation (and sometimes reenactments) of key historical events. All of this pomp and circumstance may sound like brainwashing, but it helped my classmates and me better understand and appreciate our heritage.
This sense of pride reached a high point for me last weekend. Noah and I visited one of the most revered towns in Mexico’s history: Dolores Hidalgo, also known as “La Cuna de la Independencia”, the place where the fight for our independence from Spain began (here’s a quick recap). I’ve spent at least 400 hours of my childhood and adolescence learning about Mexican history (I did the math), so visiting this town was a BIG DEAL.
As soon as I saw the church “Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Dolores” in the main square, I shared the same giddiness as my Mexican history teacher’s in high school. El Profesor Miguel was right: Mexican history is cool! And there, in front of me, was one of its most important hallmarks: the church where Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest and the “father” of our independence, rang the bell in 1810 to call the people to arms against the ruling Spaniards.
Visiting Dolores Hidalgo was a highlight. I know I’m not the only Mexican who has visited this town and felt pride and gratitude towards our founders. I know I’m not the only Mexican whose heart swells up at the sound of someone yelling “Viva México!”. Many of us have a fierce love for this country. But why? Beyond our heroes, historical events, and good tequila, why else do Mexicans love this country so much? I’ve been thinking about this question since I moved back to Mexico and here are three of my theories:
#1: Mexicans love Mexico because we know it’s not easy to be Mexican.
Did you know that the meteorite that killed dinosaurs struck in Mexico? The universe decided to test the resiliency of this land early on!
Jokes aside, Mexicans are some of the most resilient people in the face of adversity. Where to begin? The Spanish, French, and the Americans all wanted Mexican land at some point (and the Americans took some we never got back). We had a dictator for 30 years. Ten thousand people died in the 1985 Mexico City earthquake. In 1994, we had a “Tequila Crisis” that had nothing to do with tequila and everything to do with the devaluation of Latin American currencies, spurred by the Mexican peso. In recent years, we’ve had a drug war, and we haven’t felt much love from Mexico’s most valued neighbor (the U.S.). Being Mexican isn’t easy.
And yet, Mexicans are blessed with “happiness assets”. What does this mean? According to Dan Buettner, an award-winning National Geographic journalist, Mexicans have a lot to teach humanity about happiness. For starters, we laugh a lot. Not just at ourselves, but we laugh about taxes, poverty, and those who oppress us (like politicians and crooked cops). We know that laughter is the best medicine, as we make up “albures” (double-entendre jokes) about anything that moves. Even in the poorest neighborhoods, you will hear happiness emanating from seemingly destitute homes: the sounds of laughter and music.
Another reason why we’re so happy is that we love to celebrate. Growing up, my American mother would chuckle at the number of holidays we’d have off from school. Last week, we learned that the spectacular fireworks show outside our window on a Wednesday night celebrated the birthday of San Miguel de Allende’s mayor. This country loves a good party and we won’t spare a dime (it is astonishing how much money Mexican families spend on quinceañeras, the traditional coming-of-age party thrown for 15-year old girls).
My point is: Mexicans have a lot to complain about, but we rarely do. Instead, we work hard, we find joy in the mundane, we count our blessings, and we laugh a lot. We’re a resilient nation and that’s something to be proud of.
#2: Mexicans love Mexico because we’ve made the world a better place.
My love for Mexico is worthy of pain: I got a tattoo last week with the words “Canta y no llores”, the lyrics to another very famous musical tribute to this country, “Cielito Lindo”. When I showed my mom my delicate fine-line new tattoo over video chat, she admired the artist’s steady hand and calligraphy, commenting on the artistry, creativity, and ingeniousness of Mexicans.
Mexico’s influence on the world is significant. For starters, the Aztecs (or “Mexica”) were one of the first civilizations to make education mandatory for all children, when other societies only reserved it for nobility. They also developed complex architecture and agricultural systems that are precursors to present-day systems. It is believed that the Olmecs (precursors to the Aztecs) were the first to turn the cacao plant into chocolate.
Mexicans have made an impact in more recent history too. For example, Mexican engineer Manuel González Flores invented earthquake-resistant foundations, which have saved modern-day buildings from total catastrophic collapses. Guillermo González Camarena patented systems and adapters in the 1940s that enabled television transmissions in color (imagine if we still had to watch in black and white!).
Mexico is also highly regarded for its contributions to the arts. We are famous for “Talavera” (colorful hand-painted pottery), some of the finest silver jewelry in the world, intricate embroidery, and of course, art in its gastronomic form, like tequila, mezcal, and Mexican dishes. In fact, Mexican food earned a spot in UNESCO’s world heritage assets to protect in 2010 (learn more about this designation and the food we’ve eaten while in Mexico in this article).
In sum, Mexicans deserve to be proud of the impactful contributions that our ancestors and fellow citizens have made to the world. Our food, art, music, cultural practices, and inventions have helped make the world a more efficient, colorful, and delicious place.
#3: Mexicans love Mexico because it’s home.
In Mexico, there is a general expectation that family comes first. Close-knit relationships within families are important for emotional and financial security, as well as for nurturing one’s social circle. I’ve attended my share of Mexican parties and weddings where the expectation was that everyone is invited - not just the long-lost aunt, but also the cousin of your cousin’s cousin.
This sense of family and looking out for one another extends from Mexican to Mexican too. Few moments are as sweet for a Mexican as when they meet a Mexican when traveling abroad. Your sense of bewilderment at being in a foreign land disappears for a moment as you meet your “Hermana” or “Hermano”, someone who understands your Mexican idiosyncracies in a strange land (like how we add lime juice and hot sauce to everything we eat).
Noah and I have also witnessed a sense of family and kindness among Mexicans in San Miguel de Allende in everyday moments. For example:
The innumerable times that Mexicans have handed a few coins to fellow Mexicans for no other reason other than their visible need for help
The way that Noah’s Spanish teacher brought in a woman who was selling candies door to door into her school so all students could buy her product
The time a boy pushed his disabled friend in a wheelchair to a spot on the street where it would be safer for him to ask for donations from drivers
The way that people greet each other warmly regardless of the time of day: “Buenos días”, “Buenas tardes,” “Hola, qué tal?” are greetings that can be heard constantly among complete strangers.
Mexico is the land where our family lives- whether it’s blood-related or whether it’s the family that shares our heritage. For that reason, we look out for one another and share an unbreakable bond. We’re proud to be Mexican not only because we know how to throw a good party and make good tequila, but because we share what matters: resilience, a legacy, and a sense of family. This is home.
Karla was proudly born and raised in Mexico but also loves her American heritage (her mother is American). Karla is a travel and fiction writer. She also coaches career-driven women to live their “someday” now. Karla is one-half of Aventura Road, a married couple of Mexican/American nomads who live in an RV and travel full-time. Karla writes, while Noah photographs.
Follow Noah and Karla’s adventures on Instagram.
Thank you for a beautiful example of positive, life-affirming national pride, I loved reading this. Coming from a corner of Europe where nationalism kind of obliterated the sense of community and pride of our common achievements, I tend to assume this is true for everywhere else--what a preconception! What's more, you truly inspire one to long to visit Mexico.
I loved this! Made me so nostalgic so to go back. I think it's that celebratory culture that made me fall in love. And obviously the food.