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Podcast: The forgotten, radical roots of Cinco de Mayo

Pope Francis wearing a sombrero.
Pope Francis, an Argentine, dons a sombrero he received from a Mexican journalist.
(Alessandro Di Meo / Pool photo)
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Few take Cinco de Mayo seriously. For many of us, today is about restaurant specials on nachos and margaritas. Too many white people wearing sombreros and fake mustaches.

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But for Axios reporter Russell Contreras, May 5 takes him back to growing up in Houston, where a forgotten riot over the police death of a Mexican American in 1978 turned Cinco de Mayo from farce to reflection. He talks about the forgotten, radical roots of the holiday loved by few and celebrated mostly with drinko.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guest: Russell Contreras, Axios reporter covering justice and race

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About The Times

“The Times” is made by columnist Gustavo Arellano, producer Shannon Lin, senior producers Steven Cuevas and Denise Guerra, executive producer Abbie Fentress Swanson and editor Julia Turner. Our engineer is Mario Diaz and our theme song was composed by Andrew Eapen.
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