Let's Celebrate Our Diversity!
How you and your loved one can explore the benefits of our great national cultural diversity
Dear Caregivers,
This week many people across the U.S. celebrate a uniquely American holiday: Cinco de Mayo. The “Fifth of May'' celebration commemorates not Mexican Independence, as many American celebrants wrongly believe, but rather the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over the French Empire’s soldiers at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Scholars later determined that grateful Latinos in California were the first to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and its role in helping the Union win in the Civil War. (History lovers can find a full discussion here: How Cinco de Mayo Helped Prevent a Confederate Victory in the Civil War).
Though the reason for the holiday is lost for many Americans, their passion for celebrating the diversity of cultures in the U.S. is strong. Like St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo is observed far more in America than in the country in which it originated. This is why the holiday is uniquely American, because it reflects the joy of people all over the U.S. in celebrating our country’s remarkable array of cultures. Here are some tips to help you and your loved one explore the benefits of our great national cultural diversity.
Celebrate different foods:
From tacos al pastor, to Cubano sandwiches, to ceviche, Latin food has become a staple of the American diet. Celebrate with your favorite recipes -- or support your local taqueria -- and enjoy the foods of our southern neighbors. But whatever cuisine you eat, don’t forget to pack the protein.
Mark the day:
Celebrating an important anniversary, holiday, or remembrance means keeping track of the date. Check out this highly-rated, and highly-visible, clock-calendar to help your loved one keep track of the time and date, and check out the other helpful products in the NAN Marketplace.
Find your village:
The saying about how it takes a village to raise a child is just as apt when it comes to a family caregiver finding a diverse “village” of caregiving resources in the healthcare system. There is a lot we can all learn from each other as we go through our individual journeys as caregivers -- there are needs and feelings that are universal, and learning how others manage and navigate can often be hugely comforting. Here’s how to find your caregiving village!
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
"Some days there won’t be a song in your heart. Sing anyway.”
— Emory Austin
