The Derby, Gonzo Journalism, & A Note on Cinco de Mayo Part A: The Derby While we don’t have anything as “glamorous” & insane as the “running of the bulls” in the U.S. we do have “The Run for the Roses,” an annual tradition filled with pomp and weird circumstance that has occurred every year since 1875. I’m talking about the Kentucky Derby, of course, which will transpire in Louisville, Kentucky tomorrow for the 143rd time. Post time is 6:43 p.m. (ET) and a horse named Classic Empire is currently a 10-1 favorite, if you are inclined to bet. While I am not a horse racing fan, I generally do pay attention to the “Derby” so I will know the name of the 3 year-old colt that may become the next “Triple Crown” winner. To be honest, I got caught up in the Secretariat madness of 1973 (my wife at the time was a big racing fan and a bit of a gambler) but only pay attention each year because I am a sport fan and the notion of any “athlete” (including a horse) winning a “Slam” or a “Crown” is interesting to me. So, while I do not believe golf is a sport (it is a game, like bowling or billiards --- if you can smoke, drink, & eat while you are participating and there is no one playing defense or directly competing with you --- like a race --- it is not a “sport”), I still felt compelled to watch Tiger Woods, year after year, try to win the “Grand Slam” of golf. As a tennis fan, I am always interested in whether Serena Williams or Rafael Nadal can win the tennis “Grand Slam” and, likewise, I'm drawn to horse racing’s “Triple Crown” (The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes). Of course the entire spectacle that surrounds the Derby --- the crazy hats, the free-flowing bourbon, the legendary “hot browns,” and even mint julep balls --- are as much a part of the weekend (always the first in May since 1931, when the notion of the “Triple Crown” was institutionalized by the media) as the race itself. As significant, the Kentucky Derby provided the subject matter for the seminal piece of Gonzo journalism: The Kentucky Derby is Depraved and Decadent, by Hunter S. Thompson. Part B: The Genesis of Gonzo Upon reading the June, 1970 edition of Scanlon’s Monthly, a British based periodical, Boston Globe magazine editor Bill Cardoso wrote that Thompson’s coverage of the Kentucky Derby (with illustrations by Ralph Steadman) was “pure Gonzo journalism” (wiki) If you look up “Gonzo journalism” on Wikipedia, you will find: Gonzo journalism is a style of journalism that is written without claims of objectivity, often including the reporter as part of the story via a first-person narrative. The word "gonzo" was first used in 1970 to describe an article by Hunter S. Thompson. It is an energetic first-person participatory writing style in which the author is a protagonist, and it draws its power from a combination of social critique and self-satire. If you care to read the article (http://brianb.freeshell.org/a/kddd.pdf) you will note that right from the byline --- “Written under duress by Hunter S. Thompson” and “Sketched with eyebrow pencil and lipstick by Ralph Steadman” --- this is no ordinary piece of reporting. Thompson, of course, had already gained notoriety for his participant/observer “reporting” in his best-selling book Hell’s Angels (1966) but with the 1970 Kentucky Derby article the floodgates for a new style of journalism (chronicled by Tom Wolfe and E.W. Johnson {eds.} in The New Journalism, 1973, an anthology of writing by a number of prominent writers using a personal approach to reporting). Thompson’s surging popularity after the Kentucky Derby piece (as well as Steadman’s unique illustrations) became the North Star of the style. 1971’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas made Thompson and Steadman “Gonzo” celebrities, creating not only lifelong careers but also scores of imitators in their wake. If you somehow have never read Thompson’s work, you should. Starting with the Kentucky Derby piece (http://brianb.freeshell.org/a/kddd.pdf) would be fitting and appropriate. If you have read Thompson but haven’t read that particular article, I’m sure you’ll find it as energetic and vibrant as it was in 1970. Steadman’s illustrations (and the lipstick and eyebrow pencil story is related in the article) are equally engaging, displaying his unique and powerful style. Read and enjoy! Part C: Cinco de Mayo Contrary to popular (gringo) opinion, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day. It is also not celebrated in Mexico, particularly, but is a “holiday” unique, originally, to California and later the U.S. generally. The day was originally celebrated after the 1862 Battle of Puebla was won by Mexico, defeating an overwhelming invading French army. Cinco de Mayo, then, became a rallying cry for Mexicans (similar to “Remember the Alamo”). The victory at Puebla was short-lived, however, and the French ultimately took over Mexico for several years, under the “leadership” of Emperor Maxmilian I, appointed by French Emperor Napoleon III before the French, facing the pressure from Prussia, withdrew and Benito Juarez re-established Mexican rule on June 5, 1867 (executing Maxmilian in the process). Cinco de Mayo had become an annual celebration in California by then. Historian Justo Sierra noted that the French defeat at Puebla (in 1862) prevented the French from conquering Mexico sooner and possibly aiding the Confederacy in the U.S. Civil War. The holiday gained momentum across the U.S. starting with the Chicano movement for Mexican rights in the 1940’s and grew in popularity as civil rights causes escalated throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s. So, while you’re downing your Corona with lime, or your Modelo, or a “bold” Tecate, please remember you’re celebrating the victory at Puebla --- where a disproportionate number of excellent New York City chefs come from --- and not Mexican Independence Day. Feliz cinco de mayo!
2 Comments
Senor Guapo Jonez
5/5/2017 03:05:34 pm
Prrreeeeettttyy sure Benito Juarez pitched relief for the N.Y. Metropolitan baseball club from 1977-1993...a lefty ( "southpaw") used in middle relief, he had a 5.04 ERA over 2,017 innings. On May 19, 1987 he came on in the third inning and threw 104 pitches through the next 7, only to lose in extra innings 17-14. He was subsequently plagued by arm troubles the rest of his career., limited to mop up duties and, to remain on the big league club, groundskeeping after games.
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BJ
5/6/2017 09:41:33 am
Can always count on you to dredge up that great Mets history! Will never forget Benito's contribution to the Metropolitans.
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