QUE VIVA el Cinco de Mayo!

(From Mestiza Leadership International)

QUE VIVA el Cinco de Mayo! By Juana Bordas
What does Cinco de Mayo have to do with ME?

To understand this, you must know your history. When the French were driven out of Mexico, it was the last time an army from a foreign continent invaded the Americas.Cinco de Mayo celebrates the freedom and liberty of all of us - and our entire hemisphere. These two ideals are cornerstones of our democracy. But there is another historical twist, in 1862, the Civil War was raging in the U.S. and historians believe that if the French had won in Mexico, Napoleon III would have continued supplying troops and arms to the confederate rebels and this would have altered the outcome of the war. In fact, the French had their eyes on Louisiana and wanted to proceed north to reclaim their territory. Now this would have certainly changed the course of American history! Many North Americans are also unaware of the deep collaboration that took place between Mexico and the U.S. Under General Phil Sheridan. Union forces rushed to the Tex/Mex border and supplied weapons and ammunition to continue fighting the French. U.S. soldiers fought mano a mano along side Mexican soldiers. The American Legion of Honor even marched in the Victory Parade in Mexico City. In fact, the close ties between Mexico and the U.S. are evident when noting that General Zaragosa, who commanded the Mexican army at the battle of Puebla, was actually born in Texas! The Mexicans driving the French out allowed the Union forces to build their army and end the Civil War. It can be said then, that the battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 preserved the national integrity of Mexico and protected that of the United States as well.

Yeah, yeah, but that sounds like ancient history, so... Well, why is this still relevant today?Many people know that fully one third of territorial U.S. - the entire Southwest was part of Mexico until 1848. The traces of our Mexican heritage resound in the Spanish names of our states: Colorado, where rocks are red, Montana, the land of mountains, Arizona, an arid landscape, and Nevada, the place where it snows. And then there is New Mexico, the land of enchantment, a cultural hybrid that integrates Spanish, Mexican, Anglo, and Indian traditions. In addition, our largest state Texas, bountiful California, parts of Wyoming, Kansas and Oklahoma were all part of Mexico. This is the reason that Mexican-Americans compose 60% of Hispanics in the U.S. today.

While there is a lot of controversy about current immigration, it must be remembered many Mexicans can trace their ancestry to before these territories became states. Mexicans laid the foundation for our ranching, mining, and farming economy and gifted us with many traditions that are distinctly southwest. Yes, the Southwest is embedded with a Mexican heritage that echoes our distant past, but is also shaping our future. By 2010, U.S. trade with Mexico and Latin America will be greater than that of Europe and Japan combined. Our economic future is tied to the stability and economic development of our neighbors to the south. Inside the U.S. the Hispanic influence continues to grow. As the Hispanic population has grown, they have entered the labor force in unprecedented numbers. By the second half of this century, Hispanics will make up the majority of U.S. workers.

Perhaps it is in the strengthening America's values, however, that Mexican Americans and Hispanics will make their greatest contribution. Studies on Hispanics indicate that faith and family are our two highest values. Hispanics are a people-oriented culture where generosity, cooperation, respect, honesty, and hard work are valued. While America's multicultural society is a composite of many races, faces, and cultures, our relationship with Mexico has a unique and lasting influence - not only because of our proximity, and our historical ties, but because of the color, vitality, and strength Mexican- Americans bring to our country's cultural mosaic.

Cinco de Mayo reflects America's ability to embrace diversity and to celebrate the traditions and customs of the many people who make up our great nation. Cinco de Mayo heralds our emerging multicultural and global world.