Palomar College hosts Cinco de Mayo fiesta
By: NOELLE IBRAHIM - Staff Writer | ∞
Palomar College student Linda Zardain shows off her Mexican sombrero as she gets a Mexican lunch Thursday at the college during a Cinco de Mayo celebration.
BILL WECHTER Staff Photographer
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SAN MARCOS -- As she sat under the shade of an oversized sombrero, Palomar College student Linda Zardain soaked up the infectious sounds of Mexican music and munched on a plate of enchiladas, beans and rice Thursday during a Cinco de Mayo celebration on campus.
"This is great," said Zardain, in between bites. "It teaches students to appreciate other cultures."
Zardain, who is of Mexican descent, was just one of a number of students who stopped by the college's student union Thursday afternoon to watch Ballet Folklorico dancers twirl and tap their feet, eat a traditional Mexican meal and learn about the significance of the holiday.
Cinco de Mayo is not a celebration of Mexico's independence, which is observed Sept. 16, but rather commemorates the day an outnumbered Mexican Army defeated the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
"People get confused, so we hope to educate them a little about the historical importance of that battle," said Carlos von Son, co-adviser of Palomar's Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA) Latino student organization, which hosted the celebration. "It's really a symbol of hope, courage and self determination."
Von Son said the battle represented a significant moral victory for Mexico and therefore the holiday is a reflection of cultural pride. Celebrating the holiday on campus promotes diversity and fosters understanding between students, he said.
In addition, because Cinco de Mayo is widely celebrated in the United States, even more so than it is in Mexico, the holiday also represents a melding of Mexican and American roots, Von Son said.
"Beyond tolerance, we have to embrace other cultures," he said.
Frank Mentado, MEChA co-president, said he hoped students who took part in the festivities came away with a respect for other people's traditions.
"People take this (holiday) as an excuse to party, but it means something," he said. "We want students to have fun, but learn something also."
During the event, Sonia Gutierrez, an English professor at Palomar, gave a brief speech about the history of Cinco De Mayo to clarify any misconceptions students might have had.
"It's good to have someone who really knows the history to lay out the facts," said Omar Corona, an Associated Student Government senator, as he sat at a table near the festivities.
Stephanie Loscher, a third-semester student from Carlsbad, said having events on campus like the Cinco De Mayo celebration allow students to socialize and mingle in between classes.
"It brings all the students together and makes it a fun atmosphere," said Loscher. "Especially during this time of year when it's almost time for finals, events like this pump up students' spirits."
As he waited in line to get his food, student John Stevenson praised the college for hosting the event.
"I'm a history major, so I love this stuff," he said.
-- Contact staff writer Noelle Ibrahim at (760) 761-4404 or nibrahim@nctimes.com.
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Greg in Oceanside wrote on May 4, 2007 5:44 AM:Cinco de Mayo is not really a holiday. It only signifies Mexican forces winning a battle against the French on May 5, 1862. This should be Corona de Mayo...since I'm sure they sell their fair share of beer that day.
Question? wrote on May 4, 2007 7:17 AM:Does Mexico have a celebration for July 4th? Why do we celebrate May 5th?
Concerned-1 wrote on May 4, 2007 8:33 AM:Cinco de Mayo has always been a faux holiday and excuse for people to get drunk. Not that I haven't enjoyed a few in my time. That said, it is all but ruined for me now. The protests last year. The whining. The sheer arrogance of the illegals. I won't be celebrating that culture this year.
Pete Nice wrote on May 4, 2007 8:51 AM:Cinco De Mayo is an excuse for Americans to get drunk & start happy hour early. Mexicans don't even celebrate this day, it's not independance day & it's not celebrated in every state in Mexico.
Greg in Oceanside wrote on May 4, 2007 10:05 AM:I share all the same sentiments as Question? and Concerned-1. Besides, I'll be on duty serving the country, then attending a symphony that evening, so there will be no Coronas for this guy. According to MEChA, an organization that is pro-illegal immigrant, feels that the US land (aka Aztlan) is rightfully theirs, and further considers anglos "brutal invaders" of this land, Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that "is a symbol of hope, courage, and self determination." (If you don't believe me on what they stand for, go to the MEChA web site and see for yourself.) I guess their quote could be applied to illegal immigration. "Hope" of making it across the border safely, "courage" to face the 'coyotes' and US Border Patrol, and "determination" to get across, have anchor babies and reap the benefits that only US citizens should have. And no, I'm sure Mexicans in Mexico aren't celebrating any US holidays.
To Concerned wrote on May 4, 2007 10:17 AM:You sound a bit bitter, have another corona....
Toall wrote on May 4, 2007 10:49 AM:Cinco de Mayo is an historical celebration of enormous importance for the Mexican, Mexican American and Chicano communities. This date commemorates the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Puebla. The Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 was one of the few victories of the Mexican people over the occupying French Army. The French Army was led by General Charles Ferdinand Latrille de Lorencez. He believed he could control the whole country with his army. The 33 year old Mexican Commander General Ignacio Zaragoza defeated by the French Army, and the "Batalla de Puebla" represents bravery, patriotism, and a fight for self-determination. After this battle, Napoleon III sent 29,000 additional troops to Mexico. The French eventually overran Puebla, but the legendary battle created a Mexican moral victory. 4,500 Mexican soldiers defeated more than 6,000 French soldiers. From the Mexican side, casualties were 83 dead and 131 wounded. On the French side 462 dead and 300 wounded. Generally the Cinco de Mayo celebration is a misconception. People in the United States believe that Cinco de Mayo is the Mexican Independence Day. The Independence Day that celebrates Mexico’s freedom from Colonial Spain is on September 16th. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is observed by many cultures regardless of ethnic origins, particularly along the southern Border States. We honor the day as a symbolic representation of Mexican and Chicano pride and as a representation of the syncretism of Mexican and American cultures.
Concerned-1 wrote on May 4, 2007 11:37 AM:Thank you Pete, now let's stop celebrating it here.
Something in common wrote on May 4, 2007 12:34 PM:It seems Americans and Mexicans have something in common. Cinco de Mayo may indeed be a Corona Holiday. However, Americans have the Budweiser Holidays of Memorial Day and Labor Day, with Independence Day in between. And, the meanings of American Holidays are as blurred as our Mexican neighbors' Holidays are. Of course the long list of xenophobic posters above would never exhibit the intellectual dishonesty to admit as much.
James wrote on May 4, 2007 1:04 PM:Many of we are so hypocritical it makes one sick. You will celebrate ethnic holidays like St Patrick's day yet denounce Cinco de Mayo? Being an American means no foreign ties INCLUDING THOSE FROM EUROPE! Don't expect and demand things from Latino immigrants that you do not subscribe to...
Greg in Oceanside wrote on May 4, 2007 1:53 PM:Just because I may be of Irish ancestry (over 200 year ago they migrated here), doesn't mean I run down to the pub on St. Patrick's Day. I will put on something green to wear that day, but that's about the extent of it for me. Occassionally, because it's on sale, I'll pick up some corned beef and cabbage for dinner that night. St. Patrick was a Catholic Missionary, and died on March 17, 493 and his death is celebrated in many countries around the world (unlike Cinco de Mayo). But, as a true patriotic American I always celebrate American holidays. I think the 'premise' behind Cinco de Mayo has people confused.
James wrote on May 4, 2007 2:06 PM:No Greg, your confused. Just like you make the decision to selectively observe St Patrick's day, so too do most Americans of Mexican backgrounds with regards to Cinco de Mayo. A majority do not even acknowledge the day at all...let alone go out and buy special foods or wear colored shirts.
Oscar wrote on May 4, 2007 2:08 PM:I want to know why the NCT editors are protecting Greg? I posted a comment on here asking why Greg, who is so proud of "serving the nation" always seem to be surfing the net during his work hours? Come on NCT, don't be partial, if Greg can dish it out, let him take it too.
Armando wrote on May 4, 2007 2:26 PM:Greg, if your truly patriotic, you should forget about your Irish past, being that its been so long ago, and focus only on the American aspect....
AEQUITAS ET VERITAS wrote on May 4, 2007 3:38 PM:Cinco de Mayo ~ a great holiday, celebrating not so much the defeat of the French as the glory of Mexico! The French did learn though that their attempt to trample on Mexicans and install a halfwit Hapsburg Emperor was a very foolish thing. European colonialism at its worst. Whoever Greg's supervisor is should know that Greg is a loafer who spends all his time on here posting ridiculous and absurd nonsense. Greg, I couldn't possible care less what you think of Cinco de Mayo nor is it at all important what any of the racist bloggers think. What counts is that those who are honorable and decent show respect for Cinco de Mayo and the Mexican people and their culture.
GRIZZLY BOB wrote on May 4, 2007 3:44 PM:Tomorrow I intend to hoist a few with some friends to celebrate CINCO DE MAYO!! Viva Mexicanos y Mexicanas. Viva Mexico!!
Phil wrote on May 4, 2007 5:37 PM:Greg, you need to get a life. Its people like you that make me want to favor a cut in military spending. I am tired of paying people like you to sit on their keister to play on the computer.
Wonder wrote on May 4, 2007 6:01 PM:Cinco de Mayo should be celebrated in Mexico. Why would we celebrate it here, they don't like the gringos? They even make the American kids in our schools sing and dance in spanish on this day. Hum, I wonder if they make the hispanic kids in Mexico sing and dance like the Americans?
To Wonder wrote on May 4, 2007 7:46 PM:Maybe this helps. Why celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Because their is money to be made. Cinco de Mayo is like Christmas for Corona, they must make a killing. The same logic can be said about illegal immigration. Its not about laws, waiting in line, or protecting our borders...its about corporations maximizing their bottom line. To Corona and other Corps, we can sing and dance in any language...as long is they make money....they will endorse it!
Todd wrote on May 4, 2007 8:50 PM:Yippee!!Cinco de Mayo!!I think I'll get drunk and spray paint a SDG&E Transformer!!
P wrote on May 5, 2007 9:22 AM:Maybe "Greg" owns his own business and makes his own hours? Maybe he is retired? Maybe it's his day off? What are the excuses for the rest of us?
Think straight wrote on May 5, 2007 5:56 PM:Although most of the historical references made concerning the Cinco de Mayo "celebration" are true, many are forgetting the following... Besides this obviously being another "binge drinking" weekend, the US "should" celebrate this holiday because at the time that this time in history, the us was going through its own civil war. Now, should the French army have been victorious the first time around the southern section of the US could very well be French owned. Napoleon, as wacky as he was, he invaded Mexico with the hopes of re-grouping his troops to launch an invasion into the US. I went to school in Mexico, believe me, it is not as celebrated as it is here. Then again, us Americans love to have an excuse to get wasted.
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