by Juana Bordas
Cinco de Mayo is gathering steam as the Southwest's favorite cultural holiday.
Just as St. Patrick's Day, Oktoberfest, and the Chinese New Year recognize our cultural
mosaic, Cinco de Mayo celebrates the contributions of Mexican Americans as well as our
own growing relationship with our neighbors south of the border.
So open up a cold Corona, order up some tacos, listen to some hot Salsa or Mariachi
music and celebrate "El Cinco." Since Latinos are the fastest growing group in America,
the fiesta has just begun!
Many folks are puzzled why so many Americans celebrate Mexican Independence day.
Well, first Mexican Independence day is September 16 and commemorates the end of the
Spanish conquest of Mexico.
Cinco de Mayo honors the brave Mexican Indians who - outnumbered 2 to 1 - smashed the
French army, considered the best in the world... an army not been defeated for 50
years. The battle of Puebla in 1862 is hailed as one of history's most memorable
underdog victories. And who doesn't like championing an underdog? Yeah, yeah that is
interesting, but...
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 Americans - 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
Mexico, Napoleon III would have continued
supplying troops and arms to the confederate
rebels. 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 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 MexicanAmericans compose over 60% of
Hispanics in the U.S. today.
While there is a lot of controversy
about current immigration, it must be
remembered many MexicansAmericans were here 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. Did you
know that U.S. trade with Mexico and Latin America is 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.
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.
So with GUSTO celebrate El Cinco!
Juana Bordas
Latino Leadership
Development Program
Mestiza Leadership
International
Join an inspiring group
of professionals and
Latino managers for a
dynamic week of
leadership training.
Juana
Bordas
is
author
of Salsa, Soul and Spirit:
Leadership for a Multicultural
Age. She is president of
Mestiza
Leadership
International in Denver, a formenr
vice president of the board of
the Greenleaf
Center
for
Servant Leadership, and a
trustee of the International
Leadership Assoc-iation. Juana
is a founder of Mi Casa
Women's Center and founding
president/
CEO
of
the National
Hispana
Leadership Institute. In 2000,
she founded The Circle of
The
Latino
Leadership
Development
Program
assists professionals and
Latino managers advance
in
their
organization
and
maximize their potential. The
program also invites people
who work with and manage the
growing Latino work force to
expand their "Latino affinity
and cultural competency."
Mestiza Leadership International provides training and
organizational services that
demonstrate the benefits of
collaboration, diversity, and
effective leadership.
Founded in 1995, Mestiza has
established a track record for
delivering quality programs in
creative
and
interactive
Latinos are the fastest growing
environments.
segment of the workforce, an
exploding customer base, and a
lucrative Trillion dollar market.
The
LLDP
has
been
strategically de-signed to assist
organ-izations lead, manage,
A focus on the practical
application
of
knowledge
results in measurable outcomes that track program
Latina Leadership to train "the and cultivate their Latino talent effectiveness.
next generation of Latina as well as increase their
understanding of the Latino For more info on Mestiza
Leaders."
culture.
Register:
mestizalead@aol.com
Leadership
International
services, please go to:
MestizaLeadership.com
Denver's Cinco de Mayo celebration will be
at Civic Center Park on May 5 and 6. Check
out cincodemayodenver.com/
Facebook.com/JuanaBordas
Take off 10%
Twitter.com/JuanaBordas
Super Cinco de Mayo Offer
10% OFF LATINO LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Contact Mestiza Leadership International for more Information: 303 320 5644 or MestizaLead@aol.com
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