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Palomar College hosts Cinco de Mayo
fiesta
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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. |
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Faby Marinez and Erik Lopez perform a Oaxacan dance during a Cinco de
Mayo celebration at Palomar College Thursday. |
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.
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/05/04/news/inland/3_01_205_3_07.txt