Students Learn Underlying Meaning of Cinco de Mayo

Some people think of Cinco de Mayo as just an opportunity for a great party.

Rio del Valle Middle School sixth-grader Peter Robledo, 12, said he knows better.

“The French army had more people, and the Mexicans still beat them,” he said, during an after-school celebration at the El Rio school Friday. “It shows it doesn’t matter if you’re outnumbered. You can still win.”

And while that is all well and good, his friends had a little something to add to the party-versus-history debate.

“It’s about Mexican bread and tostadas,” countered 12-year-old Ruben Huerta. “It has good food. Put it that way.”

At several area celebrations Friday, and at celebrations throughout the weekend, both options are available: the pride of heritage, and the music and food that make for a popular celebration.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the day when the underdog Mexican army stopped an invasion of French troops near Puebla on May 5, 1862. Mistakenly likened to Independence Day in the United States, the holiday has become something more like St. Patrick’s Day in this country. Mexican Independence Day commemorates Sept. 16, 1810, the date when the revolt against Spanish rule began.

“This is more of a pride kind of day,” said Virginia Lepe, a 19-year-old Ventura College student, who lounged at the college’s Cinco de Mayo event. “It’s beautiful. It’s our culture. It’s our tradition. It’s a party and it’s for all the people.”

At the college’s event, the last of several days of activities sponsored by the school’s Mexican American club, students dished up rice and beans and strips of Mexican barbecue while a band played Latin music. During the week there were visits by folklorico dancers in bright costumes, and Aztec dancers, thumping their feet and jangling ankle rattles.

Laura Virto, president of the Ventura College chapter of MeChA, the Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan, said that she hoped the celebration would be a chance to teach people about Mexican culture, as much as fill their bellies.

“For a lot of Mexicans, it’s just a day for a big party,” she said. “I didn’t even know anything about it until I joined MeChA.”

Ventura College students Crystal, 19, and Ursula Bernal, 20, who are sisters, sat and shimmied to the beat Friday, singing along to the lyrics they knew, and discussing their plans for the evening.

Ursula was going to attend a free Cinco de Mayo event in Oxnard, one planned to run through the weekend. Crystal, who works at a Mexican restaurant, knew she was in for a much different evening--Cinco de Mayo just means more work for her.

“I’ve got to go to work,” she said. “People want to enjoy themselves.”

Rio del Valle’s students were enjoying the first Cinco de Mayo celebration ever held at the school--even if it was only because they had the chance to get out of classes an hour early.

Students stood in line for nachos and mangoes, Popsicles and chances at winning a prize at the Loteria Bingo. The school’s mariachi band--a gaggle of youngsters in only their third performance--entertained the audience with a set that was, if a little off-key, still charming.

“By next year, they’ll be on TV,” joked Rio school district Supt. Yolanda Benitez.

Cultural events are important at this school, where 85% of the students are Latino, Benitez said--particularly with the day’s message.

“It shows when you have a group of people who are really determined, you can overcome anything,” she said. “It gives the students that feeling: You know you can do it.”