CELEBRATING CINCO DE MAYO PROPERLY

Michael Round

May 5, 2009

The debate for Spanish as a foreign language requirement brought forth a parent of a kindergartner enrolled in the district DVD-based program.  I doubted the claim a foreign language was needed to compete in a global-economy (far better to focus on understanding the foreign countries!).  I doubted the claim a foreign language could be taught to a classroom of kids sitting in front of a TV watching a DVD with no adult in the classroom who could speak Spanish.

But here came a parent to speak to the School Board.  Her child has been in the program, and she was there to speak in favor of it.

Paraphrasing:  "and we just don't learn the language, we learn the culture.  We learn about Cinco de Mayo - Mexican Independence Day."

The School Board should have immediately voted "no" on this program, with that direct testimony.

Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day. 

But perhaps it should be.

And perhaps we should celebrate it, also, as part of our independence!

IN THE MOMENT:  Zen and the Art of Logical Haiku ...

An excerpt from:

EXTENDED HAIKU

From Syllogism to Poetry

Interdisciplinary Education and the Japanese Haiku

and an Introduction to

Multiple Modes of Expression

CINCO de MAYO: revisited

from a “Narrative” Perspective

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated on May 5^th.  What does it represent?  For the longest time, I thought Cinco de Mayo represented Mexican independence from Spain in the early part of the 19^th century.  Now I know it represents a victory over invading France in the latter part of the 19^th century!  What was France doing invading Mexico?

France was owed money by Mexico, and Mexico had temporarily suspended payments to France – and England and Spain.  Why were these payments suspended?  A 1861 Mexican Civil War created a national debt, which was addressed by temporarily suspending payments to the three countries.  Agreements were made with England and Spain, but France rejected the proposal, and instead planned to attack Mexico City, the Mexican capital.

The Mexicans, under the command of General Zaragosa with a brilliant cavalry attack, defeated the attacking French army on May 5, 1862.

CINCO de MAYO: revisited

from an “Illustration” Perspective

CINCO de MAYO: revisited

From a Logical and Haiku Analysis

CINCO de MAYO: revisited

from an “Extended Haiku” Perspective

 Indebtedness reigns.

Ideas have consequences.

Lone dissenting voice.

Election baggage.

Transatlantic incursion.

A Blow to the Heart.

Financial Tussle.

Paradigm Shift: Cavalry

Thrill of Victory!

United States Independence and Cinco de Mayo?

What is the relationship between these two?  Is there any relationship?  A future issue - or I'll return here to add in the details.  In the meantime, you know what to do:  HIT THE BOOKS!