Just a Thought: Cinco de Mayo
celebration!
By Steve Walker
With Fiesta 2015 now in the history
books after a successful 11 day run that finished last Sunday, we can now look
to our next Hispanic cultural celebration of Cinco de Mayo just two days from
now. Just when you thought the party was over, we gear up for more celebrating.
When you live in San
Antonio there is the natural expectation we will continue to celebrate our
rich Hispanic culture all the time. We are famous for our celebrations with
mariachis, parades, Mexican cuisine all the time, and any time. Viva San
Antonio!
The question is “Why Not?” The good
news is you don’t have to be Hispanic to appreciate the Hispanic culture. In
fact those of us who are not of Hispanic ancestry get the privilege to
experience it by assimilation just living here in Bexar County, the home
of the Alamo and the Missions.
Where else but San
Antonio can you get the best Mexican food like puffy tacos, tortillas,
tortas and enchiladas? I remember when I spent a year in Germany in
the Army in 1971-72 I had no access to Mexican food whatsoever. Upon arriving
home in the Alamo City, for weeks I frequented so many Mexican restaurants
I gained weight and was forced to go to the gym to work off all the tacos!!
For many new to the 7th
largest city in the United States, and particularly not of Hispanic origin,
Cinco de Mayo is an exciting experience. In Texas and other states we
commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the
American Civil War; celebration of Mexican heritage and pride; commemorate the
Mexican army's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla, May 5th,
1862.
For you history buffs from somewhere
else who may not been privileged to study Texas History it became a cause of
celebration. Cinco
de Mayo has its roots in the French occupation of Mexico which took place in
the aftermath of the Mexican-American War of 1846-48, Mexican Civil War of 1858
and the 1860 reform Wars.
These
wars left the Mexican Treasury nearly bankrupt. On July 17th, 1861, Mexican
President Benito Juarez issued a moratorium in which all foreign debt payments
would be suspended for two years.
Not
happy about that France, Britain and Spain sent naval
forces to Veracruz to demand
reimbursement. Britain and Spain negotiated with Mexico and
withdrew. Unfortunately France at the time ruled by Napoleon III
decided to use the opportunity to establish a Latin empire
in Mexico that would favor French interests, the Second Mexican
Empire.
Late
in 1861, a well-armed French fleet stormed Veracruz, landing a large
French force and driving President Juárez and his government into temporary
retreat.
However the Mexican Army of
4,500 took on the French Army of 8,000 strong and as we say in Texas, “put
the whoop” on them, crushing the then considered "premier army in the
world." The rest is history.
Don’t
forget the 18th Annual Cinco de Mayo events that will happen in
the downtown Market Square with sounds and smells of authentic
Mexican food, Mariachi music on the plaza and Forklorico dancers with their
colorful dresses.
Market
Square is a family friendly venue with over 100 shops of Mexican art and
crafts, as well as two of San Antonio’s most popular restaurants Mi Tierra and
La Margarita.
As always, what I write is “Just a
Thought.”
Steve Walker is a Vietnam Veteran and former Justice of
the Peace and Journalist.
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