For
those of you who still haven’t figured it out yet, Monday night into Tuesday
are the real dates of the holiday you thought you celebrated (mainly by
consuming too many Coronas or cut-rate margaritas) back on May 5.
Those
are the dates back in 1810 when Father Hidalgo climbed to the top of his
church, rang his bell at midnight, and proclaimed a statement of independence
from Spain that is as significant in Mexican history as the Declaration of
Independence is to the story of the United States because of the way it inspired the people to take up arms against their colonial masters.
OF
COURSE, IT wasn’t immediate freedom. It took some 12 years before the Spanish
royal family acknowledged independence for the most significant of the American
colonies that comprised “New Spain.”
By
comparison, the British royal family virtually bent over backward to give the
fledgling United States its freedom and sense of itself as a new nation on this
planet.
If
anything, I often wonder if the history of Mexico and its attempts to establish
itself as a Democracy are a perfect example of the old saying, “If something
can go wrong, it likely will.”
Mexico
has had to do many things the hard way during its two centuries of existence.
It ought to make those of us of the United States more thankful for the
relatively easier path we have traversed to get where we are today.
I
FEEL THE need to think about this because I’m sure most people not only don’t
give it a thought, they’re not even aware it is something they ought to
consider relevant.
But
our two nations are so intertwined in so many ways, and not just because of
those Southwestern states that once were the northernmost outposts of the Spanish
colonies/Mexico itself. If anything, I wonder if the exception to our nation
are those far northeastern states who have a significant international border
with Canada.
Which
is why I’m not particularly interested in hearing from those people who are
going to complain about the many celebrations that took place in this country
related to Mexico’s Independence Day.
In
Chicago alone, I’m aware of two parades – in the South Chicago and Pilsen
neighborhoods – along with various parades in outlying areas including Cicero, West
Chicago and East Chicago, Ind.
THE
SOUTH CHICAGO parade has been ongoing for more than 75 years, while the Pilsen
parade is the one that has garnered the public attention.
Candidates
for the Nov. 4 and Feb. 24 election cycles all felt compelled to show up and
march through the one-time eastern European enclave that turned Mexican and now
threatens to become a place for artsy people to live near downtown Chicago.
After
all, those people vote. Both Gov. Pat Quinn and Republican challenger Bruce
Rauner were there, along with mayoral hopefuls Karen Lewis and Bob Fioretti –
with Mayor Rahm Emanuel making an appearance at an Independence Day breakfast
event prior to the parade.
Although
that threatens to trivialize the event, if it winds up that Mexico’s
Independence Day becomes nothing more than a chance for political people to
pander for the Latino vote.
BUT
WITH ONE out of six Chicago residents being of Mexican ethnic origins, this
becomes too big of an event to brush aside. Chicago is now just as
significantly Mexican as it is Irish or Polish – the two other ethnicities that
like to think they’re almighty and dominant in the city.
And
yes, it’s a bit odd to have all these public celebrations on Sunday; a day
early before the actual event – which could become an afterthought.
Except
for those of us who are desperate to take what already has become a two-day
celebration in Mexico (think Christmas the way some people just can’t wait
until Day and feel the need to go all-out on Eve) and make it a three-day fest.
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