Thread: Students gather celebrating their Latin countries' independe

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Students gather celebrating their Latin countries' independence month
Paul Galvan | 1:34 AM EST 9/13/06
PrintEmail Article Tools Page 1 of 1 Around 200 people filled the Teleconference Center Tuesday to celebrate Mexican and Central-American Independence Awareness month.

Justin Shode, anthropology major, attended the event and said, "It's good to hear about cultural revolutionaries. I would like to see more on this."

Walter Fernandez, Chicano studies instructor, discussed Mexico's independence, which happened Sept. 16, 1810 when Mexico defeated Spain.

The purpose of the event was to inform students that this month, 185 years ago, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla made a momentous decision that revolutionized the course of Mexican history.
Hidalgo, a Catholic priest in the village of Dolores, ordered the arrest of Dolores' native Spaniards.

Then Hidalgo rang the church bell as he customarily did to call the mass. Hidalgo called on the Indians and Mestizos to retaliate against the hated Spaniards who had exploited and oppressed Mexicans for ten generations.

The rest of Latin America also celebrates independence in September.

The event seemed to be enlightening as well as entertaining, according to Fred Deese, culinary arts major.

The gathering was brought together by Sociedad de Profesores (Society of Professors), which helps organize events addressing the cultures, histories and philosophies of the predominantly Spanish-speaking countries and people.

Among the group's goals are to promote and cultivate the Castilian language through student literary activities and to promote student academic success and transfer to the university.

It's an organization that would like to grow and has good relations with the Puente Club as well as the MEChA group.

During the presentation, Fernandez explained the history that impacted the countries of Mexico, Central America and Puerto Rico.

As well as how each country had tremendous struggles to become independent.

Although some countries did not become independent such as Puerto Rico, there were historic figures such as Ramon Emetero Betances.

Betances, a Puerto Rican, became a doctor and surgeon in Paris.

He returned to Puerto Rico to provide medical services for poor peasants and slaves.

He also freed many slaves after buying them.

On the importance of an informative gathering such as this, Fernandez said, "(The purpose is) to inform of cultural awareness in Cerritos College."

Professor Fernandez also added that since Cerritos College has a large population of Latinos, it would be important to educate about the culture and how it formed together.

Other instructors that attended the history of Mexico event, seemed to have a say in why it would be important to have the independence of Mexico awareness gathering.

According to Jennie Jamie, foreign language instructor, the club has informative gatherings, such as the Mexican and Central American independence month to bring cultural awareness to Cerritos College.

Why don't they go back to their country and celebrate?

Hmm....I think that on the 4th of July next year, I'll go to Mexico and celebrate. Maybe take along a bbq, some hot dogs, a little apple pie, and maybe some Garth Brooks on the radio.

Geeeeeeeez.

The rest of Latin America also celebrates independence in September.

Then they all need to go back to latin america and celebrate their brains out. This is absolutely disgusting! Why in the hell do we celebrate another country's holidays? THIS IS OUR COUNTRY (at least that's the rumor anyway) AND WE ONLY CELEBRATE AMERICAN HOLIDAYS.

THIS IS OUR COUNTRY (at least that's the rumor anyway) AND WE ONLY CELEBRATE AMERICAN HOLIDAYS.

Don't count on it for much longer. Eventually I'm sure one will come along that conflicts and we of course will have to keep backing down in order to remain PC.