Op Ed:
Cinco de Mayo
Meets 4th of July

“Revolutionary Developments� Both North, South of Border."

Photo Courtesy: OSU

(SALEM) - Funny thing about history... We make it every day never knowing what`s in it or its meaning; until years later when historians assemble patterns we built, and publish it.

In Salem these days, it`s intriguing to see one culture meet another, after `over-border" activities stressful for all.

No American needs `Fourth of July" explained. But many of us, Americans-now after universal `immigrant"-family arrival,surely need assistance re `Cinco de Mayo" -- nearly the same historical significance.

Both `revolutions" reflect closely-parallel long-term objectives and identical ongoing consequences. `The border" is an arbitrary line dividing territory-only; it need not impose isolation and ideological differences. `Cinco de Mayo" is widely celebrated by those who understand freedom`s universal appeal, precisely as is `the 4th". In today`s distorted `news-surround" that discommodes many powerful groups pressured by practical economic forces. It has solid social-contract connotations inevitably in the same mix.

That`s a peculiar characteristic of the common-ground we claim for our American-governance inheritance from those 4th of July patriots. Those qualities were firmly placed in our own revolution by the Founding Fathers.

We still term it `democracy" --even though that descriptions tattered and forlorn these days. (I`ll spare you the dolorous detailed descriptive list; you have your own, readying for voter-decision time very soon !)

Seeking the broad-patterned view among many professional historians is not the only way we can build surer positive understandings here. Today`s technology supplies us with irrefutable fact, rapidly and in depth for shaping full understanding.

Here`s an example, a simple Google-search for `4th of July": `On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the "land of the free and the home of the brave" so they can begin their American Dream. The United States is truly a diverse nation made up of dynamic people. Each year on July 4, Americans celebrate that freedom and independence Through the Internet we are learning about and communicating with people of different nations, with different languages and different races throughout the world. Bringing the world closer with understanding and knowledge can only benefit all nations."

SO how does `Cinco de Mayo" add significantly to understandings needed now ? Here`s same-search for those shaping-facts:

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo is increasingly popular along the U.S.-Mexico border and wherever people with a Mexican heritage reside. The holiday is a celebration of Mexican culture, of food, music, beverage and customs unique to Mexico. Commercial interests in both U. S. and Mexico have promoted products and services focused on Mexican food, beverages and festivities, with music playing a more visible role as well. Cinco de Mayo has become a bigger holiday north than in the south, adopted by more and more people every year. ( Both `finds" lightly-edited by hcr to shorten.)

What`s meaningful is solid evidence of what crosses the border with new-immigrant families: Continued love of country-of-origin, coupled with unavoidably concentrated attention to their newly-demanded `on-job to-survive" responsibilities; with further emphasis on simple but solid, conclusive `settling-in" solutions --for the same problems every preceding immigrant group has lived, and learned to cope completely.

SO what`s different ? Impact on jobs ?

Remember Italians, in American city-and-home construction, and railroad roll-out across the nation ? Remember Greeks, in their own and everybody-else`s restaurants ? Bringing art, language, culture and refinements ?

Remember the Jewish groups from many backgrounds ? Most Gentiles today treasure fond memories of one-or-more, as solid, contributing friends and community leaders. (Write-your own re the French !! I`m biased after short visit to Paris, long ago...)

Remember also the Originals, here when we-all arrived. I early-on knew a full-blood Maine Indian, still speaking his native tongue proudly, taught by surviving great-grandfather. He was the finest athlete-ever in state history in various sports --coaching other `white men" to titles and triumph.

We CAN learn from each other. Indeed, today, we needs-MUST, without ostensible Christian faith-demands.

Otherwise that pattern historians provide will show only a very large debris-cloud -- mushroom-shaped, and rising. What will it matter where-originating ? Or who may still be able to read their new pages ?