Josh Cadji

State Hornet

Some of the great mysteries of our time: Why does man exist? Whydo the good die young? How many licks does it take to get to thecenter of a Tootsie Roll Pop?

Now, a new one has been added to this list: Why does Americacelebrate Cinco De Mayo, but not Mexico? Sure, Mexico recognizesMay 5, 1862 as the day the Mexican people’s army claimedvictory over French intervention, but that’s it. It’sjust not that big of a deal to them.

Well, it is to America and to Sacramento State.

For Cinco De Mayo, Sac State is pulling out all the stops andputting on a grandiose celebration for the day Mexicans defendedtheir freedom and country.

In typical Sac State style, there will be celebrations allthroughout Semana De La Raza, or, roughly translated, Week of theRace.

Starting today at noon UNIQUE will be presenting “Cinco DeMayo Celebration,” a dance and music program in Serna Plaza.Among those performing is “Barrio Humilde,” a rock bandmixing the likes of tejano, cumbia, salsa and pop sounds.

Also performing will be “Raices de mi Tierra,” afolklorico dance group.

There will also be a brief explanation of Cinco De Mayo byRhonda Rios-Kravitz, Services Librarian for Sac State.

President Gonzalez is also scheduled to be there, kicking offthe celebration with some opening and encouraging remarks for thosestudents celebrating Cinco De Mayo.

From there, the celebration begins as students from a variety ofSac State clubs and organizations hand out leaflets and literatureabout how their association better serves Sac State.

A civil rights march in support for SB 1160, the bill givingdriver’s licenses to immigrants living in the country withouta visa or greencard, is scheduled to start at noon and headdowntown to the Capitol.

Leonard Valdez, director of the Multi-Cultural Center on campus,says the significance of Sac State’s celebration of Cinco DeMayo lies in what it means to those who do come out, rather thanjust to Sac State in general.

“Those who want to participate or come out just out ofcuriosity, the celebration means something to them because theenjoyment they get out of it,” Valdez says.

“It won’t touch everyone because it doesn’treach everyone, but it’s great for those who want to come outand commemorate this event.”

For those who want to come out, Cinco De Mayo is a celebrationof the sacrifices and the victory achieved on that fifth day of Mayin Mexico.

But don’t look to go to Mexico for the authenticcelebration of it, because mysteriously enough, it’s justanother day there.