WINSTON WEEKLY[1]

Vol. 2, No. 18

May 5, 2024

TEACHERS, NURSES, AND CINCO DE MAYO[2]

Why would I include teachers, nurses, and Cinco De Mayo in the same heading? In thinking about today and the week ahead, I came across a quote by Claudia Sandoval, MasterChef Winner, who said: “Cinco de Mayo isn’t about celebrating independence. It is about celebrating the ability to stand up to forces beyond measure.” Nurses and teachers often must stand up to forces beyond measure.

Cinco de Mayo is the Spanish translation for the “fifth of May”. Although Cinco De Mayo is often referred to as Mexico’s Independence Day, Mexico gained independence from Spain following the “cry of Independence” on September 16, 1810. Mexico Independence Day is a national holiday in Mexico.

Following the end of the “Reform War” in 1861, Mexico was bankrupt and unable to pay its European creditors. Although European forces arrived in December of 1861, diplomatic efforts of Mexican President Benito Juarez resulted in the departure of British and Spanish forces. French forces remained, with Mexican forces prevailing in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The success led President Juarez to declare May 5 a national holiday.

Cinco De Mayo receives relatively little attention in Mexico today but is widely celebrated throughout the United States. From Mexican cuisine to long ballads known as corridos to Mexican dances known as Danza and Mestizo, there is plenty to celebrate. There is likewise plenty to celebrate this upcoming week. May 6 is the start of Teacher Appreciation Week and National Nurses Week.

THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITY

Consider sharing some Mexican celebratory colors with a teacher or nurse this week. Whether expressing gratitude with a note, a book, or a gift card, use bright blue, green, red, or yellow colors (whether markers, ribbons, or tissue) as an accent.

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[1] Copyright May 5, 2024. Please feel free to share with the appropriate attribute. Winston Weekly is a weekly Sunday newsletter by Alysen Bayles, Founder of Bayles and Bruce. “Learn, live, love, read.” Alysen’s views are her own.

[2] Resources: Article by Christopher Minster in the Southern Coalition for Social Justice (www.southerncoalition.org); This Day in History at www.history.com; and May 5, 2022 blog by  Neely Tucker, Library of Congress Blogs, www.blogs.loc.gov. The quote from Claudia Sandoval is from the April 25, 2024 article by Emily VanSchmus in Better Homes & Gardens, http://www.bhg.com.