Marches, margaritas and the Americas way

What happens here doesn't stay here.

And what happens over there doesn't stay there. Because we have been tied together from the beginning.The past few days have been a reminder of that, beginning with May Day marches that focused on immigration reform, and wrapping up with Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

Immigration has been an American issue since the first Europeans stepped off a boat. But views of it change with circumstances.

One of the signs at Thursday's march in Seattle read: "Somos America: America para los Americanos." We are America: America for the Americans.

Except the woman carrying the sign meant all the people — in all the Americas.

Her husband, Miguel Gudino, was carrying their 14-month-old son, who was born in the United States.

"Back in our country, I won't be able to give him a good life," Gudino said.

His sister, mother and niece were marching with the couple.

Gudino, who has a green card, said he did farm work in Michoacán, but here he owns his own window-cleaning business and he is buying his first home. "Owning my own house is the best you can do in life," he said.

Gudino said he was marching so more people will be able to realize their dreams.

He marvels at how the numbers of Latinos have increased since he came to Seattle nine years ago.

It makes him smile, but it makes some other people grimace. It'll change us, they say. Yes it will, and it'll change them too.

At the gathering point for the Seattle march, rap music played on speakers, with a mix of Spanish and English.

We're always changing each other.

Cinco de Mayo is a good example of how intertwined this country is with its neighbors and the rest of the world.

The connections didn't start yesterday, and border fences won't stop them from continuing tomorrow.

Cinco de Mayo celebrates the victory of a Mexican army over the French in the 1862 Battle of Puebla. It's a bigger deal in the United States than in Mexico. It is a way for Mexican Americans to reinforce and celebrate culture and heritage.

And for everyone it's a good excuse to party, like St. Patrick's Day.

As with other special days, the celebration tends to overshadow its origins.

You might recall the United States fought a war with Mexico (1846-1848). Because of the war and internal fighting, Mexico sank deeply into debt. In 1861, when it stopped paying back that debt, Britain, France and Spain invaded to get their money back.

Spain and Britain left quickly, but the French stayed and installed an emperor, mostly because they wanted to counter U.S. power.

The French also planned to send weapons north to the Confederates, but the defeat at Puebla set that plan back.

If you're glad the North won the Civil War, have a margarita.

When we look for solutions to our common problems, we need to recognize that our histories — and our destinies — cannot be separated.

Jerry Large's column appears Monday and Thursday. Reach him at 206-464-3346 or jlarge@seattletimes.com.