Mexican freedom celebrated

What better way to celebrate Mexican Independence than dancing to Mariachi music on the steps of Finney Chapel?

Apparently La Alianza Latina and the Multicultural Resource Center felt there wasn't a better way, and the large crowd of celebrants confirmed this with cheers and laughter at Oberlin's 2 Annual El Grito celebration. About 150 members from all segments of the Oberlin community, Latino and non-Latino alike, crowded the steps to take part in Thursday night's ceremony. In addition to students, the event drew faculty, townspeople, and their families. One person came from Lorain just to be there.

According to Adriana Dorado, OC '99, the Latino/Latina community coordinator at the MRC, the celebration is a commemoration of the independence of Mexico as well as other Latin American countries of Spain. In fact, it is intended to be a recreation of events that occurred in 1810.

Dorado explained that the Mexican people had been gathering together to get up in arms, but they decided to publicly declare their independence after being discovered by the Spanish. She said in every little community in Mexico the celebration begins at the stroke of midnight on Sept. 16, and festivities continue for the entire month of September.

Dorado attributed the large turnout, which was about three times larger than last year's, to the fact that there was a band and decorations, including a Mexican flag on the chapel and streamers in Mexico's colors of red, white and green. "This is becoming a tradition," she said.

The band, called Mariachi Noventa, was very well received by the crowd, which cheerfully danced to their music. Some attendees even screamed in recognition of favorite songs and at some points the crowd sung in unison, arms around each other's shoulders.

"We really appreciate seeing everyone attending this wonderful cultural event and hope that people learn about the entire culture," said sophomore Jorge Sanchez. "This shows the cohesiveness of the Oberlin Community."