They will learn some Spanish words and to delve more deeply into what it means culturally to be Mexican, which could lead to an interest in taking Spanish in high school or college some day.
It should not be ignored that students will get an opportunity to broaden their concepts of what culture actually is and also gain insight into the fact that all cultures celebrate holidays that commemorate important aspects of community life and history. The holiday itself and specifically how it is celebrated is interesting and broadening, but even more important is its reason for being and the events that led to its becoming a holiday.
One of the most difficult things to understand about another culture is its values and the reasoning behind them. The students will be exposed to Mexican values, particularly when we study what the leaders on the two sides said before they went to war with each other. Cohesiveness is primary in Mexican culture; in fact, Mexican communication style reflects that need and functions to maintain relationships. Sometimes American businessmen have trouble understanding Mexicans in this respect because Americans in the workplace tend to communicate in order to solve problems and accomplish tasks, while Mexicans communicate in order to establish and maintain viable relationships to each other. They value family more than work, prize harmony, and try to avoid conflict in their dealings with each other.
In the discussion about how the war was won despite being vastly outnumbered, perhaps an understanding of this value will come out. They were strongly bonded to each other. They knew they were in it together, and their...
In Europe during World War II only a few people -- at great risk to themselves -- helped the Jews. Psychologist Eva Fogelman (1995) interviewed some of them to find out why they chose to act while other people simply stood by. In her book Conscience and Courage she points out that one thing the rescuers had in common was that as children they all had been exposed to people who were different from themselves. Their parents had taught them tolerance by inviting people into their homes who were from other cultures. Thus, they were not afraid of Jews. They saw them as fellow human beings. This points to the fact that along with understanding and tolerance, multicultural education also produces moral courage. When students understand other cultures, and learn to see diversity as enriching rather than threatening, they are more likely to take a stand against bigotry and racism. Multicultural education is, thus, a teaching opportunity with the potential to make the world a better place.
References
Bowman, B. (1994). Cultural diversity and academic achievement. From Urban Education Monography Series, Chicago: NCREL.
Fogelman, E. (1995). Conscience and courage. New York: Anchor.
Hanley, M.S. (2002). The scope of multicultural education. From New Horizons for Learning. Seattle: New Horizons for Learning.
Hilliard, A. & Pine, G. (1990). Rx for racism: Imperatives for America's schools. Phi Delta Kappan, 593-600.
