LATIN AMERICAN STUDENTS CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING
On Thanksgiving Day, many students gathered with their families to celebrate and thank their loved ones. Although not many Latin American countries celebrate Thanksgiving, for some Latino students, this celebration has become part of their lives and Latin culture.
This year for Thanksgiving, Josue Miranda and his family did not eat turkey. Instead, they had menudo with chicken and vegetables.
“Because when we celebrate Thanksgiving, the whole family brings their own food. So, there could be turkey one day and then the next year there could be specifically tamales. So depending on what people bring,” said Miranda, an MCJ multimedia production major.
This year Miranda is grateful for his family and health. Also, he is already starting his senior year at Fresno State, being the first generation in his family to attend college.
Broadcast journalism major Cynthia Carranza enjoyed the turkey that her mother prepared. She is in the company of her family and her brother, whom she has not seen for a long time because he lives in Porterville.
“We had a great time,” Carranza said. “I was with my family. We ate a lot of food and took many photos.” Carranza said she is grateful for having health and all of her family together.
Mariah Mendoza celebrated three times this year. One week before Thanksgiving Day and twice on the holiday. She celebrated with her fiance and his family, who came from Chicago, and her friends.
“My fiance made mac and cheese because they didn’t serve it. Really good. I was eating that for like three days. I couldn’t get over the taste. All the flavors were just perfect,” said Mendoza, a broadcast journalism major. Mendoza is grateful to have her fiance and family as part of her life.
Thanksgiving Day is starting slowly to be part of some Latin American countries like Costa Rica. Last year the Costa Rican government decided to add it to their holiday calendar to have a little of the American culture. It may be a celebration day, but in Latin America, people don’t get the day off.