Evanston residents reflect on independence and social equity at this year’s Fourth of July Parade

Gabriel Garcia, 59, a substitute teacher at Mary Lyon Elementary, grew up in a predominantly white South Side neighborhood. As a first-generation Mexican American, he learned to assimilate and adapt to the English language while also keeping his parents’ culture alive. Even now, on Independence Day, he proudly shows off his heritage during the celebration.

At the Fourth of July parade last Friday, Garcia donned a gray T-shirt with a spin on the term MAGA, its new meaning showing the striking message “Mexicans Ain’t Going Anywhere.”

“The T-shirt represents my heritage. [My] parents, fortunately, were able to emigrate from Mexico … but there’s a lot of Mexican Americans who are here involuntarily,” Garcia said. “They’re brought over as Dreamers or are brought over for other economic reasons, and are, in my opinion, being unfairly targeted, just simply for wanting a better life.”

Garcia expressed his interest in seeing the Mexican cowboys, or gauchos, and the mariachi band at the parade. For him, it was a shining reminder of his upbringing and traditions, and the importance of recognizing this essential part of his background, especially on the nation’s birthday. 

Still, Mexican Americans are continuously fighting discrimination, he said.

“[The Fourth of July celebrates] idealistically declaring independence from a power that subjected them unfairly,” Garcia said.  “It seems ironic that the ones that have benefited from that ideal in the past are now subjugating another group of people to the same level of oppression. So it’s kind of a bittersweet holiday knowing what’s going on.”

Like Garcia, Janine Hill, 48, said the parade prompted her to reflect on the future of diversity and equity in the U.S.

“I don’t know how patriotic I feel this year,” said the longtime Evanston resident and president of a consulting and coaching firm. “It doesn’t feel like everybody is allowed to be independent right now.”

Hill found that the parade was a perfect time for her to reflect on the future of diversity and equity representation in the nation. Many people within her organization are challenged with recent federal funding cuts and hope to boost morale affected by the current political climate, says Hill.

For Garcia and Hill, this parade represents much more than just a tradition or grand celebration. It is a way for those attending to think about the values and the people who make America the nation it is.

Hill said she hopes that this Independence Day will remind Americans of the fragility of democracy. If we don’t show up and protest, she said, “We lose it. So it feels more important than ever.”