DAMN YOU, MR. CHAVEZ!

So I have found a potential story. I'm excited about the research that I will have to do. And I was all set to start today, but all of the libraries were closed. Something about Cesar Chavez day around here. Who is this guy and why does he get a day? All I know is that his park in downtown San Jo has free concerts during the summer. O.k. So I looked up his Wikipedia page and I guess he did some pretty cool things. It would be interesting to see where he would stand with regards to GWBush's immigration groans.
This frustration leads to something else I'd like to rant about for a sec. Is it just me or does it seem like every month is 'national (insert whatever cause/minority/illness you want here) month.' This month is National Autism Awareness month. I know this because my bookstore has a display table set up and Joey Travolta (yes, John's bro) will be coming to push some book or something. I'm not going to be totally insensitive and say that this ailment doesn't deserve some recognition; however, I have two points I want to present to you, my happy readers:

• First: it seems like a lot more people are being diagnosed with some form of autism lately. Someone at work even told me about a young girl who became autistic after she received too many booster shots at one time. Huh? Are people really autistic? Or is just a way to explain different or problematic behavior. Is autism becoming the new ADHD?
• Second: do people really become more aware during these themed months? Or is this just a means to get on soap boxes and sell books. Please understand, I'm not trying to be insensitive here. But when you work in a bookstore, you learn a lot about people. And the biggest realization I've made is that humans are very much herd animals. They like to 'flock' to some cause or fad just because someone on TV said something about it. I can't tell you how many times people have spent money (sometimes lots of moolah) because (insert celebrity name here) told them they need this book/dvd/cd. I guess I shouldn't gripe too much. It does keep me employed.
  

So how many people 'remembered' Cesar Chavez today? Who knows. Inevitably, this 'holiday' will grow to have the same meaning as all the rest: just another day that people can't go to the library/post office/bank.