9/27/2007

Hispanic or Latino...

The U.S. government came up with the term "Hispanic" in the 1970s to generally refer to people who could trace their origin to Spanish-speaking countries. The term "Latino" refers to origins from Latin America, which includes non-Spanish speaking countries like Brazil. The terms are often used interchangeably, which is a point of some contention in the wider community.
If and when someone were to call me a hispanic or a latino I don't immediately flip out and correct them. I have been exposed to many other forms of what some people consider to be my nationality some good some bad. When ever I am asked what I am I quickly answer in a funny tone "Well a human of course". Then I take a few minutes explaining the difference of latino and hispanic and how it is that I'm hispanic. Growing up wasn't as bad as most people thought it was. I had friends that just saw me as just me and not a nationality. In the article Anna Rivas, of Boulder, Colorado states "On a regular basis I get asked where I'm from". "And I'll usually reply, 'My parents are from Mexico.' And I don't say, 'I'm Hispanic or Latino, or I'm from Mexico,' because I'm not." I guess using her theory I should consider myself a Bostonian seeing that I was born in Boston,MA.
:)

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

When people ask me "where I am from" I usually say "many places". If they want to know more then they are in for an earful of all sorts of non-latin sounding places like Iowa and Alaska ... by the end of the answer, they likely realize that it was too simplistic a question :-).

People here in New England (especially rural MA) pride themselves on their family having lived in the same tiny town for 5 or more generations. So even if you were born in Boston or Worcester but your family wasnt, you are not FROM here.

Who needs to compete with that!

If people press, I usually cut to the chase and say "I was born in south america and grew up all over the US".

When I was growing up kids would then ask if I could buy them some pot (bleh, heard that too often to be funny), now people usually say something unwitty about Juan Valdez.

I could go on but you likely already know all about this silliness :-)

Anonymous said...

I used to be proud to say I'm mexican when asked about my nationlity. now with all the illegals it's kind of scary, so I just say I'm an American and about 100 yrs ago my mother was born in Mexico,so I have that heritige,which I am very proud of.

roman said...

Don't be afraid to say your nationality to others. I understand the illegal issue that seems to have come up from the dark files. I am not for illegals because I know what my family and friends went through to become citizens and to see that they will get a pass on it bothers me very much. We currently have a large portion of soon to be Americans waiting in line for their day to come to be part of this wonderful country. I love the work ethics of all hispanics and latinos, if it's one thing that I am very very proud of is the fact that no matter what the task is we will work at it and work at it to the best of our abilities with absolutely no slacking.
:)

Anonymous said...

I am proud to say I was born in Nicaragua and I do not understand how other people can easily hide it. Be proud to say where you are from and hopefully all the ignorant people would one day understand that diversity is what sets us apart.

Anonymous said...

Stupid ignorant americans calling south americans hispanics and latino... hhahaha In England we make fun of ur ignorance.

A hispanic is a person who comes from the iberian peninsula. And Hispania was the name given by the romans to the iberian peninsula. See the connection?

And the only true Latino countries are: France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy.

Thanks US government for making the current most powerful nation be full of people with no sense of culture.

Therefore, south americans are as hispanic/latino/spanish as north americans are british and canadians are french.

I feel bad for the real spanish, good thing they are here in europe far away from american stupidity.

roman said...

Hey anon - are you a complete idiot or are you off your meds. The US is a country of many nations and nationalities for that matter. So your comment of British and Canadians being part of the US is pretty true - just like Irish, French, Chinese etc etc..
Do alittle more homework before opening up the pie-hole.

Anonymous said...

Answering to roman:

I bet you don't have pure spanish blood.

roman said...

If you would like a copy of my family tree that I did as a gift for my mom and dad I'll be more then happy to send you a copy, and wouldn't you know it my ancestors are from Spain - huh go figure.

Anonymous said...

Solo por eso no quiere decir que seas español. Sigues siendo un sudaquilla.

Arriba Europa !!! Arriba España !!! Y que se vayan a la mierda todos los que dejaron la tierra !!!

Anonymous said...

Ademas, no eres de donde naces, eres de donde te crias.

roman said...

Viva Pipa!
Yo lo quiero es que todo los humanos que hablan malo de los hispanos o latinoa que entiendan que no importa que es un person, pero que es lo que esa persona puede trajer para el mundo entero.
con mucho amor - buenas tardes.

roman said...

I am Puertorican and am very proud of that, both of my parents were born in Puerto Rico. My mom was born in Ponce and my dad was born in Juana Diaz. I was born in Boston, MA and was raised in New London, CT. I currently live in Toledo, OH and found myself meeting other hispanics and latinos that regardless to their cultural backgrounds we all enjoy each others company as people and not a race. As for some of you who seem to believe that true spanish people should reside in that country and only that country alone to be considered spanish will end up living a life very lonely and sad, but I love those of you who hate, neglect, reject or even ignore your potential just the same.
To all a good day.
:)