Hispanic is an English word that originally referred to people from Spain and eventually expanded to include the populations of its colonies in South and Central America. Latino is a Spanish word—hence the feminine form Latina—that refers to people with roots in Latin America and generally excludes the Iberian Peninsula. For many, Hispanic has negative connotations because of its Eurocentrism. Others prefer it because it’s gender-neutral. Latino, meanwhile, is perceived as a more authentic-sounding, Spanish-language alternative. Generally speaking, Democrats use Latino more often than Republicans, who favor Hispanic.
Christopher Beam – Slate Magazine has more.
This is interesting – since moving from NY I’ve noticed that Hispanic is the preferred term here, while in NYC it was definitely Latina/o. I’ve had a tough time making myself say Hispanic here – many Latina/o people I know in NY get offended. Maybe it’s less a Democrat/Republican thing and more of a regional thing.
The US Government groups every person who comes from South of the Mexican Border as Hispanic (except the Caribbean). Even the blond haired blue eyed Brazilians, or the green eyed brunette whose family comes from Ireland. Latino… Ask the guy whose family came from Wales, Japan, Russia, Germany, Italy, or China is he considers himself a Latino, or Hispanic.
What exactly makes people Latino, the origin of their language? If that is the case, then most of the people in the Western world are Latino, or Greek.
Can’t we all just get along?
While at a Chicano Art installation in San Francisco last year, there was a long discussion about Latino/a vs Hispanic. What was said there was Hispanic is used mostly in New Mexico (because many of the people in New Mexico are descendants of the conquistadors, especially in Northern NM) while California tends to use Latino/a denoting people from the Latin American countries.
What this doesn’t cover is what about the other 48 states.
Hey, just my .02!
At the University of New Mexico Library it’s called The Chicano, Hispano, Latino Studies Program (CHIPOTLE).
For the record, according to OMB, the official U.S. Government source for these matters, “The term ‘Hispanic’ refers to persons who trace their origin or descent to Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central and South America, and other Spanish cultures.” Hispanic and Latino are used interchangeably.
According to the Census, “Origin can be considered as the heritage, nationality group, lineage, or country of birth of the person or the person’s parents or ancestors before their arrival in the United States.”
“The federal government considers race and Hispanic origin to be two separate and distinct concepts.”
Respondents self-identify whether they belong to these categories.
I’ve always used Hispanic to describe myself racially rather than Latina. I’m not really sure why. Maybe it is a regional thing like others have suggested.
Actually, I think Mexican American is my more preferred term, since Hispanic seems to imply that Mexico and Central and South American countries all share one culture.
My sense is that most individuals who self-identify their origin prefer the specific rather than the general. Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Guatemalan, Chickasaw, Nez Perce, Blackfeet, Crow, Muscogee (Creek).
Our society distinguishes German-American, Italian-American, Polish-American, etc.; that is, by country when it comes to Europe. But for everywhere else, continents will do — Hispanic, Asian or African-American.
“But for everywhere else, continents will do — Hispanic, Asian or African-American.”
Truer words were never spoken – even if it’s the wrong continent.
The Africans in my bloodline showed up in South America about 300 years ago, along with the English in it. The Indians (from Asia) showed up in the 1830s.
My parents didn’t get to this country until the 1960s.
Yet, African-American is the default for me. If I say Caribbean-American, people just get confused.
Both terms are more to do with culture than the genetic makeup of people. I am Hispanic because most of my culture is from Hispania. I am not Latino because most of my ancestors came from Europe. I do not care what people call themselves. I am not a Mexican any more than I am Texan, even though the land my ancestors lived on were claimed by both. The borders have crossed my homeland many times.
I call my self multiracial. I am an USA citizen by birth and by choice. I am more native than most New Mexicans. If one is confused on what to call me, they call refer to me as Mr. Dominguez.