I'm Latin, not Hispanic

[StationToStation]

As a guy with Spanish roots, I prefer the term Latino/Latin to Hispanic. Furthermore since Latinos are the largest minority group in the US, I think it's about time we name ourselves. Though I have to say I was a bit impressed on this years census forms, the choices and terms were more up to date with Latin culture.

For instance, this year's census gave me the choice to call myself Latino and identify with being Caucasian. I'm not black, I'm not asian, right? but you'd be surprised how many racial profiling forms act state that we can neither be white, black and asian and Latino at the same time. These forms must be written from a very strict perceptive.

My family comes from Spain, perhaps if the rumors are true, there is some Sephardic Jewish background, which is another culture but not another race

I can understand the term Hispanic being a general term for a group of people where Spain had influence around the world, whether is Asia, Africa, or the Americas, but my family is from Spain. I'm Spanish, Latin, Latino, Olive, just not Hispanic. I realize this is my point of view, I own. Do other Latin Jubbers have an opinion on this term or post???

 

[SimonSays]

It is an interesting question. My family is of Basque origin, even though we have been in Texas for a very long time. But, the colonization of this area was done in a large part from the persons of the Basque Region. Hispano seems to becoming fashionable again, but in Northern New Mexico it would be very appropriate because a lot of the families have been here since Spanish Colonization.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

well countrys should ecourage anything make all people feels a comfortable ins theirs own skin instead has it whip off um casue no fit da local voodoo

 

[SimonSays]

People of Latino Origin make up at least a 1/3 of the population, and I think it is more than time to make better efforts to embrace this part of the USA heritage, specially in the Southwest.

 

[StationToStation]

People of Latino Origin make up at least a 1/3 of the population, and I think it is more than time to make better efforts to embrace this part of the USA heritage, specially in the Southwest.

Seattle and Portland have experienced leaps in Latino growth in the last decade or two. It's not uncommon to hear Spanish speakers on the bus or rail lines ( the MAX overhead speaks in English and Spanish to it's riders), or even just shopping about town. There's even Spanish markets and shops all over town.

Surprisingly Latinos have avoided the inner city and prefer the suburbs, in my opinion it is due to cost. It's really expensive to live in the inner city of Portland and Seattle, and the suburbs offer a cheaper realistic price.

As were once minorities have tended to occupy the inner city, the opposite is now true. Intense gentrification in Portland and Seattle has driven minorities out of the city and now downtown area is very white and affluent.

Used-to-be white suburbs in the area, have absorbed the minorities. Sometimes the suburbs around Portland, are more diverse than an inner city neighborhood.

 

[SimonSays]

I was surprised by the influx of Latinos into the Pac NW. I visited the PAC NW not too long ago, and there were many, many Latinos, and they actually have Spanish on the Light Rail in Portland, and we do not even have that in Albuquerque.

 

[StationToStation]

I was surprised by the influx of Latinos into the Pac NW. I visited the PAC NW not too long ago, and there were many, many Latinos, and they actually have Spanish on the Light Rail in Portland, and we do not even have that in Albuquerque.

Portland is one of a handful of very progressive cities in the world. Surprisingly it's considered the whitest city in the US. But at least very ethically sensitive.

 

[SimonSays]

I enjoyed my visit there. Although, the humidity got to me, and the clouds and rain, maybe, if I go back I will visit during the Summer. But, they do have some great Pubs up there.

 

[swerve]

I have a friend from Brazil who is ALSO very OUTSPOKEN about wanting to be called Latino -- this goes for his husband (from Mexico) as well...

I never realized that the term hispanic bothered people...

I ALSO never realized, until talking with him about it, that Italians are ALSO Latino's...

 

[StationToStation]

I have a friend from Brazil who is ALSO very OUTSPOKEN about wanting to be called Latino -- this goes for his husband (from Mexico) as well...

I never realized that the term hispanic bothered people...

I ALSO never realized, until talking with him about it, that Italians are ALSO Latino's...

Yep it's popular in the Latino/Latin community to move away from the term Hispanic. Even some Mexican born US Americans prefer the term Chicano. And like I said, as the largest minority we a community should name ourselves.

Yes Portuguese, Spanish, Italians, French and Romanians are all Latin based cultures, that have spread to the Americas.

 

[SimonSays]

I am more or less indifferent to it. I generally prefer Latino or Hispano over Chicano. Chicano seems to carry a more negative tone to it, especially amongst many of the Anglo Americans. And, it is rather irking to be referred to as Mexican all the time, as my family is not from Mexico and never has been.

 

[JoeyLj]

i dont get the difference between latino and caucasian

 

[bankside]

I don't believe in "naming myself" - I assume I owe something to history and to language by at least paying attention to the roots behind words. I don't know the roots behind either "latino" or "hispanic" and that is a part of US history (as those words are used in this context) I have just not followed at all, living in Canada. Here, if that kind of division has any weight in someone's identity, it is probably language-based instead of ethnicity or culture.

So we have Anglophone, Francophone, or Allophone depending on whether someone grew up speaking English, French or Other. Although "Aboriginal" would probably be its own category as well, and that is not language-based, of course. And pretty much nobody would ever think of calling the Francophones "Latin."

Though I've never heard the term in everyday use, ever, I do think most Canadians would understand what you meant if you said "Hispanophone."


Hmm. This is interesting.

 

[SimonSays]

I think it is Cultural and Ethnic based to some extent. There are distinct languages, food, music, etc. I rather not labels be so important to the USA, but in general it seems to be rather important. Feeling out the Census was an adventure this year for sure. It is like him, how many of these racial, ethnic, category things should I check.

 

[954dude]

I'd say it's based on culture and your own personal experience.

 

[hungrybrownbear]

Why don't you just say, I'm not Hispanic, I'm not Latino, I'm just hella hot and that's all that matters.




Hmm maybe if you know you have roots in Spain you could say you're Spanish-American?

 

[GL]

i am not offended with the term "hispanic" but i identify as latino.

 

[LatinCoffee]

I prefer Latin or Latino. Hence, my SN. lol

 

[SimonSays]

At the end of the day I do not make much issue out of it. As long as it is not derogatory and hate filled. And, where I live it is rarely a problem.

 

[StationToStation]

I think it's more of a West Coast thing to identify as Latino/Latin, however the term is becoming more popular than the term Hispanic across the country.

Hispanic just is sounding too old school, you know, perhaps like the term Orientals.

I'm not offended if some wants to label me as hispanic, but I let them know I'm more comfortable with the term Latino.