S/O the term "Hispanic"...Little known fact

htomeo · March 2010

There is a movement, at least here, trying to get all legal documents to take the "Hispanic" option off.The actual word was used in the past as a slang for those of mixed race (Spanish/other) that were considered slaves or lower class mixed.

I am Mexican/American (and Native). I would consider myself "Chicana" before I consider myself "Hispanic".

LeggyNic · March 2010

I've been hearing about it too but I'm also in WA. Although I think it's more Eastern than Western. I was told by my Latina friends that "hispanic" is something the government made up.

[Deleted User] · March 2010

The user and all related content has been deleted.

htomeo · March 2010

InternetExplorer:
There correct term for those whose origins trace to a Spanish speaking area is a very regional thing in the US.

We use Hispanic and Latino in New England but would not use Chicano at all. That's too West Coast, LOL.

I am very West Coast. LOL

star173 · March 2010

My husband doesn't care what people call him. Spanish/hispanic/latino. He doesn't care at all.

Mrs.Hizzo · March 2010

::headdesk::

I want so badly to be respectful of everyone in the terms I use, but I can't keep up. I thought Hispanic was the preferred term? No? What about Latino? And I thought Chicano/Chicano was considered offensive?

Please give me the low down on this.

TexasLadyBug · March 2010

I guess it also depends on where you live in a state and who you are around. Where I am I here Hispanic a lot. Sometimes Latino, but I do not hear Chicano at all. I really do not see that changing in Texas either.

AmyDrinkie · March 2010

I could ask 3 different people of native Mexican ancestry what race they are, and they would all say something different. There is just no getting it right in Texas.

htomeo · March 2010

Mrs.Hizzo:
::headdesk::
I want so badly to be respectful of everyone in the terms I use, but I can't keep up. I thought Hispanic was the preferred term? No? What about Latino? And I thought Chicano/Chicano was considered offensive?
Please give me the low down on this.

I think it is all relative to the region you are in. And to the person you are referring to. Those from different countries of origin, prefer different terms. Sorry. It is all pretty much a guessing game.

Lucky_Dragonfly · March 2010

InternetExplorer:

We use Hispanic and Latino in New England but would not use Chicano at all. That's too West Coast, LOL.

yup, too much PC going on for my blood..everyone wants to be special and recognized. how about were all american? can we just change the census to say "citizen, visa, green card or other"?

violetvirgo · March 2010

my dad calls us Chicanos, but the term hispanic doesn't offend me at all. I have *heard* of this movement, but haven't seen it first hand among my family/friends in NM.

eta: most of us still go by Hispanic b/c "chicano" is used in a very negative way. at least in new mexico. so i guess it depends on location. personally believe that there is such a thing as too PC.

lzybeanie · March 2010

htomeo:
I think it is all relative to the region you are in. And to the person you are referring to. Those from different countries of origin, prefer different terms. Sorry. It is all pretty much a guessing game.

That's kinda the feeling I get. It depends on where you are and the person you're speaking to. I've heard Korean/Chinese/Japanese/etc. people who alternately are offended by/accepting of 'Asian' or 'Oriental.' It all just depends!!!!

[Deleted User] · March 2010

The user and all related content has been deleted.

mm&cc · March 2010

To help some of you out, Chicano is another term used specifically for Mexican Americans...no other Latin/Spanish-speaking countries. That's another reason why it is more prevalent in the west coast and other states surrounding Mexico.

MamaMyers22 · March 2010

DH is Filipino and is categorized as Asian all the time when in reality he's a Pacific Islander. He doesn't really care either way though.

lzybeanie · March 2010

InternetExplorer:
Um, Oriental to describe people is out pretty much across the board. But, so is, you know anti-Semitism, fyi.

Aw...thanks for the lesson!!! I'm so glad out of my entire post THAT was what stuck in your brain. That I'm anti-Semitic. Couldn't be further from the truth....

FolanMama · March 2010

I feel pretty stongly that if I called anyone 'chicano' I would get the stinkeye immediately.

But really, I don't correct anyone when they call me white. I'm Irish. White pays no tribute to what I am or my families traditions, but meh. I can't care that much about a term. I just can't.

loquita1 · March 2010

well depends who you talk to but Hispanic was from Hispania which was an older known area/in Spain. Chicano is a term used by latinos that refused to be called Latinos or Hispanics during the Civil Rights movements. I personally don't use it because in my neck of the wood the "cholos" ghetto people used it to identify themselves with and it was not me because I come from Mexican parents (from Mexico). I do not use this term I am Mexican-American. Latino comes from the Latin, which Spanish, English ,French (in all 7 languages) all derive from. But Latin is a Language not a people. lol

Sorry this was my major/masters had to talk about it!

And 5 de Mayo a real Holiday in Mexico! Only here!

MamaMyers22 · March 2010

loquita1:
well depends who you talk to but Hispanic was from Hispania which was an older known area/in Spain. Chicano is a term used by latinos that refused to be called Latinos or Hispanics during the Civil Rights movements. I personally don't use it because in my neck of the wood the "cholos" ghetto people used it to identify themselves with and it was not me because I come from Mexican parents (from Mexico). I do not use this term I am Mexican-American. Latino comes from the Latin, which Spanish, English ,French (in all 7 languages) all derive from. But Latin is a Language not a people. lol

Sorry this was my major/masters had to talk about it!

And 5 de Mayo a real Holiday in Mexico! Only here!

Sept. 15th is the true holiday, correct?

Echowysp · March 2010

LeggyNic:
I've been hearing about it too but I'm also in WA. Although I think it's more Eastern than Western. I was told by my Latina friends that "hispanic" is something the government made up.

Didn't *all* ethnic terms get created by the government? They didn't come from god or nature...lol.

violetvirgo · March 2010

MamaMyers22:
loquita1:
well depends who you talk to but Hispanic was from Hispania which was an older known area/in Spain. Chicano is a term used by latinos that refused to be called Latinos or Hispanics during the Civil Rights movements. I personally don't use it because in my neck of the wood the "cholos" ghetto people used it to identify themselves with and it was not me because I come from Mexican parents (from Mexico). I do not use this term I am Mexican-American. Latino comes from the Latin, which Spanish, English ,French (in all 7 languages) all derive from. But Latin is a Language not a people. lol

Sorry this was my major/masters had to talk about it!

And 5 de Mayo a real Holiday in Mexico! Only here!
Sept. 15th is the true holiday, correct?

close....the 16th (my birthday - lol)! in NM we celebrated it

MamaMyers22 · March 2010

violetvirgo:
MamaMyers22:
loquita1:
well depends who you talk to but Hispanic was from Hispania which was an older known area/in Spain. Chicano is a term used by latinos that refused to be called Latinos or Hispanics during the Civil Rights movements. I personally don't use it because in my neck of the wood the "cholos" ghetto people used it to identify themselves with and it was not me because I come from Mexican parents (from Mexico). I do not use this term I am Mexican-American. Latino comes from the Latin, which Spanish, English ,French (in all 7 languages) all derive from. But Latin is a Language not a people. lol

Sorry this was my major/masters had to talk about it!

And 5 de Mayo a real Holiday in Mexico! Only here!
Sept. 15th is the true holiday, correct?
close....the 16th (my birthday - lol)! in NM we celebrated it

Dang! Now I will forever remember your birthday Party!!!

loquita1 · March 2010

Mama Mayers is correct too. It is the 16th but the celebration starts on the 15th and the "Grito" (the yell, scream) comes at Midnight by the President of Mexico and that starts the party (holiday). lol

bnljane1988 · March 2010

My BFF is Mexican. He corrects people when they call him Latino or Hispanic - "I'm Mexican."

NatPhoto09 · March 2010

late to chime in but I'm Colombian and my DH is Cuban. We call ourselves Hispanic. I never thought of it as derogatory. I wouldn't get offended by latino/latina. In NC, most spanish speaking people are Mexican so I get asked if I'm Mexican all the time. NC is not very diverse so some people don't get that except for very few countries on this hemisphere most people speak spanish.

Want a personalized experience?

S/O the term "Hispanic"...Little known fact

Re: S/O the term &quot;Hispanic&quot;...Little known fact

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Want a personalized experience?

S/O the term &quot;Hispanic&quot;...Little known fact

Re: S/O the term &amp;quot;Hispanic&amp;quot;...Little known fact

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

S/O the term "Hispanic"...Little known fact

Re: S/O the term "Hispanic"...Little known fact