More than Mexican: Study highlights diversity of Latinos
By Michael Martinez and Mariano Castillo, CNN
Los Angeles (CNN) - Jonathan Larios hears it all the time: Someone walks into his Honduran restaurant and they think it's a Mexican place.
"Oh, I hate that. That bothers me a lot," said Larios, 21, general manager of two Los Angeles-area restaurants called Honduras Kitchen. "They always ask, 'How's the Mexican food?' It gets frustrating over time.
"It's like the most race that people always see is black, Mexican and American. They don't see anything else," said Larios, whose mother is Honduran and father Salvadoran.
His first-hand experience shows that some Americans confuse all Hispanics as being Mexicans. While it's true that Mexicans make up the largest segment of the Hispanic population in the United States, a new Brown University study that shows Latinos are hardly a monolithic group.
The demographic has wide differences in nationalities that are becoming more salient, the study said.
"When studies are done of Hispanics, the results mostly reflect the experience of Mexicans, who are more than 60% of the total," the study says. "But observers would be mistaken if they thought they knew Hispanics in the U.S. by looking only at Mexicans."
The large percentage of U.S. Hispanics of Mexican descent, an overwhelming majority, inadvertently hides distinct trends among Hispanics with origins in other countries, according to the report released Wednesday.
The differences extend to cuisine, too, Larios added.
His parents own both restaurants, in Long Beach and Huntington Park, the latter being in business for 20 years, making it the oldest Honduran eatery in the state, he said.
"I tell them our food is very different," he said of customers who confuse Honduran food with Mexican dishes. "Most of our food doesn't have anything hot and spicy. Our food will never be spicy."
Hondurans are proud of their heritage and often emblazon the flag on their soccer jersey, whether they're playing in a neighborhood league or cheering for the national team, he said.
Many non-Mexican groups are growing at a faster rate, and doing better economically, the study found. In another telling figure, Hispanics other than Mexican are much less segregated than often assumed.
While the number of Hispanics who identify as Mexican has increased 137% between 1990 and 2010, those with other origins have grown at a much faster rate. During that 20-year span, it is estimated that the Honduran population in the U.S. increased by 383%, Guatemalans by 289% and Peruvians by 204%.
"Mexicans are not losing their weight, but some groups who were small and not on the radar now number in the millions," said John Logan, one of the report's authors. "South Americans are now everywhere, and if you add them up, they are a huge number."
The three largest groups of Hispanics - Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and Cubans - make up 62%, 9%, and 4%, respectively, according to Census data. Central Americans make up 8% of the Hispanic population, and South Americans 5%.
In 1990, only three Hispanic largest groups had more than a million residents in the United States. By 2010, Dominicans, Guatemalans and Salvadorans had joined that club.
One of the findings seemed to show that the national perception of the Hispanic population is closely tied in with the Mexican community. There is the persistent idea, for example, that Hispanics in the United States are insular and segregated from other non-Hispanic communities.
"The very stable trend of high segregation is one attributed to Hispanics, but it turns out it is mainly a characteristic of Mexicans," Logan said.
According to a measure known as the Index of Dissimilarity, every Hispanic group except Mexicans has become substantially less segregated since 1990.
Half of all South Americans used to be located in Los Angeles, New York and Miami, but by 2010, only 34% lived in these cities, the study says.
Other generalizations persist.
"There may be a general assumption that Hispanics are immigrants, which was never true for Puerto Ricans," Logan said. "There may be a generalized assumption about relatively low education and skill levels, which does not fit average Cubans and South Americans, and increasingly not Puerto Ricans."
The data indicates that below the surface, there is a great deal more change within the Hispanic population than commonly thought, Logan said.
These differences could be important to advertisers who target Hispanics, or politicians who seek their votes.
"I suspect that on the whole, their view of the Hispanic community is that of it as one community (the Mexican community) and that's probably not a strategy that will be really helpful," Logan said.
Logan conducted a similar study in 2000, and his most recent research was a continuation of that to see if the differences he spotted 13 years ago remained. The patterns and trends have become even clearer in the past decade, he said.
The report also took a look at certain social and economic characteristics of the different groups that showed various degrees of economic success. One measure examined were the median wages of each group.
While the median annual wage for Mexicans in the United States was $20,200, wages were much higher for Argentines and Venezuelans, both with median wages of $30,300.
This finding wasn't surprising, as social scientists have long noted that those with roots in Cuba and South America tend to have different economic backgrounds.
But one group that is sometimes assumed to be insular and employed in lower wage jobs, Puerto Ricans, are actually doing quite well, the study found. Puerto Ricans have increasingly integrated with the rest of the population and have a median wage of nearly $30,000.
About In America
What defines you? Maybe it’s the shade of your skin, the place you grew up, the accent in your words, the make up of your family, the gender you were born with, the intimate relationships you chose to have or your generation? As the American identity changes we will be there to report it. In America is a venue for creative and timely sharing of news that explores who we are. Reach us at inamerica@cnn.com.
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Mexicans are not in fact South Americans 🙂
Sure, it's just liberals. Conservatives have never cared. Hence the laws in many states making it illegal for whites and non-whites to marry. This isn't something from the 19th century. Many such laws were on the books until 1967, when a Supreme Court decision outlawed it. And what about segreation? "Separate but equal"? The laws denoting separate schools, transporation, wiaiting rooms, etc. for whites and "coloreds" were passed by liberals?
except Mexico is part of North America.....
The same is true within the "white" community. Whites are English, Irish, Dutch, German. Polish, ,Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, French. Hungarian, Czech, Russian, Greek, Italian...and more...all very different from one another but lumped together by the media and society.
Pedro – You are correct. And even then, when someone says they are German, German at what point in history? Most European countries have had numerous border changes. It's lot easier to just treat people decent and not worry about where they came from.
We all came from Africa if you want to get technical.
Dave,
Actually, the concept of "White" as we know it today really only dates until after World War II. It is very true that, in a general sense, white vs. black was the key dividing line for segregation in the South. But beyond that, people of northwestern European and mostly protestant backgrounds didn't tend to think they shared much racially, culturally or politically in common with those from southern and eastern Europe, and/or those who were Catholic, Eastern Orthodox or Jewish. It's also interesting to note that idea of "hispanic" or "latino" as a distinct race didn't really show up until the later 20th century as well. Historically, peoples from the various Latin American nations would be described as white, black or native Indian, depending on their appearance and background. Point being, race is actually a pretty fluid thing.
From mexican to Northern South America it's pretty much the same, the only difference is where the beans are in relation to the tortilla...in Mexico it is inside the tortilla and in central american it's outside the tortilla.
No seriously though, Latin america only really becomes different when you reach the Southern Cone...Chile, Argentina, Uruguay...which is where I'm from.
I don't know anyone who eats tortillas in South America. Uruguay is a lot like Argentina, only a lot poorer and smaller. Out of the capital everyone looks a lot like people from La Paz or Chile, except they still think they are white.
You missed the whole Caribbean. They have a way different culture than Central and South America, play different sports and eat different kinds of food.
how does an Argentine commit suicide?
He climbs his ego then jumps!
Labels! Just as one things all HIspanics are Mexican, there are those who think all Latinos are Hispanic...therefore Mexican. Sometimes, people don't realized that to be "hispanic" actually comes from "Hispanola" which in long times past referred to that island occupied today by The Dominican Republic and Haiti. The word probably morphed into meaning those spanish-speaking people from central America and the Carribbean. Now it appear to be reverting in the opposite direction. The term "latino" can often be used synomonous with "hispanic" but by definition can be 2 different things. For example, Spaniards are "latino" but they are not "hispanic". Many don't see that "Brazilians" are "latino" but not "hispanic". In my humble opinion, anyone who is from a country that speaks a language derrived from "Latin" (the romance languages) is "latino". That would include French, Italians, Portuguese, and Romanians as we all Spaniards.
I believe the Romans named the territory currently knows as Spain and Portugal, Hispania, so the term comes from there not the island you are reffering too.
I will look it up. And if you are correct, I will stand corrected and thank you for teaching me something I didn't know.
The word Hispanic comes from the Latin Hispania that refers to the people of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) The word Hispanic has been transformed by Americans to Spanish-speaking people. Ironically, No one ever mentions the Spanish when we talk of Hispanics. The Spaniards are the lost ethnicity in this country. They are the ones who established the first city in the US, St Augustine in Florida. The Spaniards are the Europeans, that "discovered" most of the South and many of the western lands of the US.
Also, since the Spaniards are European, they are white. The Latin or "Hispanic"world is made up of mainly three races, White, Black and Native People. Therefore, hispanics can be one of any of these three or a mixture of two or more.
Exactly. It seems that everyone ignores the simple fact that 1. Hispanic is not a race and 2. there are WHITE hispanics along with Black, Native American, Asian, Mestizo and Mulatto hispanics. Just like there are White, Black, Native American, Asian, Mestizo and Mulatto Americans.
There are millions of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino/Etc decent immigrants that have fully assimilated, speak perfect English and consider themselves Americans first and foremost. Assimilating doesn't mean betraying your roots/traditions/etc. But if you want to be a part of this country, you gotta do the whole ENCHILADA.
I have Blond hair,Blue eyes and fair. I tell people and they say no i am not. Why ,because I am not dark Ameericans see ony in black and white
My wife is Brazilian. Many Americans think the official language of Brazil is Spanish (it's Portuguese).
Com certeza, steve. Just yesterday in a trivia game, one guy said Ipanema was beach in Brazil's capital city, Rio De Janeiro. I stopped him and said, Rio hasn't been the capital of Brazil since 1960. In 1960, they moved it to Brasilia. Some Americans still believe Rio is the capital.
That´s true, some of them still think America is the only country with freedom XD
I am Indian (south Asian) and even I get labled as Mexican. How bad is that!
I don't know. How bad is it?
I'm German/Polish/French and just get lumped in this pile called "White". How's that?
Dear everyone,
No one cares. If you think you are so important that I should stop and take the time to ask where you are from you are out of your mind. Why would I do this? So that in passing conversation I can identify that one individual correctly? If I am in a conversation with you and I refer to you as mexican and you are honduran well tell me you are honduran and we will move on. You are not as important as you believe yourself to be. Instead of crying about "most americans" identifying you incorrectly be happy that you are able to live in a country with so many races and so many advantages. The issue that causes this problem is the fact that the US is the land of freedom and opportunity for all. This means all come here but it doesnt mean we have the time to stop and ask where you are really from. Get over it.
Sad. There was a time when people were much more accommodating and congenial. There was a time when people took the opportunity to learn something new from someone else's experiences. Sad that today, all you can do is wave your American flag and speak about patriotism and invalidate what it REALLY means to embrace diversity and be a US citizen. So what are we suppose to do... just close the door because you're in on this side? What you just basically said was, "it's not all about you so get over it. It's all about me." Sad... very very very sad.
No one really cares where you're from as long as you speak English and obey the law. Just a little tip for you.
he's right, el Steve-O
No one who matters and you've no idea what you're talking about, as usual.
Dear writer: It is not "Most Americans" who think that all people from Latin descent are Mexican, only the people who lack knowledge, awareness and are uneducated or unsophisticated think that!
I suppose many Americans think of Everything south of the border as one country .
They'd be shocked to learn that there are many countries south of the USA !
My geography is so bad that I did not realize that south of Mexico is ocean and that
South America is actually quite a bit east .
Chile it not south of California , it's south of New York and
The east tip of Brazil is almost to Africa .
This was a good article indicating that Honduran people dislike being called Hispanic. It took me a while to understand this because I had an encounter with a Honduran and without thinking said what part of Mexico he is from, well, he did not take this well and said just because we have the same skin color does not make us the same ethnicity. The only problem that I have from this article is classifying Hispanic and Latino. I am a Criminal Justice minor, and based on the classes that I have taken, it has deliberately discussed that there is a difference between Hispanic and Latino. Based on lectures and on Samuel Walker's "The Color of Justice: Race, Ethnicity, and Crime in America," it clearly states that Latino/a are from twenty Spanish-Speaking countries (a vast majority are in South America, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. Excluding Portugal and Brazil. On the other hand, Hispanics can be divided as native born Americans and of course immigrants. In conclusion though people get mixed up with Hispanics, Latinos, Chicano; so what my advice is, "how do you preferably identify yourself? And not just what society perceives you as."
Ethnic classification depends on where the grants are.
Dear Joel. I agree with most of what you described, except that Brazilians, Portugueses, Italians, Spanyards even Rumanians they are also Latinos. Their languages came from Latin, therefore Italians are more latinos than anybody else.
1980s -1990s even now many call themselves white Cubans so does some Dominicans, etc. It all depends on how light or dark their complextion is. Scandanavians call themselves Germans. This has been going on since the beginning of time and will always be that way. Italians don't want to be called Sicilians, red head Irish people with the thick wavy hairs used to be called Black Irish (putting it nicely). There's a lot of bad history behind all ethnic groups as far as name calling and classifications.
With the majority of South Americans being Mexicans that are in the U.S., then why wouldn't we think all hispancis are Mexican. Everybody eats tacos.
Mexico isnt a part of South America. It's considered Central America.
Mexico is North America. Central America starts in Guatemala. But anyway, at least you were closer than Kevin.
There's no way you just wrote that. Mexico considered part of central America? By whom? Buy a map.
Yeah... Carlos beat me too it. Generally, there are 3 countries on the Noth Ameican continent; Canda, the USA and Mexico. Although everything south of Mexico and north of Colombia is considered "Central America", there are some who debate that the actual border between north america and south america is the ismus of Panama. However, that is not necessarily accepted...
Geez...now Libs are changing the maps? If you look it up, some say Mexico is part of Central America and some say North. When I went to school it was part of Central...both culturally and geographically.
Could care less about Americans obsession with race and self classification, all of which serves to divide us.
Are you a nice person? Do you treat me with respect? If so great, is not buzz off.
Thank You, Bob. I also do not understand the obsession with race.
Very great point Bob.
I am American, born in America and proud of if but also proud of my family heritage. I am a New Mexicana. My family has lived in New Mexico since the 1700's. They came from the town of Miera Spain where the Miera's still live. New Mexico and Arizona became states in 1912. There is some people here in NM that are adamant about not being called Mexican as their families settled here from Spain. The Spanish that stayed in Mexico and intermarried with the Indio's are todays Mexicans. My children can call themselves Hispanic or Irish as their father is second generation Irish.
Paula, I'm New Mexican too with similar roots as yours, and its an irritation that folks mix us up with Mexicans–you know that we're different in many ways–our cooking is different, for instance. We are no better than anyone else–wanting identification has nothing to do with ethnic one-upsmanship ( a claim a Mexican woman berated me with at my wedding reception, of all places).
But it's wishful thinking to say we descend strictly from the Spanish settlers who arrived in the 1600s. Fray Angelico Chavez, writer and genealogist who did extensive research on New Mexican families, wrote that native New Mexicans were generally 70% Hispanic tracing roots back to Spain, and 30% Pueblo natives. Now the Pueblos were neither Aztec nor any of the indigenous tribes of Mexico, and I'd imagine they don't care to be confused with them any more than we like being confused with other Mexicans.
Moreover, the term "Chicano" has always bugged me–what is that? It takes no account of actual lines of descendancy. And to go so far as organizing departments at universities for "Chicano Studies" is a curious thing, in my opinion. As far as I can see Chicano studies is more of a political movement–it should be a sub-department of political science or literature or whichever other aspect of the discipline can be identified, to the extent it's an academic discipline.
Something else I like to tell people who consider us less than American: We were in New Mexico before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock.
We didn't come to the U.S.-the U.S. came to *us.*
Funny story Paula – I'm sure you have experienced it. A friend of mine from NM wrote a check at a local department store. The clerk looked at his check and gave it back to him sayin, "we don't accept pesos". He quickly pointed out that New Mexico is a state and the check [like the license plates] say "USA" and "DOLLARS" at the end of the amount line.
I also remember a story about a guy who was trying to buy tickets to the Summer Olympic games in Atlanta back in the 90's. The US Olympic Committee representative declined to sell him the tickets after he gave his home address in New Mexico. She told him, "sir, old Mexico or New Mexico, it makes no difference. You still have to contact the Mexican Olympic Committee and purchase your tickets directly from them."
If your a Mexican your a Mexican.....
You say Tomatooooo or Tomato..... Still hispanic.....
This is just a Mexican Stand Off Here....
Give it up. Personally, after spending 7 years in Chicago, I got tired of the chauvinistic battles between the Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans and whomever else among Hispanics thought they were better than the other.
Thank you! I only say I'm Irish if someone asks about my ancestry. I'm American first and foremost.
I don't know if she'll ever become US citizen, but if she did, would they call Charlize Theron "African-American" ?
By far the worst, and most racist, mistake is categorizing "Hispanics" as a race. "Hispanics" are offeten compared to whites, blacks, etc. when truth shows that "Hispanics" have the same racial ancestry as do other Americans and descend from native people, European colonizers and immigrants, the blacks that were enslaved and brought to the Americas. As such it is very possible, and not uncommon, to be white, anglo-saxon, protestant AND HISPANIC.
Cultural ancestry is equally diverse amongst "Hispancs", and for example people from the Caribbean have totally different cultures than those who descend from the Maya, the Toltec, Olmec, Inca, etc. In essence there is no cultural common denominator which leaves the Spanish language as the only common denominator amongst so called "Hispanics".
In conclusion racial comparisons between "Hispanics" and other races is equivalent to the provervial comparison between apples and oranges, and only shows the predominant ignorance of History and Geography of the American educational system sprinled with generous portions of prejudice and racism.
Is the Anglo-Saxon connection because of Gibraltar?
They are in a state of Panic!
I have a friend who is Jamaican. His skin is typical of many Jamaicans, a medium brown hue. If you ask him if he's African American, he will say no. When he fills out forms that ask for ethnicity, he puts "other" because they don't usually have West Indian or anything like that. People call him African American, but he dislikes the term as a polite catch-all for brown-skinned people. He'd prefer being called "black," which, while not quite accurate, at least doesn't assume he's African. He doesn't have a problem with actual African Americans or anything. It's the terminology that bothers him. Not that he ever actually gets heated over it or anything. He's a pretty mellow guy. He's just kind of a stickler for accuracy.
Personally, as a New York City native, I'm baffled by this article. I've known far more Latinos who are not Mexican than Mexican. We have lots of different kinds of people here, of course, and it's wonderful to be surrounded by so many different cultures.
What makes me laugh the most is the term "African-American" being used as a catch all for brown-hued people (as your Jamaican friend has experienced). I would be, what everyone on the planet calls, caucasian – however – I was born in Victoria South Africa – grew up in the US and am now a US citizen. By 'definition' I am technically African-American. I've gotten into more arguments with classmates in college over the fact that I'm MORE African-American that just about ANY black student in my classes! lol
It doesn't have anything to do with ignorance as some have stated. MOST OF THE HISPANICS IN THE U.S. ARE MEXICAN! All I've ever known in my area is Mexicans, so why wouldn't I have the notion this article is talking about?
I wish hispancis would refer to themselves as hispanics instead of Latinos; since a Latino could be Italian, French, Romanian and a whole host of other races. Hell, English contains Latin, so maybe I could be Latino.
Yes, and all whites aren't slave owning, racist, land stealers. Do a story about The Native Americans, or the Italian, Jewish and Irish persecution "back in the day". Gotta love how it works in American media.
Caucasions are not caucasions either. In fact, caucasions are invisible and immune to the human race as they are aliens. Shhhhh, top secret!
Yes, and many Europeans and South Americans think Americans and Canadians are the same. So what?
That's right!
White Americans tend to be called "Anglos", no matter if they are of English, French, German, Russian, or whatever ancestry. The phrase "...all look alike to me" is pretty universal, isn't it.
Instead of defaulting to the easy ad hominem argument, let's just say that prejudice is not limited to one ethnic group. How about a little universal tolerance and assumption that our own preconceptions about different ethnic groups may be subject to re-evaluation.
Right on! I'm with you on that!
Agree!
God, how ignorant! I and the dozens of South American relatives I have living throughout the U.S. who have been here since the 1960s ARE NOT, AND NEVER WERE, ILLEGAL! Not all immigrants are. My parents and their cousins did all the paperwork necessary to be here legally. In the younger generation, we are ALL college-educated professionals and citizens who vote (hopefully eventually eliminating ignorant people from office).
then Broaden the Census forms with ethnicities since the US is such a huge melting pot. But that won't stop people from checking white in the check box. There are so many ethnic groups in this country that classify themselves as being white when they're not!
WOW – where do we start? Hispanics are from Spain. Latinos are from South America. Mexico is part of North America, so they are called North Americans. People from Guatemala to Panama are called Central Americans. Not everyone is hispanic or latino (if you did not know). I get offended when I get called hispanic or latino! I'm from Central America, I know that people cant tell where you were born just by looking at you, but if they really want to know all they have to do is just ask! Don't want to offend anyone, but I feel that at least get the names correctly then we can have a better understanding.
I agree 100% with you, I am a proud Panamenian and hate when they look at me or here my accent and go Oh you Mexicans, not all of us are Mexicans, we do not eat the same foods and we do not even speak the same Spanish, each and every Country that speak Spanish have there own way of saying things and Americans should learn to ask your country of origin before insulting others by assuming that because I speak Spanish I am from Mexico, which again I am not.
Well said!
By definition, Latinos are people from "the parts of the American continent where Spanish or Portuguese is the main national language (i.e., Mexico and, in effect, the whole of Central and South America including many of the Caribbean islands)," so actually, you are a Latino. People from Spain are Spanish. The word Hispanic refers to both people from Spain and people from Spanish-speaking nations or in nations influenced by Spanish culture.
Had to post...this was actually very helpful. Many people don't know and may not ask because they don't want to offend, say the wrong thing, etc. This was a very good post and linformative esson...on a message board. Who knew? Thank you.
"Lesson". Apologies
To JNIH – "Hispanic" DOES NOT mean "from Spain only" = Hispanic /hɪˈspænɪk/
adj
relating to, characteristic of, or derived from Spain or Spanish-speaking countries
n
US a person of Latin-American or Spanish descent living in the US
To FHS19 – With all due respect, I don't want to make waves, but I want you to know this – from the online dictionary:
The words Spain, Spanish, and Spaniard are of the same etymology as Hispanus, ultimately.[7]
Stele of a family of celts, hispanus from Gallaecia : Apana · Ambo/lli · f(ilia) · Celtica /Supertam(arica) · / [j] Miobri · /an(norum) · XXV · h(ic) · s(ita) · e(st) · /Apanus · fr(ater) · f(aciendum)· c(uravit)[10]
Hispanus was the Latin name given to a person from Hispania during Roman rule. In English, the term Hispano-Roman is sometimes used.[11] The Hispano-Romans were composed of people from many different tribes.[12] Some famous Hispani (plural of Hispanus) were Marcus Annaeus Lucanus, Martial, Prudentius, Theodosius I, and Magnus Maximus and Maximus of Hispania.
"His first-hand experience with how many Americans confuse all Hispanics as being Mexicans"
That's a fine example of how pathetically bad our education system has become, and how unmotivated the kids are to learn. Also the inability of teachers to discipline kids so they'll pay attention given that we've become so soft if a teach looks at a kid the wrong way it might be considered child abuse.
Wait, did someone make the official language of the U.S., English?
NO. Here is what you need to do. Call a few local principals near you and ask if you can observe some classes. Then go and set in the back. I've done this MANY times and kept notes (part of a field work for research project) I try to be "invisible" and I am mostly ignored by all.
The problem is th very wide range of kids the pulic schools have to deal with. I see in the same class kids that I wonder how they can find there way home after school and ones I know Are headed for Stanford U. All the standard tests to is reflect demographics. If a teacher is lucky enough to kid some 9th graders who can read his scores go up.
Why? (1) kids grow up to be like their parents and "poor people" is the fastest growing demographic in the US. and (2) video games, they suck up many hours of kids time and the big one (3) these kids, the poor ones, set VEY low goals and don't see a futre outside of maybe, if they are lucky working in a 7-11 store.
But on the other hand some work hard and do well. There is huge diversity so you can NOT make general statements. The "average" to you read about is just how many from each group are in the mix. In fact grades tend to be clumped near either A or F with not so many Cs handed out yet the average might be a C.
We see the same thing with "average height" say it is 5-6. But there are very few average height humans because we see women below 5-6 and men above 5-6 so the "average" is a rare thing.
How to get better teaching? It may never happen because the answer involves spending more money to reduce class sizes and hire councilors and specialists and so on. and that means taxes to raise the money. But without this the US is likely headed into a death spiral
So some people think all Hispanics are Mexicans, just like alot of people think all Asians are "Chinese", and all blacks are "African" American. Whoopie. CNN doing another pointless article about race. At least it doesn't appear that they're blaming it all on white people like they usually do. People are people – they are afflicted with the same thoughts and emotions – meaning they can look down on people not like them, or categorize others not like them – regardless of the race of the person doing the judging or being judged. There's bigger fish to fry in this world then Hondurans being offended by being called Mexican.
Very well said!
All this talk about differentiating us into Cuban American, Mexican, Salvadorean, etc. is pointlesst! I am hispanic myself and I never get offended when confused for an ethnicity that I am not. What, are we now going to ask everyone to be ethnic-telling mind readers and get offended if they don't get our ethnicity right? Come one people. Let's move on to other REAL issues. This article should talk about how us hispanics already living here in the United States should identify ourselves as AMERICANS and help build unity through that, not futher divide us.
Thank you! I wish more people were like you. I don't go around telling people that I am "anything" American, just an American.
Very well said Clara, I agree!
as quiet as it's kept a lot of Cubans in Southern Florida particularly Miami like Marco Rubio, Gloria E. and many others consider themselves as being white period. Including Desi Arnez when he was alive (old school Cubans) but they will never admit that in American society.
Your contributing to the confusion. Hispanics are from the country of Spain, and latino's are from Latin America to include Central and South America. Your confusing the two terms.
There is actually significant controversy over which term is more inclusive. You're right in saying that Latinos referrers to Latin Americans, but Hispanic is actually a more modern term invented to be inclusive of Spaniards. The most inclusive term would be ibero-american.
Thanks, you are correct =)
Not quite, Frank. "Hispanic" refers to a cultural and/or linguistic connection to Spain, and is not used to only identify just Spaniards. That connection may be by blood or language, or both Those from Mesoamerica, Central America and South America are Latinos. Brazilians are included as Latino, though they are not Hispanic, as they are Lusophones. Additionally, Hispanic and Luso Latinos are also referred to as "Iberoamericans", referencing their linguistic and cultural connection to the Iberian Peninsula (i.e. Spain and Portugal). And yes, I intentionally avoided referencing the Caribbean (DR, PR, Cuba).
This is exactly right. Hispanic does not mean Mexican. Hell, it doesn't even mean Nicaraguan, Columbian, or Chilean. It's original and intended usage was to refer to people from the ancient Roman province of Hispania, which consisted of several different Hispaniae, i.e. Tarraconensis, Baetica, etc. I find it disturbing that the modern usage of the term does not even include Spaniards in it when they are in fact the only "true" Hispanics, i.e. people from the Iberian peninsula. Peoples from Latin America or Mexico or Cuba, etc., are more properly Latin Americans, or Latinos. That way the terminology does not exclude from consideration the progenitors of the entire Spanish speaking population. There, I'm done.
And when I say that it does not include Spaniards, that is speaking from experience. I am of 100% spanish descent, both parents born there. I have consistently been told that I am not Hispanic by other spanish speaking peoples, mainly Mexican and Puerto Rican. I am not singling them out but it is a good example of the problem with the use of the term "Hispanic." It should really be abandoned altogether or be used in the same was as the word "oriental," i.e. referring only to items, not people.
Oh boy, you are SO wrong. Hispanics refer to the group of people that speak Spanish. It includes poeple that speak spanish from anywhere in the world. People from Spain are called Spaniards or Spanish people. Latin Americans are those from countries that speak a romance language, such as Spanish, Portuguese, and French. However, traditionally, we only use the term latinos almost exclusively for people of Central and South America (sometimes including Brazil).
You are in fact wrong. As mentioned above, Hispanic's first and truest usage is to refer to people from Hispania, i.e. the Iberian peninsula. That is has been expanded to encompass Spanish speaking peoples is a modern invention. It is a regional descriptive term used to refer to people from a specific area, not based on their language. The modern usage contributes to significant confusion even amongst Spanish-speaking peoples and should be abandoned to avoid usages such as the one you are putting forward.
Perhaps everyone should try to be Americans rather than (nationality/ethnicity/race)-Americans. My mom is from Scandinavia, but we're generally not flying Swedish flags, driving Volvos, and dancing around Maypoles. Even the cafeteria at IKEA serves ribs now. I'm a Southerner, but I don't drive around in a pickup listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd all the time either. I also don't fly a Confederate flag.
If you have come here from another country, have obtained citizenship, and consider yourself an American, you shouldn't be flying the flag of another nation. If you do on special occasions, you should observe proper flag etiquette and fly an American flag as well. You should also try to speak English as much as possible and practical. All of these things will help you assimilate.
I completely agree with you. I am hispanic myself and have been stating very similar ideas, such as what you stated in your comments. Then I get called a coconut: brown on the outside, but white on the inside. I say we hispanics that live in the U.S. should identify ourselves as Americans first and foremost. We hispanics are also very guilty of reverse discrimination....and for stating so, I'll probably get called a coconut again.
As Panamanian and American I HATE being classified as mexican or spanish person. Im neither and many most hispanics. Mexico has the most people and more history but are considered to be the ignorance of Latin America. I have mexican friends and we have some similarities but I dont like being mistaken for a mexican. Im proud of being Panamanian and American so other Americans dont be ignorant and think that every brown skin spanish speaking person is from Mexico. If you are unsure of someone is from just plain ask before assuming. I speak for many many hispanics on this.
Agree, I am from Panama too, I feel exactly the same way. i am an American who grow up in Panama and I am not a shame of that. I speak both languages but I do get offended when I am confused with Mexican.
If you're a pale white South American of mainly European descent–of which there are many in Chile and Argentina–forget about it. Nobody will believe you're Latin American ("Latino") until you start speaking Spanish. And even then, some will say you're not a "real" Latino. There is no winning!
So true
You both are right. My husband is Colombian, and gets mistaken for White all the time, until he speaks fluent spanish. Me on the other hand always get thought to be mexican, when I am Native American. Never going to change what people see.
I am shocked that their is racism inside the latino/hispanic community towards their own!! Actually I am being facetious, working in an industry that has a large hispanic/latino presence I see it daily, ask a light skinned hispanic/latino person to go work outside with his darker skinned coworkers, there is no greater insult than to treat them as equals
Wow. Now that tells you that we have a serious problem with people in this country on the lack of education.
I love team zombies and their simple answers.
I am Latino or Hispanics it's the same for me, to understand your comment, please explain the difference.
But you would correct them if they said you were a Polish-American, I presume.
If they cared enough to inquire about my background, absolutely. Point is, to other ethnicities, I'm just part of one big white blob of people to them. If I ask someone if they're mexican, that means I'm actually trying to find out their background other than generalizing them all as Latino. See what I'm getting at?
Boo hoo, all whites aren't Irish.
And the article failed to mention that the brazilian population in the US is close to approaching 1 million that primarily reside in the Miami, New York, Chicago and Boston metropolian areas. Although they are not spanish speaking they are considered Latino.
.Perhaps having a pope from that part of the world will let Americans realize what a diversity of nationalities there are in America Central South North .
white Africans are African, if born in America or US Naturalized Citizen they'er African Americans but they would never want to be called neither one yet it's the truth.
The word "latino" also includes people born in Spain not only the Americas
WRONG! People from Spain (Espana) are called Spaniards. They are of the Romance Languages. Latin America is solely South America. You should have learned that in grade school.
South and Central America, plus Mexico
What Southernsuga said is correct!
Mostly agree with Southernsuga! However the term Latin America includes the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America.
WRONG! the word "latino" derives from LATIN which basically means that technically EVERYBODY who speaks a romance language as a first language (or children and/or peoplewho might have it as a second and regardless of race)...I've had Italians coming to me and saying that they are "latino" too which makes perfect sense...so people from Spain. Portugal, Italy, France and even Romania are LATINOS.
The name latino refers to Latin America. Actually people from Latin America are latinos, not hispanic. The people from Spain are hispanic. In fact, having lived in Spain, I was made aware early on that they do NOT want to be lumped in with anyone from Latin America. They point out the latinos usually are a mixture of indian and white, which the true Spaniard is not. The Spaniard (hispanic) is white, often with blue eyes and light hair. They are also taller. Calling a latino "hispanic" is like calling an American "English".
The name Latinos comes from Latin and it is NOT a race its only that we share Latin routed language
no, that's hispanics.
I find it interesting that most non-Mexican Hispanics get extremely offended if you call them Mexican. It's an insult or social slight to most of them. BTW, I know plenty of Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, Guatamalans and Peruvians, not to mention many native tribal members. Accept people for WHO they are, not where they came from.
I find it sad and defeatist. The longer we break ourselves up into tiny non-consequential sub groups the longer we will go without developing the strength we need in order to progress and empower ourselves.
Mexicans think that they sound a little bit more white, if they say Hispanic. Hispanics are from Hispaniola. Hispanic is a generic term used by the government, to make it easier to lump all Spanish speaking people into one. Mexicans are Aztec and Mayan Indians. Call it like it is.
But that would include you too.
The problem with that is there are plenty of white and black Latin Americans!
If a Mexican, Guatemalan, or Honduran is brown, it is because he or she is descended from the native people of this continent.
You people who call Mexicans inferior or illegals, or whatever are the problem....EVEN IF or maybe especially because you're Latino yourself (I'm looking at you Canadian Dominican Commenter)
Furthermore, to my point:
I don't think it's that American's see all Latinos as being only Mexican. I believe it's pure laziness that causes Americans to equate anyone with an accent and dark features to a Mexican. Why would anyone in the land of excess and instant gratification take the time to properly categorize a minority?
Also an FYI to the other Latinos who've commented above with the negativity: I'd like to say, as a Mexican American, I get just as offended when someone calls your people (Guatemalan, Salvadoran, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Venezuelan, Argentinean, Chilean, etc.) Mexican, but clearly for different reasons. Don't be idiots guys.
Read the report, no where does it actually say Americans think all hispanic/latino people are Mexican, CNN is trolling with controversial headlines
In California there is a heavy Mexican presence. It is very easy for someone to mistake someone of latin decent as Mexican. It's the same in Miami with the Cubans. NY and Puerto Ricans. I think folks are just being way too sensative. What happened to everyone (that is here legally) just being American? If you are here illegally then quite frankly it shouldn't matter. It just shows you that at the end of the day everyone will fight for and protect the Country they or their parents hail from and screw the Country that gave them their freedoms or whatever it was they were searching for here in America. If you were born here guess what? You are American, like it or not.
When in America, and you are a citizen, you are all just going to have to be American to me. I really don't care if you came from Russia, Mexico, South Africa, or Hondura. Not really interested in your customs, language, etc. If you can't speak English, then we'll be at an impasse, because I'm not going through the trouble of learning a foreign language to communicate with people in my own country. I'm all for allowing people to become citizens, but don't expect us to change for you. I wouldn't move to Russia and expect the entire country to learn my customs and language and to be able to tell me apart from a Canadian.
I think most immigrants would love to learn english. But don't have the means to.
Where there is a will, there is a way.
Don't blame it on rac ism.
Classes for English are free. Contact you public education system in the phone book or on the 'puter'.
Ay, Chingon. Every wave of immigrants to the US for the past few centuries who came from non-English-speaking countries learned English in time. The Russians, the Poles, the Germans, the Italians–they all learned English, and their children grew up speaking fluent English. I can understand people who arrived in the US only recently not knowing English, but after a few years there is no excuse, and certainly no excuse if their children cling to their mother tongue.
White American, Honey, and damn proud of it!
Exactly, thank you. Well said.
Given that Mexican culture has been shoved down most American's throats for so long, indeed being labeled as Hispanic, can you really blame most Americans for not knowing the difference? Just look at Univision as an example. They claim to be a universal television station for all Hispanic groups, but the programming is primarily Mexican.
Walter I am a Mexican and I am unhappy with the cheese shows from Univision and the other TV stations which by the way are run by Cubans and our local stations are run by Jews. OMG and the spanish the is utilize for the commercials is so sad.
I'm not white, that's a generalization. I'm German-American. Someone called me "kraut" once at work once and I complained to HR but they laughed at me.
I guess just being "American" isn't enough. Until it is, there will always be people placed into categories of black, white, Asian, Mexican, Hispanic, Cuban and so forth.
Typical. Most Americans are ignorant and insensitive to ethnicity. Just like calling any black...African American.
Unfortunately, too many Americans have no idea–nor care to learn–about other cultures, people of other counties or even simple geography.
My favorite story is when, the day after 9/11, a bunch of young males started running around some college campus beating up anyone who "looked like an Iraqi".
They attacked a third generation, American citizen of Italian heritage.
The courtroom video showed three guys who looked like they had virtually no IQ between them, answer to the judge "well....he looked like a guy from Iraq".
Ridiculous. But, regrettably, all too common in this country.
Cool story, bro.
One story does not equal "Typical". THe author of this article made a racist statement about "most Americans" and then offered no evidence what so ever to support the claim. The antidotal evidence provided by one guy in a resteraunt. As usual CNN post a racially charged article with no real reporting.
More importantly, Mexicans who have been on this land long before the pilgrims, DO NOT like being called Hispanic and find it a big insult to be grouped with small islands, central and south american countries. Mexico is a rich history and is beautiful country.
Alex, you said "More importantly, Mexicans who have been on this land long before the pilgrims, DO NOT like being called Hispanic and find it a big insult to be grouped with small islands, central and south american countries. Mexico is a rich history and is beautiful country."
Well Americans who now reside on and rule this land, DO NOT like the fact that Mexicans chose to defy our laws and jump the border, sneak in, and just plain have no respect for America/Americans. Immigrants that came here through legal means also DO NOT like when the Mexicans "jump the line" they see it "as a big insult" that they took the time to do things the right way and the Mexicans do what they want. If their Country is so beautiful why are they running over here?
Since you think Mexican's are superior, you should move to Mexico and live with the cartels.
hispanic is offensive to a lot of folks. latino is better. and let's not forget what makes us brown, usually, is our native roots. and argentinians are usually european, not as mixed as the rest of latin america. but over all, we're humans. and as long as that's what counts, don't worry about labels.
Not true, when you are in Buenos Aires that might be the case, but get out of Buenos Aires and people tend to look just like the majority of people in Ecuador or Bolivia. The only difference being is that people from Buenos Aires tend to believe they were actually born in Europe. Uruguay is the same to some extent, only a lot poorer.
Please read between the lines of this article, this is made to make feel in a certain way. I don't agree with what this article says because of the tone, and the implementation of keywords and statistics to hold a negative value towards a large ethnic group that has been piled under the term Latino. Go and translate this article and put it on CNN en Español, so how far you go, and lets see if your editor will approved this article. In simple terms, open your mind, search for information that you want to get informed on, and generate your own opinion, do not rely on the TV.
If the business and signage in in Spanish and unless your sign states "Traditional Honduran Cuisine" (in English), its a very reasonable assumption that the place is Mexican. I bet there are better than 1000 Mexican restaurants in America for every Honduran one.
If the guy is so indignant about his poor little feelings being hurt because people mistake his restaurant for being Mexican I hope Mexicans in Los Angeles stop frequenting his place and eat somewhere else where they are treated with more respect. If he is so offended about being mistaken for a Mexican then he probably does not like them.
I have no problems with Mexicans. I wouldn't be with one for 6 years if I did
Missed the point Massoud, it's not taking offense at being thought of as Mexican. It's taking offense at the assumptions non-hispanic, non-Mexicans make.
Remember that it is only a segment of Americans that think this way. They are very ignorant. The same way they think all blacks are Muslim. Their ignorant minds always wants to place other nationalities in a negative light. They want to call you a terrorist or a drug dealer. This is because their culture is so perverted, it is hard for them to respect someone else's. Also, they feel, "how can you be empowered if you think your someone else?' This is what the JEDI MIND TRICK is used for. It will have you thinking, "Well, maybe I am Mexican."
I see some ignorance spilling out of this post as well. I never have met a person of any race who thought all black people were muslim. Maybe that's because only a minority of black people in the America and in the world are muslim.
You also confuse ignorance for negativity. Ignorance just means absence of knowledge. People in America are most aware of Mexicans when it comes to Latin America. Mexicans make up the vast majority of Latin Americans in the US. It is a very fair assumption that most Spanish speaking people you meet, especially in the West and Southwest, are Mexican. I see the point of this article as reminding people that there are a few other places Spanish speaking Americans find their origins. Someone needs the chip on their shoulder filled in.
I will agree with you Kelly. I live in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area and I can tell you that we don't have a large Mexican population here (Some, yes). But we have Cubans, Colombians, Dominicans, Venezuelans, Hondurans, etc. They all speak Spanish but are culturally different.
While I agree that the majority of hispanic people are from Mexico, "vast majority" is not correct. There is a large Cuban populace in this country as well as many people from nuerous other South American countries. Many illegals move through Mexico as they travel to the US as well. The bottom line is that there are hispanic peoples from all over in the US today.
Whites? What does that mean? I hope nobody confuses me with you.
What does he have against Mexicans?? I had a latina girlfriend who was also all snobby about it -she didnt even like to be called latina – she was "Cuban" – and of Spanish descent, to be sure. Anything "less", she took as an insult.
I don't know, do you like being called Australian when you are an American? I mean really what's the difference they were both ex British colonies and speak English, so they must be identical.
I really wouldn't care if you called me australian instead of american. I have bigger things to worry about. GET OVER YOUR DAMNED SELVES
Get over yourself, yes you would care and it would sound ridiculous.
You are the one that makes no sense. If you didn't care you should have bothered to respond. Let me educate you. People in the US are called Latino and Hispanic based on the fact they were part of the Spanish Empire-that's all, there is no other similarities with people in those countries. Latin American countries have other languages like Portuguese and South American countries aren't all part of Latin America just to make it more confusing . No one has ever asked if I was Mexican, most Americans are polite and ask what me about my background. They are genuinely curious because I am unique looking. So trust me there aren't all these people being offended.
The article starts off by talking about a Honduran restaurant. If you ever get the chance, don't pass up the opportunity to try Honduran food.
One good dish is the Baleada. It's made with a flour tortilla filled with scrambled eggs, refried beans, cheese and cream, and different cooks put different twists on it. In Honduras there is a restaurant called "Baleadas Express" and they put sliced avocados in there. Mmmm.
Another dish is the pupusa which is a corn tortilla stuffed with refried beans and cheese and sometimes pork. These are pretty good, but they can be heavy in the stomach which I don't like too much.
There is a cheese called "cuajada". It's a soft cheese. A lot of the Central American cheeses are dry and flaky and salty, but cuajada is very moist.
Then there is "arroz con pollo" which is just as the name suggests, and this can be very good or it can be very bad if they overcook the chicken. They have a sauce called "pico de gallo" which looks kind of like Mexican salsa, but it's totally different.
Finally, a drink is called "Atol de Elote" which is somewhere in between a warm corn-flavored milk shake and corn-flavored pudding with little corn kernels in there. That might not sound appetizing, but let me tell you it is incredible.
Whew, thank goodness, this is out. I don't ever again want to be referred to as anglo. I want you to be sure and find out exactly what country i descend from when you refer to me. Anything else is just racist....
I guess if you were from Ireland, someone might call you Irish. It would be pretty silly to call someone "German" if they were from Ireland. Don't you think? Just as silly as calling someone "Mexican" when they're from Argentina.
anglo is generally referred to as english, not german italian etc., same thing as the point of this article
The point of the article is the folly in calling someone Mexican when they're not from Mexico.
We need to be more sensitive to their cultures and learn all about which of these countries they are from and what their history is. In fact, we should teach all of these cultures and histories in our public schools. We should just cut out reading, writing and arithmetic all together. Or, we could just tell all these foreigners to go home.
. . . and take their 11 million criminal illegal aliens with them.
You are so ignorant...
What about the Legal, Born American Citizens by right that happen to speak Spanish?
We could also stop using the terms Latino and Hispanic to make up some fake group with people who have nothing in common except for being an ex colony of Spain. That's part of the problem. Honduran should be Honduran, Cubans should be Cubans. All these countries are amazing on their own.
Americans are ignorant to other people's nationalities and heritage? More fresh news at 11. Someone once told me that from Mexico down to Brazil is all the same (I think he didn't say Uruguay because he probably didn't know it was even a country).......Honestly there is not much in common between Mexico and Uruguay or Brazil.
This is rather true. In my case, people think I am Mexican because of my surname. I have light skin so it makes them look at me funny. Last time I checked I was born in the United States so that makes me American. My ancestors come from Spain so if you really wanna nail it down, I am Spanish American. People love to just lump us all together. I guess it makes it easier for the small minded.
Funny article.
Puerto Ricans are US citizens, and Puerto Rico is part of the US, which is why you do not need a passport to go there.
I think Puerto Ricans are originally Hispanic because they were a Spain colony , now they feel to be Americans but this is only for business . Being American for convenience .
This whole not knowing that since 1917 puertoricans are american citizens I find to be really offensive. I mean you have no desire to find out what composes your own citizenry? Especially us puertoricans who have produced medal of honor recipients and hundreds of thousands of veterans for your country. One of the reasons I feel anger towards people from the US and why I wish my country of Puerto Rico to separate from the US.
CNN could only come up with 7 photos?
How poor of them.
Time to trash CNN.
This is not news, CNN. Enough with all these racial opinion pieces. How about you *try* to get back to actual meaningful reporting and journalism?
Why is CNN lecturing us on what to call people when they have terminal PC disease?
As a Mexican-American, I'm somewhat offended by this article. Comes across as if Mexicans are inferior in terms of education and income and as if we want all Latinos/Hispanics labeled as Mexican. Just like they don't want that neither do we. Don't blame us for the ignorance and laziness of white people.
I'm always glad to here success stories coming from Latinos. And I will say that I make $130k a year and going up. I have a brother who went to Yale. I have three siblings who graduated from college and myself too. Several cousins as well. And the next generation is only going to do better. Mexican-Americans are going up and taking more important positions in our American Society. Don't believe the stereotypes of the media that try to put you down and rise above the hate.
And also, I have to say that just because a lot of Mexicans (or any other Latin group) are poor, that does not make them bad people. I know several neighborhoods where it's low income but filled with good people. Good families. And white people are scared to go in to. Don't be ignorant like this Herewe Goagain chic.
Hey fellow mex, no need to be alarmed by those numbers. I had to stop and think about the median wage for Arg and Ven to be about 10k higher. For the super poor Mexican Citizens, all it takes is to hop a fence; for the Super poor Arg and Ven, I assume that most stay in their country and don't bother traveling thousands of miles to reach the US for lack of $$$. Therefore the only Arg and Ven that actually make it to the US are the ones that had $$ and more $$ USUALLY means more education.
Also,
Americans are not just USA People, there is North, Central and South America, so most "Hispanics" are AMERICANS as well, that is something the US citizens must change in their mind.
That logic is beyond the grasp of the average citizen of the USA.
Which is why we are called the "United States of America" and not the "United States of South America or North America".
North, Central, and South America are names of CONTINENTS with many countries within their borders. America is the name of a COUNTRY. Being a resident/former resident of a non U.S. America does not make you an American citizen.
YES YES YES THANK YOU!!! I swear some people need to go back to school before commenting!
-Facepalm-
Wait ! you are wrong my friend : AMERICA is the CONTINENT and it has three SUB-CONTINENTS OR REGIONS . North America , Central America and South America.
Don't forget that there are also "Real Americans" and fake Americans – at least according to Repuplicans.
Agreed , we are all Americans living in the Continent called America and America it's not just the United States of America. Wrong information planted in the American children since they step school and repeated over the times .
"Many Americans think all Hispanics are Mexican" because many Americans are as dumb as posts!
And we've been invaded!
At least in Florida, politicians only notice two Hispanic communities: Cubans and everyone else.
....and the Pope is Catholic!!! most Americans are ignorant. An Asian American person will tell you that most Americans think Asians = Chinese! LOL and that he is a foreigner nevermind the fact that he was born here. Most Latinos can relate to that as well.
Most Americans think there are only 3 types of major groups in the US. White Americans, Black Americans and Foreigners.
Too many or mostly American people are not educated enough to differentiate Mexican from Ecuadorians, Salvadorian, etc. they are all Latinos or Hispanics form different South American nations.
Again I doubt it is mostly or too many. If you want the real truth here it is. People don't have the time to sit there and try to identify the region you belong to exactly. Myself I don't care. If I call you a mexican and you are not, that doesn't mean I dont know that hondurans, salvadorians and the like exists... it means i didnt stop and ask you where your from and then take the time to correct myself. Get over your damn selves. No one cares. You call me an american, you call me white. Well I am now thinking you are a racist because I am clearly polish.
Advise : call them Latinos or Hispanic instead of trying to figure out what country they belong , can you differentiate South Koreans from Cambodian ? the same issue , but they are all Asian people , that's the point .
Again American people lack of enough education to know what happens below Rio Grande river.
I've heard that Hispanic wasn't a politically correct term because not everyone from Central or South America considered themselves of Spanish descent, and the same kind of thing for Latino, because that implied Latin (or at least Latin American) descent. And I know that calling someone from say, Peru a Mexican is wrong (I wouldn't want to be called Canadien – no offense). SO what the heck is the correc term?
the correct term is to ask. Just like american indians who define themselves by their tribe, we define ourselves by our heritage. I am Puerto Rican, no Hispanic, Mexican, etc. and PR is not an immigrant. PR has been a US territory since 1917.
Why would anyone stop and ask? WHO CARES!!!!! If I call you Mexican and that is enough to upset you, the problem is with you not with me. If you mistook me for mexican because I am a fairly tanned white guy I could care less! If you mistook me for german but I am polish I have enough sense to know that you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Catering to or trying to cater to any race is what creates such a divide. GET OVER IT!
Yeah LB! That place is so tasty.
The term Hispanic is an ethnic grouping for CITIZENS who didn't feel they should be grouped as Mexican-Americans or Spanish Americans. This termed was coined during the Nixon administration.
They are only Spanish-American if they are from Spain but no one would say that just like no one calls themselves German-American or French-American.
how about just calling them people?
I added a comment last night, but it didn't post. Dear writiers of this article and Mr. Logan,
What was your point, to say that Mexicans are the least eduacated, less likely to assimilate, and poorest Hispanic group? This article is offensive. You said that Puerto Ricans were never immigrants, but apparently you have never heard of THE TREATY OF GUADALUPE HIDALGO. That treaty made Mexicans living in the American west when that land became the U.S. American CItizens, so that group of Mexcians was never an immigrant group either by your logic. And, yes, obviuosly Hispanics (people who speak Spanish) and Latinos (people from Latin, Portuguese, French, Romamnian, Italian, or Spanish) Speaking Countries are diverse. Latin American is a region of the world, like Asia, comprised of different countries with different foods and customs. Mexicans derive their name Mexico from the land of the Amerinidan group called the Mexicas, or Aztecs. They lived here in North America for thousands of years before people from across the ocean invaded them. Much of their Mexican cuisine has not changed. Corn, and Chile was eaten here for thousads of years. They also contributed chocolate, vanilla, and tomatoes to the cuisine of the world. Please stop promoting negative stereotypes. This is a land formed from immmigrants and they all came here to seek better opportunities than the ones they had back in their homeland, be it Europe, Asia, Africa, or other areas of the Americas. THanks.
Plase before you even begin to speak for all latin people in the US, learn how to write properly.
Yea, because according to you all Hispanic immigrants are illegal.
Or mistaken for someone who speaks English. But I don't think you have to worry about that. None whatsoever.
this is stupid get us all fighting each other over crap really, and who you are look its smiple u born in a america your a american thats all who cares about what race or ethinc group u came from..
I just want to share a few stupid things I have heard over the Years.... I'm Puerto Rican, Born and Raised ... but ignorant people cant tell the difference ...
Dude # 1:. hey, you are from Puerto Rico?? / ME; Yes / Dude: What part of Mexico is that?? Me: ( Facepalm )
Dude # 2: Hey Puerto Rico is in the Caribbean sea right?? / ME: Yes!! / Does that mean Fidel Castro is your Lider?? ME:( Double Facepalm )
DuDe #3: Hey dude, / Me : Yeah !!! / DuDe #3 you is from Pro Rico? .... Me: From where? / DUDE #3 PRO Rico !!!....... Me: ( just jumped of Coronado Bridge in San Diego Bay while facepalming myself in Mid Air )
Educate Your self before you open your mouth ..... please ..... or just dont reproduce.... PLEASE !!!
Puerto Rico is great. Every time I go Mexico I either go there or Porta Vallarta. They're both good.
And you still have your head? That's surpising.
That has to be a pretty expensive trip, after visiting the Mexican Country you go past 3 islands by crossing a whole sea to make it to the Puerto Rican US Territory...
I live in New York City, amongst many Puerto Ricans, and if you are basing the right to reproduce on someones knowledge of geography, then there wouldn't be any Puerto Ricans. I think they are some of the most ignorant people in NYC, and I base that on behavior that I witness at events like the Puerto Rican Day parade etc. All ethnic groups have their shortcomings.
Actually, there would be a lot more of us, since we actually know that there are more than 1 Country in the world, and we do bother knowing the differences between them, not only geographic, but political.
Try being Iranian and getting mistaken for an Arab by about 99.5% of the American population.
People from Mexico = Mexicans. From Spain = Spaniards. From Argentina = Argentinians. ..... Bolivians, Russians, British, Hungarians, Iraqis, Australians ......... and on + on we go! There are Whites, Blacks, Orientals, Latinos ...... etc... etc. Nothing's changed! – @Marita.
By George she's got it! She's really got it!!! HORAY!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, I get called SPANISH all the time (am from Mexico), I want to say to people who speak English as their first language that they are ENGLISH people. I bet that does not go over well!!
oriental is what you use to describe a type of furniture. i think the term you are looking for is asian.
The more I read CNN the more I notice stories like this that appear to have no other purpose than to attempt to victimize a group and stir up racial hatred and finger-pointing. I'm sure when European-Americans become a minority in the US all current minorities will experience perfect harmony and equality. It will be a utopia. Never mind that many of the countries people immigrate from are awful backward places full of poverty and crime. I'm sure that these Hondurans are intimately familiar with the differences between Chinese and Koreans, between Thai and Vietnamese, between Somalians and Ethiopians, between Bulgarians and Romanians, and between Indians and Pakistanis. This story is not only stupid, but it is harmful.
Yes, exactly what I was going to say. I wonder how many people of all other nationalities take the time to distinguish English from Germans from Italians from Irish from Canadian? None, of course. But it is only the big bad white man that is insensitive. You're also right about what a "wonderful" place America will be once whites are in the minority. They seem to think it's the geography that made America great, all they have to do is take control of it. Enjoy the third world hell hole you will be turning America into.
I get what they are saying is like when they said immigrant people tend to think is only mexican personally is confusing to me when they ask me what I am when have to fill an application or form are you black or are you hispanic (because am black and panamanian) but I consider myself hispanic but I keep asking my self what I have too put
You have to put HISPANIC regardless of "color".
I would put black, gets you farther in terms of the benefits, there are less blacks than hispanics.
Nicole, q xopa? As a Panamanian, I guess I had the same experience, I was filling a paper work for my graduation and I check Hispanic, and then Central America, I was thinking that it was enough but then the University sent me an e-mail asking about my racial background, not only if I am Hispanic, but white, black, native or mixed race, so I answer mixed race, and they replied what races? so I answer native and white, and they asked if I know which tribe, I mean more than 75 % of the people on my country, Panama, have at least two races, my daughter have three, since my wife is black, so try to make a box for os is almost impossible
I have studied Spanish for years, which involves watching A LOT of tv, movies, news, etc from all over the Spanish-speaking world. I am FAR from ignorant regarding the differences between their cultures. With that said, this is so so stupid. I'm of Norwegien descent and more than once people have either not known what, let alone where, Norway is, or best case scenario know of the country, but nothing about the culture (and I say "the" not "my" culture, because "my" culture is American, as it has been for 3 generations). Seriously, man up, if you honestly have time to cry about something like this you are lucky to have such an easy life.
First of all, let me say that I am Hispanic and I want to talk about this issue!
Every Latin American Individual from every country (in Latin America) thinks he or she is better than the other nationalities, when the reality is that most of them should consider themselves 'less worse' than the others. When the author mentions that 'South Americans' and Cubans have different backgrounds than the rest, it's true, but that sadly doesn't make them better individual than the rest. The most cultivated, educated and moral people from Latin America are the lowest percentages in the U.S. regardless of country of origin.
There is a great number of individuals in South America specially, but also in the US, who boast of a past of European descent and hardly show some kind of education or respect for any citizen of any other nationality, culture or origin. I wonder why they don't go to Europe and stay there. Readers, please judge by the responses to this comment.
With a little common sense, Latin American people should try to better themselves and help each other every day to stop being perceived and profiled the way 'the experts' profile us.
It is wrong to say all Mexicans are illegal. They're not. Only about 96%. A friend of my neighbor's cousin's high school buddy knew a guy who once met a Mexican who actually had a legal visa on a legitimate passport. So you can't tell me they're all illegal.
I don't care what your color you are. If you are here illegally and are sucking away at our economy and not paying into our tax system, then that is a problem. Our country is a melting pot full of immigrants who pledge allegiance to our flag and pay into our tax system; but those who are here illegally and ship their U.S. earnings tax-free, over the border (and many are also leaching off our health-care system), that's reprehensible. Our country should NOT enable this; but it does.
I respect your opinion I do but think who is going to pick this vegetable you eat who will clean your offices or be the nanny in general who do you think are the people that is going to do the jobs that no body want to do and am no talking only about the hispanic or latinos which are not all the immigrants in the US think about a day with out immigrants ( you can check the movie too) it will not be as perfect as you think plus you was born in the US your parents, grandparents but most likely like every body is this world in their background somebody came from another country to find a better life
Actually, one set of my grandparents immigrated here from Ireland, and my other grandfather from Germany. When my Irish grandparents arrived, they kissed the ground and became American citizens who worked hard and paid taxes as did my German grandfather. Neither ever disrespected the US, and certainly never flew a flag from their birth country. They were proud to be Americans and upheld the law and principles of our government until the day they died. You can clean floors and wash windows or whatever, just do it as a lawful American who pays into our tax system and defends our country. Otherwise, you can go do that in your own country. Period.
Nicole– Your post is completely misguided and otherwise erroneous. We permit 1 Million LEGAL immigrants into the U.S. every year! There is NO BENEFIT, and, in fact, there is an extraordinary cost to permit millions of ILLEGAL FOREIGN NATIONALS to be rewarded and receive special treatment because of their selfish decisions to violate our laws with impunity. American taxpayers are funding the healthcare and other social welfare costs of this blackmarket labor pool that you endorse. Make no mistake– we all pay for it! What you support in this regard is a form of corporate welfare whereby the true costs of the labor is being passed along to the unwilling American taxpayers! ILLEGAL labor is NOT CHEAP!
I believe Hispanic original meaning was meant for people from the iberian pennisula in the Roman Province of Hispania.. Latino or Latin is the language that was spoken by the tribe that became the foundation of Rome. So how in the world can you call puerto ricans, mexicans, brazilians or colombians hispanics or latino beats me. I think they should just be called by what they are from nicaraguans, ecuadorians, hondurans etc etc, the latino and hispanic is just very mislabeled by the media.
Agreed. Same with "Asians". At some point the Chinese and Koreans decided to appropriate "Asia" for themselves, ignoring the fact that there are over 80 countries on the continent of Asia, most of whom look nothing like the Chinese and Koreans. You know, ones who have normal eyes. They should be called Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, or whatever country they happen to from. If they're ashamed of where they're from, they should just call themselves "human" and not drag the rest of Asia down with them.
Hispanic comes from "America Hispana" which is how the Spaniards called their colonies in the Americas – They called the people born there "Hispanos." Latino comes from "Amérique Latine" which is how the French used to call the Portuguese, Spanish, and French colonies in the Americas. That is how in the world people started calling them that. It is not that hard to understand actually; when you have a colony, you call it whatever you want to call it.