What is the proper term for someone of Latin American ancestry?

[XemaSab]

I've heard Latin American, Latino/Latina, Hispanic, Chicano, Mestizo, Spanish, Mexican (or other specific nationality), and more.

So what's the difference?

Which terms are preferred and which are less accepted?

:shrug:

[RagingInMiami]

1. ILLEGAL!

Ooops sorry, that's another thread.

There is not one proper way. Some Hispanics prefer to be called Latinos while others prefer to be called Hispanics. Some, like me, don't give a shit one way or the other. If you want to be specific about my background, call me a Colombian-American.

I've found that generally speaking, Hispanics east of the Mississippi River use Hispanic while west of the Mississippi, they use Latino.

Chicano only defines a Mexican-American.

Mestizo means you're a mix of Indian and Spanish and can be from anywhere in Latin America, including Brazil, where the Mestizos are a mix of Indian and Portugese.

[UTUSN]

2. I don't like "Latino" - I don't know WHY!!1 n/t

[reyd reid reed]

3. Why does there have to be a term at all?

I was probably 25 years old...maybe a little older...before I realized that people of Latin descent were considered a different race.

I know, I know...go ahead...blast me. Cultural identity and ethnic heritage and all that stuff. I'm ready.

[XemaSab]

6. My neighborhood is full of people who speak Spanish

and know what to do with nopales and patas de puerco? :shrug:

Seriously, I think in 50 years no one will understand what the fuss was about, but for now I have a lot of neighbors with nice tans who I find it hard to communicate with. :D

[RagingInMiami]

10. If they don't speak English

You call them Latinos.

[Oeditpus Rex]

4. Earthling

[speedoo]

5. Spanish is incorrect..

Unless the person being referred to is actually from Spain.

It's an easy mistake to make since Spanish is the language most speak.

[XemaSab]

8. I know that some people are sort of racist about their own ancestry

and refer to themselves as "Spanish" when really they're only partly Spanish? :shrug:

I have only seen this rarely though.

[caty]

7. American

[XemaSab]

9. I'm trying to find the PC term here

I think differences should be celebrated.

[pitohui]

11. i prefer to be accurate and refer to the specific nationality

i used to hear chicano and spanish when i was a child, but spanish should really only refer to people from spain and i guess chicano has been replaced by latino?

latin american seems ok if you're referring to the entire region

it gets confusing, does central american include mexico, or is mexico in north america, well, check your bird book, it will be usa/canada only which may be correct ornithologically but it is not really correct geographically

maybe i'll go back to referring to everyone as "hey you"