The Terms Hispanic And Latino In The United States
The United States is known for its diverse cultural and racial population. This has contributed significantly to its position as a global power and a safe haven for immigrants. Nevertheless, there has been major racial and cultural problems that have shaken the very foundation of national cohesion. Black and Latin Americans have been victims of racial discrimination often having to put up with devastating stigma and discrimination. Seeking identity has been among the major ways these groups advance towards freedom and prosperity. Hispanic and Latino the most common identities for American citizens with a Spanish ancestry (Alcoff, 2005). Despite their seemingly identical meaning, they often harbor serious implications on the identity of this group.
Each term represents how the society views these people as well as how they view themselves. This paper entails an enquiry into Latino and Hispanic identities as the most common terms used while referring to citizens of Spanish ancestry. The effect of each term on their identity shall be discussed finally determining which among the two best serves the interests of the people. The terms Latino and Hispanic are interchangeably used mostly depending on who is using them. Hispanic is a government-induced reference for people with a Spanish origin. The Office of Management and Budget refers to these people as ‘Hispanic or Latino’ (Bureau, 2018). This generalizes citizens with Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Mexican origin. Hispanic is, therefore, the commonest reference in government circles. In the neighborhoods, this term is less common and instead, Latino is a more preferable term. People with Spanish ancestry see Hispanic as an induced term whereas Latino is perceived as their homegrown term and therefore often identify with it is public. Despite the general perspective between this group, there are variations regarding which term individuals or smaller groups prefer. One group strictly sticks to Latino, another has no problem whichever is used while a third one is for Hispanic identity (Treviño, 1987). The following sections provide a discussion of the motivation and reasoning behind these divergent views.
Income stratification has influenced the identity preference among citizens with a Spanish origin. Low-income earners who fall mostly victim of racial injustices prefer the term Latino (Calderón, 1992). They struggle to establish their identity in the face of a society and government which seems to do nothing to help them. Latino is, therefore, a more political-oriented term compared to Hispanic. It signifies undying efforts to become a strong organization that can help poor people bargain for a better future. The annexation of Mexican territory by the US resulted to huge attrition as the people of these two nations struggled to coexist in harmony. This sparked racial motives which ripple even today despite major reforms that abolished the reference of Hispanics as a race on its own (Treviño, 1987). People who still hold these sentiments fuel the political motive among Latinos. Latino's motive is, therefore, more political than identity-based.
Middle-income earners with Spanish ancestry seem to have no problem with the term used to identify them. These groups hold some managerial positions at work, own small t middle-scale businesses and may even be property owners (Calderón, 1992). Financial freedom turns their attention away from ethnic identity. High-income earners express no concern to any form of ethnic identity and often prefer being referred to as ‘Americans'. They feel more patriotic and part of the American culture with little or no obligation towards their ethnic orientation. This variation between the uses of the two reference terms along income stratification lines further draws the line between them (Alcoff, 2005). It also acts as a barrier to the tireless efforts by low-income earners to thwart the prominence of the reference, Hispanic. While to some Hispanic signifies a brutal oppressive force towering over them, it signifies nothing much among others.
Various geographical locations feature varying inclinations towards these terms, especially from a political perspective. For instance, the term Hispanic is readily acceptable among the southern states of New Mexico and Texas while Latino is commonly used by outsiders (Calderón, 1992). Despite the proximity to the above states, California does not share the same conditions. In fact, the difference between the uses of Hispanic and/or Latino identities is most pronounced politically. This is because where the two terms are competing for authenticity, a political motive is often the basis for the choice of identity. In most cases, individuals are competing for power and equality based on historical events, political analysis, and intra-community relations. Since the term Hispanic is coined upon the people by the government, Latino signifies political loyalties to ethnicity (Treviño, 1987). In response, the government has been trying to dismantle the traditional classification of citizens with a Spanish ancestry by grouping them into white, or other racial groups.
Despite the varying convictions among people of Spanish origin, the identity struggle is not without grounds. In the early 1900’s Spanish speakers inhabiting the lands to the south of the country were treated discriminatively and racially by the local American populations. ‘Greasers’ was a common reference term for this group in California (Hayes-Bautista, 1987). A negative view of the American people developed among these Latin Americans prompting them to fight for a place in their new society. A struggling spirit became part of their daily life such that even as conditions became favorable with legislation, they held the same sentiments against the local people and the government. The long strife is, therefore, a motivating factor for the identity issue. Many view the term Hispanic as equivalent to ‘greaser’ back in the day. The fact that racial concern is still featuring in the American society makes Latin Americans stay vigilant lest they find themselves in the same racial victimization (Hayes-Bautista, 1987).
As mentioned earlier, the term Hispanic represents assimilation and nationalistic efforts. Despite these measures, most of the Latin speakers such as Cubans and Puerto Ricans have expressed the desire to return to their home country. This means that they are not fully devoted to the assimilation efforts. Mexican-Americans feel the need to identify with their homeland and its cultural ways. This means that the term Hispanic has no significance to them and even though they may not align themselves with the Latinos, they share similar convictions (Hayes-Bautista, 1987). The Hispanic term is, therefore, an imposed identity that the people themselves do not feel obliged to uphold. It also follows that being opposed to reference as Hispanic does not mean one prefers Latino, rather it implies they do not share in the assimilation ideology. Those who identify as Latinos are more radical and politically oriented. This explains why many Cubans and Puerto Ricans despite being Latin Americans express neutral views towards Latinos and negligence towards assimilation (Hayes-Bautista, 1987). It can be said therefore that Hispanic reference symbolizes positivity towards assimilation while Latino signifies opposition towards the same.
The assumption of the identity term is dependent on individual interests. Associating with the term Latino is often viewed as acting in defiance of the government’s directive. People who own property and businesses in the US or those who intend to create a positive public image often prefer being referred to as Hispanic (Hayes-Bautista, 1987). This makes them appear patriotic and obedient to the rule of law. The rich and influential people are opposed to the acknowledgment of Latinos and often dissociate themselves from the fellow Spanish-speaking groups. Studies have shown a striking trend whereby personal interests shape much of an individual’s preference in the question of Latin-Americans’ identity (Alcoff, 2005). In defense of their interests, the section of the Latin-Americans opposed to Latino identity perceive themselves as Americans like ‘everyone else’. This guarantees them a share of the American pie thanks to their American spirit.
Group interests are the key motivators for those who seek identification as Latinos. They count on the group power to establish their ground in a racially hostile environment. Low-income earners are the majority in this category because they lack the means to navigate their way to prosperity (Alcoff, 2005). By seeking ethnic recognition, it is hoped that they will get the political milestones necessary to improve their lives. This has turned out successful at times whereby a Latino political movement has successfully effected critical changes that grant them recognition and a better chance at prosperity. One such moment is when the Coalition for Harmony overturned a resolution to make English the official language in 1987 (Alcoff, 2005). In a similar way, Latinos push for good living and working environments only through opposition means. The Latino identity is therefore motivated by the need to establish equality and political recognition and fairness.
Finally, the Latino identity is an indication of cultural resilience where the people want to identify as a culture with a unique language, beliefs and a way of life. It is a bold move to assert the position of people with a Spanish ancestry in a culturally diverse environment (Hayes-Bautista, 1987). Even though this is beneficial to the continuum of culture, it hurts the assimilation efforts which are critical to the unity and development of a country. The Hispanic identity, on the other hand, represents the national cohesion efforts. It makes clear the intention of sealing of any rift that jeopardizes the American spirit. There is much to the choice of an identity which brings out the true nature of society.
In conclusion, it is evident that the choice of identity for Latin Americans is dependent on many factors. These are; historical events, personal and/or group interest, political interests, geographical location, and income class. The government has put stringent measures to address the stereotypes that make cultural identities follow racial lines for the sake of national cohesion. Despite the difference that exists between the two identity terms, there is a need to have both of them bearing in mind their greater implication in the society. Hispanic reference signifies patriotism and cohesion while Latino reference signifies the people’s efforts to emancipate themselves and establish their place in the society. More attention should be paid to the reasoning behind the assumption of identity by either group. The government should look at the bigger implication of this divergent standpoint on such a sensitive matter in relation to national cohesion and prosperity.
References
- Calderón, J. (1992). Hispanic and latino: The viability of categories for panethnic unity. Sage Journals, 19(4), 37-44. https://doi. org/10. 1177/0094582X9201900404
- Treviño, F. M. (1987). Standardized terminology for standardized populations. American Journal of Public Health, 77, 69-72. Retrieved from https://ajph. aphapublications. org/doi/pdf/10. 2105/AJPH. 77. 1. 69
- United States Census Bureau. (2018). About hispanic origin. Retrieved from https://www. census. gov/topics/population/hispanic-origin/about. html
- Hayes-Bautista, D. E. , & Chapa, J. (1987). Latino terminology: Conceptual basis for standardized terminology. American Journal of Public Health, 77, 61-68. Retrieved from https://ajph. aphapublications. org/doi/pdf/10. 2105/AJPH. 77. 1. 61
- Alcoff, L. M. (2005). Latino vs. hispanic: The politics of ethnic names. Sage Journals, 31(4), 395-407. https://doi. org/10. 1177/0191453705052972
