Hispanic, Latino or Latin American?

Depending on how the word “Hispanic” is interpreted, it is either improperly used or artificial.  Let me explain.

The ancient Latin name for Spain is Hispania.  Technically and historically speaking something Hispanic or someone Hispanic comes from Hispania, meaning from Spain and not from Central or South America.  It may be argued therefore that the term Hispanic is improperly used to describe someone who does not hail from Spain.  Hispanic American would be a more accurate description for those from a Central or South American country colonized by Spain (this excludes Brazil and some other nations).

The term Hispanic used to describe Latin Americans may be considered artificial because the US Census began using it in 1970 to describe people hailing from Central America, South America, the Caribbean and Spain.  This led to even more confusion when Hispanic was denoted as a race (this has ceased today in the census, but many still think of it as a race).  When the term Hispanic is used, it cannot be used to describe race because Latin Americans are of many races.  I do not know how many times I’ve been told, “You don’t look Hispanic.”  This statement is absurd.  There is no Hispanic or Latin American look; we are a mix of races.  There are blacks, indians, whites, mestizos and zambos and we all identify as Latin American despite racial differences.  We are united by culture, language and history, not by race.

In the United States folks proudly identify themselves as Italian-American, Irish-American, Polish-American etc.  This mentality is nonexistent in Latin America.  Even though my background is European, ever since childhood I was raised with a strong identity as Peruvian, recognizing the Incas as my ancestors (though I hardly have any indigenous blood).  I am as Peruvian as a native man who is full blooded Inca and as Peruvian as someone of mixed race.

Oftentimes in common parlance in the United States, Latin Americans are referred to as “Spanish.”  I did an experiment once.  I referred to people born in the United States as English.  When I was corrected I said, “but you must be English because you speak English.”  They got it.  I speak Spanish, but I am not Spanish.  I speak Spanish but the food I eat is Peruvian, not Spanish food or Hispanic food.   The Mass at my parish is Mass in Spanish, not Spanish Mass or Hispanic Mass.  The congregation is not the “Spanish people.” We are certainly Spanish speaking, but we are not Spanish (unless someone from Madrid or Segovia is present, he or she would be Spanish). Everything is in the wording.

I sometimes wonder if Hispanic Ministry in the church in the United States is a misnomer and it should be changed to Latin American Ministry as it is called in the church in Europe.  For two years while in seminary in Rome I worked at two Latin American Parishes in the Latin American Mission of Rome (not Hispanic parishes or the Hispanic Ministry of Rome).  Personally, I prefer to be identified as Latin American rather than Hispanic though I have no aversion to the term Hispanic.  I do use it all the time.

My rant is now over.  I hope you found it thought provoking.  Especially if you’re Latin American, I’d love to hear your comments.

I am happy we have a Latin American Pope!