[hscott]

hispanic latino or non-hispanic latino??

I ended up having to take our dd to the hospital (long story) and when we were checking her in they asked if I wanted her ethnicity to be listed as hispanic latino or non-hispanic latino.

I hesitated and kind of laughed and said I'm sorry, I guess I'm not sure.....I do know she's Guatemalan. I'm sure the guy thought I was an idiot. I think we ended up going with hispanic latino.

I just searched online and looked up a few things and I still don't know what I should have said.


So what should I have said?

Heather

[SKL]

I don't know the technical answer, but I would have said "she's from Guatemala, put down whatever you want." Or if I was feeling especially feisty, I'd demand to know what the relevance of that question was. Nobody has ever required me to state whether I was Western or Eastern European.

[amyfk]

I dont understand the terminology myself.
Amy K, NJ

[dhoneybunny]

Originally Posted by SKL

Or if I was feeling especially feisty, I'd demand to know what the relevance of that question was. Nobody has ever required me to state whether I was Western or Eastern European.

I would have just asked why it mattered and opted for "No answer". Honestly, if it's not medically relevant, it shouldn't need to be answered.

[DPline]

After a little research I believe the difference generally speaking, and someone please correct me if I am wrong, is hispanic latino would be someone who comes from a spanish speaking country in Latin America while non-hispanic latino would be someone from a non-spanish speaking country in Latin America.

Of the hits I got, the fifth paragraph in this article Latinos or Hispanics? I thought explained it well. Assuming they are correct!

There was also this from Wikipedia Hispanic and Latino Americans - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The terms Hispanic and Latino are held to be mutually distinct by some authorities of American English, as seen in the following quotation:

"Though often used interchangeably in American English, Hispanic and Latino are not identical terms, and in certain contexts the choice between them can be significant. Hispanic, from the Latin word for "Spain," has the broader reference, potentially encompassing all Spanish-speaking peoples in both hemispheres and emphasizing the common denominator of language among communities that sometimes have little else in common. Latino—which in Spanish means "Latin" but which as an English word is probably a shortening of the Spanish word latinoamericano—refers more exclusively to persons or communities of Latin American origin. Of the two, only Hispanic can be used in referring to Spain and its history and culture; a native of Spain residing in the United States is a Hispanic, not a Latino, and one cannot substitute Latino in the phrase the Hispanic influence on native Mexican cultures without garbling the meaning. In practice, however, this distinction is of little significance when referring to residents of the United States, most of whom are of Latin American origin and can theoretically be called by either word."[25]

Neither term refers to race, as a person of Latino or Hispanic descent can be of any race

In my experience this is a common question (racial background) in doctors offices, hospitals, etc. but you can refuse to answer as it is purely for their demographic information.

There has been much discussion about these and other terms in the past so I will see if I can hunt them up later.


Edited to add: Here is one thread I found Someone PLEASE explain the "hispanic" separation on forms to me

[Mommy K]

Hispanic refers to folks who come from a country formerly ruled by Spain. (geography)
Latino/Latina refers to a person who is from a spanish speaking country regardless of race.(language).

Every country that has Spanish as the main language spoken-has Spanish influences and was ruled by Spain at one point-Phillapean(sp) lslands and Guam too-so I really don't know.

So the question is Geography/Language group.


hth.

[dac_cincy]

It sounds like they gave you the wrong choices.

Per the Federal goverment - there are 2 choices for this catagory:

Hispanci/latino
or NON Hispanci/NON Latino

So it sounds like they left out the second NON when asking your the question.


As stated in multiple threads on this topic- you have the right to refuse to identify or you can make the choice for your child. There is no right or wrong answer as this is a "self reported" piece of demographic information.

BUT never give a person the right to choose for you or your child. These catagories can stay with you or your child for a very long time- so either refuse to report or provide a catagory.

Love to you,
Deb

[Betelnut]

I would also think that if your child is mostly indigenous Guatemalan (of Mayan or mostly Mayan origin), he or she is "non-hispanic" Latino/a.

[hscott]

This is funny.........you guys all have different answers!
Thanks for the replies and the links though!
Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one that doesn't really know! =)

Heather

[cborsa7]

As a Hispanic -American - Latina this is always an interesting topic. I found this article interesting and I think it hits on how "some" not all view the differences and why. I always check the Hispanic box....

Race Matters - It's not always "a Hispanic Thing"

[dac_cincy]

"Maya" or "mayan' is a category under race (American Indian/native American) per the federal guidelines. Hispanic pr non hispanic is an ehtnicity category.

Your child can most definitely be both Mayan and Hispanic.

In fact you or your child can be multiple races and one ethinicity under the federal guideles.

the bottom line issue is that the many organizations- hospitals/doctor offices/schools have not moved to the federal guidelines and therefore they try to force you into one race and one ethinicty based on looks.

In my case- ther eis only one race and ethinicity I can choose, but my sone ahs as many as 4 races and one tethnicity under the federal guidelines and I will be choosing every one of the race categories for him every chance I get.

[Slatond10]

Thanks for asking the question .. I had planned to pose a similar version of this today as well!

DD is taking swim classes and I have been ask so many times this week different versions of her race that I was getting very confused.

An incredibly beautiful latin woman approached and ask if DD was Latin... She and her children look like they could be related to my DD. Although I'd never had anyone ask specifically if she was latin b4. So I did respond "yes, she is from Guatemala."--- Due to another thread on this form, I had thought the proper term was "ladino" for non-mayans in Guatemala. So was hoping I hadn't mis-spoke.

Then several had ask if she was mexican to which I responded, "She is hispanic and born in Guatemala" to the ones I answered and DD had responded the same when she was ask directly. I want to make sure I am a good role model in how I respond so DD says the right things when she is ask.


Love all the links and have printed to read in more details.

[cborsa7]

Then several had ask if she was mexican to which I responded, "She is hispanic and born in Guatemala" to the ones I answered and DD had responded the same when she was ask directly. I want to make sure I am a good role model in how I respond so DD says the right things when she is ask.

I think that was an appropriate answer and easily understood for your daughter as well. I agree with the article I posted when the author say's "If you come from a nation that speaks Spanish, you're probably Hispanic. Easy enough."

Interesting topic Indeed!

[guatparents2be]

Originally Posted by cborsa7

As a Hispanic -American - Latina this is always an interesting topic. I found this article interesting and I think it hits on how "some" not all view the differences and why. I always check the Hispanic box....

LOVE it!!!!!!!!!

[SmileLaughLearn]

Originally Posted by dac_cincy

It sounds like they gave you the wrong choices.

Per the Federal goverment - there are 2 choices for this catagory:

Hispanci/latino
or NON Hispanci/NON Latino

So it sounds like they left out the second NON when asking your the question.

I agree with Deb. When I first read your post I was confused, and it brought to mind the differences between "Hispanic" and "Latino". But then I realized that the form would have had multiple choices for race, but only 2 choices for ethnicity: either your child IS Hispanic/Latino or IS NOT Hispanic/Latino... so he said "Hispanic/Latino or non-Hispanic/Latino?" He wasn't looking for a differentiation between Hispanic and Latino, just wanted to know which of the two boxes to check.

And I also agree with Deb on this part:
"Maya" or "mayan' is a category under race (American Indian/native American) per the federal guidelines. Hispanic pr non hispanic is an ehtnicity category.

Your child can most definitely be both Mayan and Hispanic.

In fact you or your child can be multiple races and one ethinicity under the federal guideles.

Race and ethnicity are two separate questions... and they're not always easy to answer!