Comments on: What is a Latino?

By: We All Count « SpanglishBaby

We All Count « SpanglishBaby — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:02:06 +0000

[...] these questions is the fact that it’s extremely difficult to have a definite answer as to what is a Latino. As we’ve said in the past, we come in all different races and [...]

By: Marcy

Marcy — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 18:22:50 +0000

My sister just recently wrote a series of blog posts about this, and the difficulties of not feeling “latina” enough partially because we don’t have dark skin or grow up poor (since that is what “Latin” seems to mean here in the US). Here are links in case anyone’s interested:

http://blog.crisswrites.com/2009/08/some-thoughts-on-race-ethnicity-and.html
http://blog.crisswrites.com/2009/08/some-thoughts-and-clarifications-on.html
http://blog.crisswrites.com/2009/09/some-thoughts-on-race-ethnicity-and.html

As for me? My “latin-esque” features– my dark hair and eyes– came from my American mother. It is my father– with his pale skin and blue eyes– who is Chilean. I hate spicy food, and never remember having any while growing up in Chile. I’ve gotten quizzical looks when I wear my “Everyone loves a latin girl” t-shirt. My husband takes Spanish lessons, and it is often very amusing to me to hear the differences in connotations of a single word across different “types” of Spanish (I recall my sister’s story of reading a book in Spanish, from Spain, and being appalled at how they mentioned that the girls “culo” hurt when she rode a bike… because to her, a culo was something only boys had…).

It’s tough to find a way to identify with being “Latin” when I do not fit into the stereotype in so many ways. But I still try to be proud of it. MY husband and I went to Chile a few years ago, his first time ever and my first time back since high school. I’m hoping we’ll get another chance to go again in the next few years and introduce our son to my Chilean family and culture.
.-= Marcy´s last blog ..six word sunday: An early appreciation for public transit. =-.

By: SISI

SISI — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:36:20 +0000

Wow I can’t believe you wrote on this topic today. I was actually gonna write you that if you were hard up for topics that you should write about who is considered a latina. The reason for this is that within our own community (even within our own bilingual mommy group there is confusion. Someone in our group made reference to if you were born in the us your not latina. I believe that aside from where you were born, wether you speak spanish or not wether you enjoy the foods and customs, if yo are decendant of latins… YOU ARE LATIN.

By: Melanie (Modern Mami)

Melanie (Modern Mami) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:03:43 +0000

It’s interesting that this seems to be a theme this week amongst many Latinos in the blogosphere. It was on my mind earlier this week too. Here’s my answer as posted on my blog a couple of days ago:
http://www.modernmami.com/puerto-rico/latina-culture-meaning

And it bothers me too that we’re all sometimes lumped into one group. The media does this too. Mostly when a Latino is portrayed they are either Mexican or Cuban. Which is fine, I guess…better than nothing.
.-= Melanie (Modern Mami)´s last blog ..Visually Defining This Space =-.

By: Eric

Eric — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:34:14 +0000

Great post! Sometimes people (on the outside) don’t understand what exactly it means to be Latino. A Latino can be Mexican, Colombiano, Puerto Rican, etc. A Latino must be aware of their own culture and be able to educate those around them.

By: Marcela Hede The Hispanic Culture Lover

Marcela Hede The Hispanic Culture Lover — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:26:36 +0000

I can't wait to see it! To be a Latino in America to me, is to not forget my Hispanic roots which include our romance language, foods, music, "costumbres" and the importance of family... take all that and enjoy it with the culture of this country, which is wonderful and rich in opportunities. I have an article on my site about Latino or Hispanic, technically "authors like Felipe and Betty Ann Korzenny say in their book: "Hispanic Marketing " that the term Latino "encompasses almost anyone from a culture with Latin roots. That could be Italians, Roumanians, Portuguese, French and so on."" .-= Marcela Hede The Hispanic Culture Lover´s last blog ..Latin Food Recipes =-.