1. The Beginning
An introduction to terminology used to better understand material for Chicano/Latino Studies

2. Basic Terms (1)
Race: refers to the concept of dividing people into populations or groups on the basis of various sets of (supposed) physical characteristics (which usually results from genetic ancestry).
Examples: skin color, facial features, hair, eye color.

3. Basic Terms (2)…
Ethnicity: a population group whose members identify with each other on the basis of common nationality or shared cultural traditions.
Examples: nationality, regional culture, ancestry, language.

4. Basic Terms (3)…
Nationality: the status of belonging to a particular nation, whether by birth or naturalization.
Culture: the beliefs, attitudes, values, goals and material traits of racial, religious, or social groups in everyday existence.
Examples: Pop culture or Southern Culture

5. Basic Terms (4)
Pluralism – where people of all ethnicities and races remain distinct but have social equality.
Most nations strive for pluralism, but many lack true pluralism.

6. Defining Spanish-Speakers
It is important to chose your words well when talking about particular groups of people to make sure you are using politically correct terms, and to show sensitivity for other cultures!

7. HISPANIC
The term Hispanic is used to describe people who were born (or who can trace the backgrounds of their families) to one of the Spanish-speaking Latin American nations or to Spain. Hispanics may also come from Caribbean countries, such as Puerto Rico and Cuba.
The term Hispanic can also be used to describe a person who is a native speaker of Spanish, Although NOT all Hispanics speak Spanish!

8. The Term “Hispanic” does not denote a race most are racially mixed
come from diverse backgrounds, such as:
African, Native Indian
and European

10. LATINO (A)
The term Latino is often used in the United States interchangeably with the term Hispanic.
It is also used to describe people who were born (or who can trace the backgrounds of their families) to one of the Spanish-speaking Latin American nations or the Caribbean.
IT IS USUALLY NOT USED TO DESCRIBE SOMEBODY FROM SPAIN.
The term Latino can also be used to describe a person who is a native speaker of Spanish, Although NOT all Latinos speak Spanish!

11. “Hispanic” vs. “Latino(a)”
Native Spanish speaker
Neither term denotes a race
Hispanic- can be from a Spanish-speaking country in Latin America or from Spain
Latino(a)- can be from a Spanish-speaking country in Latin America (but not from Spain).

12. Ethnic appearance of Hispanics or Latinos
Because of colonization and immigration, people of Latin America are of all races.
Hispanics coming
from each of these
heritages have
different skin color, immigration history
and socioeconomic
status.

13. Spanish Spanish is a language.
It is ONLY used to describe a person if they are from SPAIN.

14. Chicano Someone who is from Mexico or of Mexican descent.
Self-described Chicanos view the term as a positive self-identifying social construction.
Outside of Mexican-American communities the term can be considered offensive.

15. Cuban Americans, Mexican Americans, etc.
Some Hispanics do not like the term Hispanic. Some prefer to be called by their country of origin along with the word American, such as Cuban American.
Hispanic immigrants to the US can come from Mexico, Central America, Cuba, Puerto Rico and South America.
If you’re not sure what to call somebody when referring to them, just ASK what they prefer!

16. Americans
Remember that just because some people are from Spanish-speaking families or from Spanish-speaking countries, they may still be Americans and refer to themselves that way!

18. Practice: In your notebooks, define the following Terms:
Race
Ethnicity
Nationality
Culture
Hispanic
Latino (a)
Spanish
Cuban-American
Mexican-American
American
Spanish-speaking

19. Sources
All images found with credited photographer are cited… all other unlabeled images assumed Fair Use for educational purposes. Some images may be subject to Copyright.

20. Slideshow by: Amy Yeager
Adapted from - H. Kabat
Valley Springs School
Asheville, NC 2011