What does hispanic or latino mean

A person who is Latino may also be Hispanic, or not. For instance, while people from Brazil are considered Latino because Brazil is a Latin American country , they are not considered Hispanic because Brazil is a former Portuguese colony, not a Spanish one. There are also differences in usage of the terms Hispanic and Latino by geographical region.

While urban areas and those on the coasts tend to prefer Latino, rural areas in places like Texas and New Mexico are more likely to use the term Hispanic. However, there are exceptions to this tendency. For example, the word Hispanic is generally preferred and more widely used in Florida.

While the terms Hispanic and Latino have existed for centuries, it wasn't until they were introduced into the United States Census that they became more popularized. The census is used by the government to study aspects of the population.

During the s, there was a common theme of poverty and discrimination among Mexican Americans in the southwest and Puerto Ricans on the east coast of the United States. While the government initially saw these as regional issues, the joining of the Latino communities across the nation to address these issues led to a new perspective and a new method of categorization. Respondents could also identify their race e. The term Latino first appeared on the census as an option for ethnicity.

Later, these terms were also introduced to forms of identification such as driver's licenses, birth certificates, and school registration forms. In this way, the use of these labels serves the purpose of allowing the government to accurately categorize the changing population and to identify trends by shared cultures. Popular culture and the media have helped to connect the Hispanic and Latino communities and further popularize these groupings based on their shared experiences.

Spanish-language media such as commercials, television shows, magazines, websites, news stations, and social media accounts reflect this understanding. In general, the media appears to prefer the term Latino, likely because Hispanic tends to refer only to language, while Latino is broader and refers to people, music, and culture, etc. Moreover, it's possible that in the media, the term Latino feels more inclusive. However, statistics suggest that many people still prefer to use Latino.

According to Pew Research Center, two-thirds of Hispanic people feel that their Hispanic background is part of their racial background. This suggests that those who identify as Hispanic or Latino have a different conceptualization of race or ethnicity than others. Further, within the Hispanic or Latino community, there are also differences in how people self-identify.

This helps to distinguish themselves from those who share their race but have different cultural backgrounds. How do you know when to use which term? While it's true that the terms Hispanic and Latino can engender a sense of community and common history for those who self-identify, imposing one of these labels on another person is unhelpful.

Instead, it's best to respect whatever label a person gives themselves or to avoid labels altogether if that is their preference. Once a year, America acknowledges the egregious pay gap in which Latinas earn just 67 cents for every dollar a non-Latinx white man makes. Journalism has an inclusion problem. In local and national newsrooms across the U. The American Society of News Editors Newsroom Employment Diversity surveys show that the tally of women journalists of color has barely budged since The root of the problem is twofold: Newsrooms are less likely to hire Latinas, especially for leadership positions, while many in the workforce quit the industry due to salary disparities and minimal opportunities for career advancement.

Alicia Menendez has witnessed these losses up close. Her experience mentoring emerging Latina journalists as well as interviewing women about their professional struggles and triumphs on her podcast Latina to Latina has led to her intimate understanding of the barriers, inequities, and microaggressions that push talented women out of newsrooms.

In many ways, it is precisely these stories that propel her to stay in the industry. For Menendez, inclusive and nuanced news coverage requires diverse newsrooms. To sustain herself in the industry, she has developed creative methods that she imparts with other women of color in journalism. From breaking free of the likeability trap to creating her own media, Menendez shares her story and offers advice for Latinas passionate but disillusioned by the work. Click here to read the full article on Yahoo!

By Elana Fishman , Page Six. In , Becky G made history by becoming the youngest-ever CoverGirl spokesperson at the age of Click here to read the full article on Page Six. Reggaeton superstar Becky G, who headlined the Houston Rodeo in , flew in from Los Angeles to give the keynote address. A couple hundred people, mostly millennial Latinas, came out to the Madera Estates in Conroe for the event, mingling in the courtyard outside the main hall to trade business cards, sip cocktails and sample food from a variety of eateries.

Local vendors were also on hand selling clothes and artisanal Latin goods. Guidry started Spoiled Latina to empower women and encourage them to put themselves and their needs first, she said. After an initial networking hour, the audience listened to three panels touching on brand-building, content creation and goal-setting.

Click here to read the full article on Houston Chronicle. They call it Latinas On The Go. From raising money for charities to fixing up houses for people in need to motivating one another through networking events, these are some of the missions for the women of Latinas On The Go.

Terreforte soon realized there were plenty of other young, career-oriented, Latina women, like herself, looking for a group to call home. This month, Latinas On The Go are recognizing women in the community who have overcome tremendous challenges, like Mariela Ayala.

Due to an undiagnosed genetic disorder, Ayala was never able to get her weight under control, pushing nearly pounds. So far she has lost pounds and counting. Ruiz has been inspired to give back ever since her own life-changing event in March when Tampa Police Officer Jesse Madsen was killed in the line of duty when he stopped a wrong-way driver from hitting her head-on.

Nuria Ortiz, a Southern California artist of Mexican descent, is internationally recognized for her large and colorful spray paint murals.

With her Latin heart, Ms. It is, in fact, a shortened form of the Spanish phrase latinoamericano — Latin American, in English. Read more at ThoughtCo. After being By Jessica Testa—Sept.

Beneath that was a portrait of Lil Nas X and, just below it, an Instead, it is setting them back. The median net worth of households with Black college graduates in their 30s has plunged over the past three decades In times of uncertainty, good decisions demand good data. Please support our research with a financial contribution.

It organizes the public into nine distinct groups, based on an analysis of their attitudes and values. Even in a polarized era, the survey reveals deep divisions in both partisan coalitions. Pew Research Center now uses as the last birth year for Millennials in our work. President Michael Dimock explains why. The vast majority of U. Use this tool to compare the groups on some key topics and their demographics. About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world.

It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. Newsletters Donate My Account. Research Topics. Share this link:. Jeffrey S. Passel is a senior demographer at Pew Research Center. Facts are more important than ever. Most Americans say the declining share of White people in the U. Federal officials may revamp how Americans identify race, ethnicity on census and other forms.

Seeking better data on Hispanics, Census Bureau may change how it asks about race. Are you a Faith and Flag Conservative?