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"Hispanic" or "Latino"? Which term is more appropriate, and why? Aetna's chief diversity officer, Raymond Arroyo, shed light on how the terms came into use and the differences between them in his article What's in a Name: Is It 'Hispanic' or 'Latino'? DiversityInc readers had strong opinions about the subject. Here are their unedited responses:

I'm from the English speaking Caribbean and share more in common (except language) with people from say Cuba & Dominican Republic. To grab individuals based on language and lump them all together is silly. The word Hispanic probably came out of the seperatist and racist 60s. How can you lump people together racially based on language; that in itself is nonsense. If that's the case then I'd be British. People from Mexico & say Cuba are as similar as myself and someone from New Zealand or Australia; we all speak the same language but culturally and historically we are different. Even the racial makeup of "latinos" or "hispanics" is so different that to lump everyone together is just plain dumb to me. The history of every island (no matter the language) is the same the history of South America is different case closed. The peoples of South America are more often indigenous and as for the Caribbean; an enormous mix of European, Indiginous, African & Asian ancestry. These "words" are just the result of some simple minded persons that couldn't wrap their minds around the fact that all different sorts were speaking another language besides English - the so called standard. And the fact that not everyone falls into a specific visual racial catagory.

--Joy Holloway

While it might be a small matter to many, the two articles I have just read regarding the use of black/African American and Latino/Hispanic are of tremendous value to me.

In striving to always value people by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin it is important to show respect by referring to and thinking of individuals as they choose to be known.

--Mark Russell

I have to say, I'm quite dissappointed at your explanation of what is in a Hispanic/Latino name. First off, Latino and Hispanic SHOULD NOT be interchanged! A Latino is a person that comes from Latin America, whether they speak Spanish or not. Hispanic is a person that comes from a Spanish-speaking country, Spain included. As far as your explanation of a person from Mexico being a Mexican in his/her country and either Latino or Hispanic in the US, that goes for all, not just Mexicans. And even then, most immigrants don't call themselves Hispanics or Latinos, that's a name given to us, we rather use our nationality to make it simpler and faster. The word Chicano is in the same predicament as Niuyorican and Dominican York. These were words created for the new Hispanic generations born in the states, whether they were born in New York or Chicago or elsewhere.

--Lucimar Flores

My father, a first generation American of Mexican descent, usually vibrates with anger when this subject comes up.  He always says, "I'm not a Chicano!  I'm not Hispanic!  I'm American!"

--Lisa Rukstales

I thought the article did an excellent job of synthesizing the historical originations and usage of the terms for folks who come from Mexico, Latin America, South America and Spain.  

--Elisa Arevalo

I think you guys failed to explain where "Latino" and "Hispanic" come from and therefore allow people to make their own associations. Also, i believe it is important noticing that both terms are extremely flawed.

Latino, as you know, comes from "latin" and by definition would include not only Brazilians but everybody else that has heritage rooted in the "Latin" language (Italians, French, etc...besides Spanish and Portuguese). Hispanics, on the other hand, refers to Hispania, which is the way Romans called what ended up becoming Spain. In that sense, it would ignore all the other influences from Native cultures and Africa.

Bottom line, the conclusion is correct but i believe a little bit more of History would make people understand things instead of just repeating things...

--Gustavo De Mello

I found it surprising that in your broad reference to South America as a source of Hispanic / Latino people you neglected to touch on the chief, NON-Spanish speaking county in that region, Brazil.  It is my understanding that while referring to Brazilians as "Hispanic" is just plain inaccurate due to their Portuguese heritage, it is still acceptable or appropriate to consider them Latino due to some common heritage elements with the rest of the continent.  (Recognizing of course that this distinction is primarily relevant to U.S Diversity measurement because Brazilians would probably MOST prefer being referred to as Brazilians!

It may be a minor point to some, but I was hoping to see some clarification when I saw the title of your article.  Perhaps in a future thread?

--Tom Lally  

The article doesn't describe the racial diversity in the Latino culture.  I know many white, black, asian, native american, middle-eastern "Latino" people.

--Timothy Hummel

Latino/a is the term for somebody with roots in Latin America, not just Spanish-speaking countries.  My definition of Latin America is every country/territory in the Americas where a romantic language (i.e. Spanish, French, Portuguese) is the primary language spoken.  This definition add a little more distinction between Hispanic and Latino/a. 

--Juan Ulloa

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