What is the meaning of Latino for some one from the states?

nueva york bombero says on Jan 29, 2008, 06:27:

America is such a mix of everything, who's to say what the "typical" American should look like? Maybe this girl just relates to being American more than being Colombian or latina.
My family's background is European. Do I consider myself anything other than American? Nope! I respect and am fascinated with my European background, but in the end I am American.

juli says on Jan 29, 2008, 06:32:

You are born in the US than you are American or from the United States. Even if you spend a handful of years in your father's country as a young adult or child you are still an American.

You are most likely used to the fact that many parents or grandparents of Americans were immigrants and use the "heritage" of their parents and/or grandparents to categorize themselves. Ask a persone who's great grand parents immigrated from Ireland, where they are from and the answer is "I'm from Ireland" or "I'm Irish".

Sooo common in the US. Your friend got it right - she's an American. Did she speak fluent english?

When you ask someone where they are from you are usually asking about their herritage, not their race.

Q: "Where are you from?"
A: "Caucasian"

Sounds silly

Racial Classifications are diverse and therefore this will turn into a big mud sling by lunch since this is the usual "no one can decide on the definition" of Race Clasification.

CEO Fajardo´s Fan Club, Medellín, Colombia

nueva york bombero says on Jan 29, 2008, 06:40:

I agree, but in fact my great grandparents are from Ireland (I feel like you know me....
kidding) and I don't say I'm from Ireland.
I do get your point though.

juli says on Jan 29, 2008, 06:43:

There are many Irish Bartenders in NYC. They have been in the country for 3 years, working illegally. They say they're from Ireland - and YES they are!

CEO Fajardo´s Fan Club, Medellín, Colombia

nueva york bombero says on Jan 29, 2008, 06:46:

You're talking about some of my friends!!!!!!

jack_jason says on Jan 29, 2008, 07:14:

Q: Are you a Blackman?
A: I am not a blackman, I am American.

or

Q: Are you Latino
A: I am not latina, I am American.


The above is what I mean.

This is just spanglish, please do not correct me

MitchAlvarez says on Jan 29, 2008, 07:24:

Juli im sorry linda. Im actually American and Colombian.

I have cedula, tarjeta de identidad, passaporte, birth certificate, us passport, whatever you want. lol

I was born in NYC, raised in Medellin/Cali then came back. But no Im not just American.


Latino to me is any individual that was born in a latin american country, has parents born in latin america, or raised in a latin american country where he/she has adopted that culture. Now if he/she chooses to say they are latino, hispanic, chicano, la raza, black, white, yellow, green i dont give a F. they can pick all they want.

and just for the record..... Jessica Alba is not latina. Cristina Aguilera is not latina. Mariah Carey is not Latina. They are fake you know what.

juli says on Jan 29, 2008, 07:31:

Jack, If that is what you meant I'm sorry. It's just that you wrote:

"When I asked her where is she from, her answer was…..I am American"

You asked here where she was from - not if she or her ancestors were of Latino or Hispanic origin. I'm suprised she didn't say "Brooklyn"

CEO Fajardo´s Fan Club, Medellín, Colombia

juli says on Jan 29, 2008, 07:35:

Mitch I was born in Colombia, moved to the US when I was 6 and moved back to Colombia when I was 16. I can't really say that I'm American although I have US passport and everything else.

You're just a Colombian America with strong nationalistic fiber - like all Colombian Americans.

CEO Fajardo´s Fan Club, Medellín, Colombia

MitchAlvarez says on Jan 29, 2008, 07:38:

Juli,

If you feel that your not american then your not.

But thanks for defining me.

MaFe says on Jan 29, 2008, 07:56:

I was born in Colombia and I consider myself a Latina, I was brought here when I was little, raised in America...
My siblings were born in this country to a Colombian mother, they are American but they tell everyone they are Latino and American.

If I have a child in Japan to a non-Japanese is that child Japanese? He wont have Japanese blood running through his veins?

I have a friend who is Peruvian/Mexican...very, very indigenous looking, she speaks Spanish badly but always tells people that she was born in American to a Peruvian dad and Mexican mother and she is American, Peruvian, Mexican...
I supposed everyone's interpretation of things are the way they want it; so I am learning to let people think what they want when it comes to race, or else it will be an endless argument..

I just asked my coworker who is Salvadorian, born here...she answered that she is a American Latina.

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. "-Aristotle

MitchAlvarez says on Jan 29, 2008, 08:12:

MaFe let us see a picture. :( Ill tell you what you look like lol

CatGirl says on Jan 29, 2008, 08:17:

JJ: In CA - Mexicans usually joke that LA is the 2nd capital of Mexico.
Of the Latinos/as I know in CA- Puerto Rican, Nicarag, Guatem, Porteg, It's a mixed bag in northern CA. They mostly consider themselves Latin or Latin American ... again a mixed bag

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

Gator says on Jan 29, 2008, 08:49:

Colombican, Americolo, Colombamerí, Cologringa, Gringbian
Mrs Gator just says I am Colombia and also a US Citizen-than seems to handle what is a non-problem

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

Mononoke28 says on Jan 29, 2008, 08:52:

I think this girl from Popayán is just silly, not proud to be a latina and denying it 100% even though she's a colombiche. Puh-lease. Be proud of who you are and don't be hiding it because you were born in the States and can now speak English.

I consider a Latino anybody who was born in Latin America and whose parents are from Latin America even if they were born in the States, Canada or Africa. So someone who has Japanese facial features is not Japanese just because that person was born in the States.

Give me a break.

Diana

jack_jason says on Jan 29, 2008, 08:56:

I have 3 nationalities but I am still a Colombian. a Colombian ZAMBO. Or Colombian Iguazo. I am not Colombo-British or Colombo-Italian. I am Colombian. But my race is ZAMBO (Negro Indio).

This is just spanglish, please do not correct me

Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 29, 2008, 08:57:

I think it's a question of how the person sees him/herself; meaning cultural identity. If the Payanesa born in USA does not speak Spanish, feel part of her Colombian (Latino) cultural heritage then she is doing the right thing as identifying herself as "American". Strictly speaking, that's what she is; latina second generation gringa, Americana whichever way.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

MitchAlvarez says on Jan 29, 2008, 09:13:

you know what we call colombians who arent proud of where they are from and just shit on their land?

we call them Piedad cordobas

El Polo says on Jan 29, 2008, 09:34:

I will be honest, in NYC alot of colombians usually from Cali, Medellin, Bogota etc tell me I dont look Colombian, I laugh cause I feel it is a total disregard of northern colombianos, as if all colombians are supposed to be light skinned and andean looking, but that is neither here nor there. Yes I was born in USA, I live here and work here and have been given the opportunity to study here in the US. Personally for me to deny that I have any "american" influences would be foolish on my behalf. When ever I am asked where I am from I tell them I am American & Colombian. I embrace both countries equally. Now I find it equally unacceptable that girl who parents are from Popayan does not speak spanish, how does she communicate with her parents? does she not stuff her face with arepas when eating at her parents? For her to deny the fact that she is also Colombian, is similar to denying her parents in my opinion. With that said, wheter or not I embrace both cultures, I can not hide the fact that I am colombian, even if I show my american or colombian passport. NO WAY!!!

P.S my profile does say I was born in Colombia, but for this exact reason, apparently im not colombian enough for some.

MaFe says on Jan 29, 2008, 09:53:

I have a problem when I run into Latinos that have parents who don't speak a word of English, and they REFUSE to speak Spanish...BUT I always tell them, you can't deny who you are, you look it, it's in your blood, and end of conversation...no one can take your ancestry from you, your race...

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. "-Aristotle

nueva york bombero says on Jan 29, 2008, 09:58:

People have identity issues everywhere on earth.
It's the same as someone denying the fact they're an asshole!
If you are, just accept it!!!!
(just trying to keep it light)

morphus says on Jan 29, 2008, 10:06:

I'm Germanic, Slavic and Mediterranean.That makes me a human mongrel...LOL

CatGirl says on Jan 29, 2008, 10:08:

jaja..Morph

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 29, 2008, 10:13:

The thing is that we cannot force identity on anybody, it's a process that starts from the moment of birth. It doesn't really matter how despicable we think a person who "denies his/her cultural/etnical origin" is; it's a subjective experience and there are no rights and no wrongs, only gradients of acculturization and adaptation. Who are we to pass a judgement on anybody else, their pride and their cultural identity? I don't have problem with anybody. You can be black, brown, olive-skinned, pink or purple, called Achmed or Martinez or John Stark, you still have right to your name and your cultural identity without anybody having to question it.

(Just keeping it serious enough to make a point)

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

nueva york bombero says on Jan 29, 2008, 10:14:

You mongrel motorboatin son of a bitch!!

CatGirl says on Jan 29, 2008, 10:16:

Des: jaja...I like how you slipped in JS's name. ..But I agree. It is personal and very subjective. Sometimes it causes people to walk on egg shells...worried to offend. jeje

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

MitchAlvarez says on Jan 29, 2008, 12:04:

oh one more thing........whether your american or not if you live in the usa you should learn english.

Man Tequila says on Jan 29, 2008, 13:50:

I was surprised to read only 55% of "second generation" Latino-Americans spoke Spanish, when all of their immigrant parents did. Can this be true?

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

El Polo says on Jan 29, 2008, 14:22:

Oh and one more thing, apperently my uncles from my mother side of the family don't see the irony in calling me an HP!!!! jajajajajaj

ciao (they're just joking with me)