Am I Latino or Hispanic?….. What's the difference?…… We'll tell you.
This may be a question you've already asked yourself. The answer has to do with the language you speak and the place where you were born, or the country where your roots come from—and with which you identify.
September and October bring with them a unique opportunity to celebrate our culture, whether you are Hispanic or Latino. These months in the United States, the Hispanic Heritage Month. Also known as Hispanic Heritage Month, it is a reminder of our roots, and also of the differences and nuances that make us unique.
These are terms that, although they seem interchangeable, contain different histories, cultures and geographies.
Let's review the differences between Hispanic and Latino so we can find our similarities.
Difference between Hispanic and Latino
So what does it mean to be Latino and what does it mean to be Hispanic?
It's not the same. Understanding the differences is key to understanding our identity and being clear about what we culturally identify with.
Hispanic
The term "Hispanic" refers to people with roots in Spanish-speaking countries, that is, all those in which Spanish—or Castilian—is the official language of communication.
A curious data: There are only two Spanish-speaking countries that are not in Latin America: Spain, the only country in Europe whose official language is Spanish. The other is Equatorial Guinea, the the only African country where Spanish is the official language
There are 21 Spanish-speaking countries in the world. 19 in Latin America, 1 in Europe and 1 in Africa.
| Argentina | Honduras |
| Bolivia | Mexico |
| Chile | Nicaragua |
| Colombia | Panama |
| Costa Rica | Paraguay |
| Cuba | Peru |
| Dominican Republic | Uruguay |
| Ecuador | Venezuela |
| El Salvador | Spain (Europe) |
| Guatemala | Equatorial Guinea (Africa) |
| Puerto Rico (US territory) |
And the Latinos?
“Latino” encompasses people from the 20 countries that make up Latin America, regardless of the language they speak.
For example, a Brazilian woman doesn't speak Spanish—she speaks Portuguese, but she's Latina. Meanwhile, a man born in Spain is Hispanic because he speaks the language—Spanish—but he's not Latino because he's not originally from Latin America.
What about Latinx?
Recently, the term Latino has become popular in the United States to refer to people in an inclusive way without making any distinction based on gender. Its use can be seen more commonly on social media.
In North Carolina, where the Hispanic and Latino population has grown impressively, there are organizations, such as LatinxEd, who have adopted the term at an institutional level.
Hispanic Heritage Month in North Carolina
>>> Hispanic Heritage Festival Returns to Shakori Hills
Intersections between Hispanics and Latinos
So, can you be Hispanic and Latino at the same time? Yes, but it is important to know the differences.
For example, a Mexican is Latino because of his place of birth, and also because the official language of Mexico is Spanish. He can also be considered Hispanic.
A person from Brazil is Latino because he was born in Latin America, but he cannot be considered Hispanic because his language is not Spanish, but Portuguese.
Some examples:
Sonia Sotomayor.- The first Hispanic female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. She is the daughter of Puerto Rican parents—that is, she is Hispanic.
Sofia Vergara.- Actress and model famous for her role in the series Modern Family, was born in Barranquilla, Colombia; Latina.
Franklin Ramon Chang-Days.- NASA's first Hispanic astronaut. Born in Costa Rica, he has made multiple space flights. He is a pioneer in promoting scientific education among the Latino community. Hispanic and Latino.
Camila Cabello.- Cuban-born singer, a cultural icon among young Latinos in the U.S. Being born in Cuba, she is Latina
But then... can you be Latino or Hispanic if you were born in the United States? The answer is yes.
If someone has roots in Latin America or a Spanish-speaking country, and identifies with those roots, then they can be considered Latino or Hispanic due to their cultural and family heritage, regardless of whether they were born in the USA and are second or third generation. It has to do with the way each person identifies themselves.
Self-identification: Hispanic or Latino?
Which do you prefer? Some people choose "Hispanic" because it reflects our language and our shared history with Spain.
Others of us prefer “Latino,” which encompasses our homelands, from Mexico to Argentina.
The term you choose to identify yourself may depend on your own story, how you grew up, or what resonates most in your heart.
Hispanic Heritage Month in North Carolina and rest of the US
During the months of September and October, we celebrate diversity. Across North Carolina, from Raleigh to Charlotte, communities come together to remember, honor and celebrate our roots.
Events like parades, concerts, and cultural fairs highlight the impact Latinos and Hispanics have had in the United States. This is our moment to show the world what it means to be "Hispanic" or "Latino," beyond our differences; we are a community full of life and color.
At the heart of Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate not just our differences, but our similarities. Because at the end of the day, we are more than labels and terms. We are a community of individuals with stories, traditions, and dreams that enrich not only North Carolina, but the entire United States.
PODCAST
After the storm
A year ago, Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina. The Latino community responded with something stronger than the storm: solidarity.
🎧 In this episode, learn how Latino organizations transformed crisis into resilience.
▶️Press play to listen!
Republish our stories for free on your website or newspaper. We follow the Creative Commons license. Click the box and follow the instructions.
