Why do Hispanics refer to themselves as Spanish?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are not saying they are from Spain, they are saying that they speak Spanish like their family.

No they are calling themselves Spanish instead of White, language is not even part of the discussion.

What is the obsession with making sure they understand racial vs lingual terminology. Surely you understand why they are making this category. Why do you need them to use the word you deem correct?

[Anonymous]

OP here. This was not related to just one discussion. I hear Central American kids refer to themselves as Spanish quite a bit. Another example that pops into my head was during a conversation about soccer, a Hispanic kid said, "Spanish people are good at soccer". And no, he was not talking about people from Spain, it was apparent from the conversation that he was talking about people like him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know a woman from Spain who says that she has met many Americans who actually were surprised how light she is. They thought Spaniards were dark like Mexicans.

I was shocked when I went to Spain because I thought they were too...

Most Mexicans are both Spanish and Native American.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are not saying they are from Spain, they are saying that they speak Spanish like their family.

No they are calling themselves Spanish instead of White, language is not even part of the discussion.

What is the obsession with making sure they understand racial vs lingual terminology. Surely you understand why they are making this category. Why do you need them to use the word you deem correct?

I don't. It's not like I corrected them. I didn't say a thing about it. I posted this to DCUM because I find it curious and I wanted others' take on it. Something that people do on DCUM in case you haven't noticed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about Black Hispanics? Do they call themselves Spanish, Black, Hispanic, Latino, or country of origin?

Black Hispanics? Are you referring to those from African origins who live in Spanish speaking countries and speak the language? Aren't you crossing ethnicity?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know a woman from Spain who says that she has met many Americans who actually were surprised how light she is. They thought Spaniards were dark like Mexicans.

I was shocked when I went to Spain because I thought they were too...

Most Mexicans are both Spanish and Native American.

.

This is true as are most other Central/South Americans which makes me wonder if that could be the reason they call themselves Spanish. Maybe they feel more of a connection with their Spanish ancestry than White Americans feel with their English ancestry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about Black Hispanics? Do they call themselves Spanish, Black, Hispanic, Latino, or country of origin?

Black Hispanics? Are you referring to those from African origins who live in Spanish speaking countries and speak the language? Aren't you crossing ethnicity?

Yes, like those living in the Dominican Republic. Officially, they are considered Black Hispanics.

[Anonymous]

I hear so many Americans who call themselves Irish, Scottish, German, and yet, they've never set foot in those countries. Most times, some distant ancestor may have immigrated from there. The Jersey Shore kids called themselves Italians, but only one actually spoke it or had a parent who had recently immigrated from there.

Also, I'm Latina/Hispanic and either identify myself as such or as from the S. American country my parents immigrated from. I've never heard anyone call themselves Spanish -- even though I and quite a few friends and family members could obtain either Spanish or Italian citizenship. And even those don't call themselves Spanish or Italian.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. This was not related to just one discussion. I hear Central American kids refer to themselves as Spanish quite a bit. Another example that pops into my head was during a conversation about soccer, a Hispanic kid said, "Spanish people are good at soccer". And no, he was not talking about people from Spain, it was apparent from the conversation that he was talking about people like him.

The kid meant people who speak Spanish are good at soccer. I understand what he means, and I find it quite befuddling that you can't grasp this rather simple concept.

Clearly you have some sort of agenda to foist your American labels of Latino and Hispanic on these kids. I find that quite befuddling as well.

Quick show of hands: who else thinks this woman has no business working with kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP the irony of your post is hilarious. You complain that South American kids are calling for themselves Spanish instead of Hispanic yet they refer to the same thing. You can only be Hispanic if you are from Spain or Portugal. Lol.

You are an ignoramus, too. This is the definition of Hispanic: 1. relating to Spain or to Spanish-speaking countries, especially those of Latin America. 2.
a Spanish-speaking person living in the US, especially one of Latin American descent.

Did you know the Portuguese do not speak Spanish? Therefore, they cannot be Hispanic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about Black Hispanics? Do they call themselves Spanish, Black, Hispanic, Latino, or country of origin?

Black Hispanics? Are you referring to those from African origins who live in Spanish speaking countries and speak the language? Aren't you crossing ethnicity?

Yes, like those living in the Dominican Republic. Officially, they are considered Black Hispanics.

Wrong. They call themselves Dominicans. Not black Dominicans...just Dominicans.

[Anonymous]

Hey op, why don't you correct these kids each and every time they refer to themselves as Spanish? I bet that will go over well. Alternatively, you could myob.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about Black Hispanics? Do they call themselves Spanish, Black, Hispanic, Latino, or country of origin?

Black Hispanics? Are you referring to those from African origins who live in Spanish speaking countries and speak the language? Aren't you crossing ethnicity?

Yes, like those living in the Dominican Republic. Officially, they are considered Black Hispanics.

Wrong. They call themselves Dominicans. Not black Dominicans...just Dominicans.

Yes, I'm sure they do. But have you honestly saying that you've never heard the term Black Hispanic? It's used on the Census. In any event, it makes perfect sense for them to call themselves Dominican. It would be weird for them to call themselves Spanish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hey op, why don't you correct these kids each and every time they refer to themselves as Spanish? I bet that will go over well. Alternatively, you could myob.

Gee, why doesn't everyone who posts on DCUM about some societal issue that they find perplexing just mind their own business. As I stated earlier, I'm keeping my perplexity to myself. I'm not correcting them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP the irony of your post is hilarious. You complain that South American kids are calling for themselves Spanish instead of Hispanic yet they refer to the same thing. You can only be Hispanic if you are from Spain or Portugal. Lol.

I don't understand your last sentence. Do you believe one can only be Hispanic if they are from Spain or Portugal or are you claiming that's my belief? If it's the later, I suggest you read through this thread again.