Identity Terms

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Hispanic or Latino/a/x - what are the diferences?
Hispano, Hispana, Hispanic, or Hispanic American
An adjective describing individuals, countries, or cultures in the Americas or Caribbean shaped by Spain's language and culture from Spain's colonizing period of history. Often used with individuals living outside of their own Spanish-speaking countries.
Latino, Latina, or Latin American
An adjective describing individuals, countries, or cultures in the Americas or the Caribbean shaped by Spain, Portugal, or France's language and culture from the colonizing period of history. This term is broader than Hispanic American, which is limited to Spanish-speaking countries.
What is Latin America?
Definition, History, Countries
History Channel - Latino, Hispanic, Latinx, Chicano: The History Behind the Terms
History of the terms: Hispanic, Latino, Chicano, & Latinx
Latinx
An inclusive gender-neutral adjective describing individuals of Latin American heritage and culture who do not wish to be identified with a binary gender (male/female).
Do Hispanics use the term Latinx?
Results of the Dec 2019 Survey of U.S. Latino adults on term Latinx from Pew Research Center.
Preferred Identity: Country of origin, Hispanic, Latino or American?
Results of the poll on preferred identity in the 2011 National Survey of Latinos from Pew Research Center on Identity, Pan-Ethnicity, and Race

Latino = Geography (Latin America) vs Hispanic = Language

Venn Diagram - Latino vs Hispanic

Survey

As a person from a Hispanic background, how do you prefer to be identified?

I identify as

Hispanic / Hispano / Hispana

Latino / Latina

Latinx

Country of Origin (Mexican, etc.)

American

Other

Hispanic / Hispano / Hispana: 39 votes (38.61%)

Latino / Latina: 31 votes (30.69%)

Latinx: 2 votes (1.98%)

Country of Origin (Mexican, etc.): 14 votes (13.86%)

American: 7 votes (6.93%)

Other: 8 votes (7.92%)

Total Votes: 101

Hispanic = Spanish-Speaking Countries

Spanish-Speaking Countries Map
CIA World Factbook

Country information:
- Spain
- Mexico
- Central America
- South America
- Equatorial Guinea

Hispanic Information

U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services, Division of Policy and Data, Office of Minority Health - Profile: Hispanic/Latino Americans
The Division of Policy and Data (DPD) is responsible for developing health policies and initiatives that are designed to address the elimination of health disparities and advance health equity. The Office of Minority Health provides the most current quantitative information related to minority health.
PBS Series: Latino Americans
LATINO AMERICANS is a landmark six-hour documentary featuring interviews with nearly 100 Latinos and more than 500 years of History:
- Timeline (1500-2013)
- Episodes
- Videos from other Latino experiences.
CNN - Hispanics in the US Fast Facts
A look at the Hispanic population in the United States, via the Census Bureau
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) - Hispanic/Latinx Identity & Cultural Dimensions
Our culture, beliefs, sexual identity, values, race and language all affect how we perceive and experience mental health conditions. In fact, cultural differences can influence what treatments, coping mechanisms and supports work for us. It is therefore essential for culture and identity to be a part of the conversation as we discuss both mental health and mental health care.
US Patent & Trademark Office - Patents & Inventions by Hispanic Americans
In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the USPTO recognizes some Hispanic Americans whose inventions contributed to the nation's social and economic well-being.
2012 Barna Survey: A Snapshot of the Values, Views & Faith of Hispanic Americans
The Barna survey identified key elements that strongly characterized the Hispanic community such as a deep connection to family, a concern for social justice and a firm belief in faith practice.

Organizations

West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (WMHCC)
Their mission is to work with all members of the community to increase the economic advancement of Hispanic owned businesses and to assist the professional growth of Hispanic business leaders in West Michigan.
United We Dream (UWD)
UWD is the largest immigrant youth-led community in the country. They empower people to develop their leadership, their organizing skills, and to develop our own campaigns to fight for justice and dignity for immigrants and all people. This is achieved through immigrant youth-led campaigns at the local, state, and federal level.
Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA)
ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals For America) is the longest standing Latino organization with 72,000+ members assembled in 43 professional and more than 150 student chapters across America.

Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC)
Founded in 1969, CPLC has grown to defend the rights of people of all backgrounds, regardless of ethnicity, race, age, gender, orientation, or immigration status, while maintaining a special competence in meeting the needs of the Latino and Spanish-speaking population. Our programs work to help individuals and families acheive self-sufficiency by providing accessible healthcare; affordable housing; a quality education; access to meaningful work; and political representation.
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) was established in 1986 and represents more than 500 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America, Spain and U.S. School Districts.
Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR)
Founded in 1986, the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility’s (HACR) mission is to advance the inclusion of Hispanics in Corporate America at a level commensurate with our economic contributions in the areas of Employment, Procurement, Philanthropy, and Governance.
Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF)
Established by the White House in 1987, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation identifies, inspires, prepares, and connects Latino Leaders in the community, classroom, and workforce.
The Hispanic Institute (THI)
THI provides an effective education forum for an informed and empowered Hispanic America with the following projects:
- Study of Hispanic economic contributions
- Media monitoring
- Consumer fraud protection
- Citizenship education
- Technology and Telecommunication research
Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)
HSF empowers families with the knowledge and resources to successfully complete a higher education, while providing scholarships and support services to as many exceptional students as possible.
Latino Victory
Vatino Victory is an organization dedicated to building political power in the Latino community so that the voices and values of Latinos are reflected at every level of government and in the policies that drive our country forward.
National Alliance for Hispanic Health
Formed in 1973 as the Coalition of Spanish Speaking Mental Health Organizations (COSSMHO), the National Alliance for Hispanic Health is science-based and community-driven, focusing on the best health for all.
National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO)
Founded in 1981, NALEO Educational Fund is the nation’s leading 501(c) (3) non-profit, non-partisan organization that facilitates full Latino participation in the American political process, from citizenship to public service.
National Hispanic Institute (NHI)
Founded in 1979, NHI's mission is to create experiences that engage achieving high school and college age youth in community leadership roles that advance our quality of life.
National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA)
Established in 1994 in Washington, DC, the National Hispanic Medical Association is a non-profit association representing the interests of 50,000 licensed Hispanic physicians in the United States. NHMA is dedicated to empowering Hispanic physicians to be leaders who will help eliminate health disparities and improve the health of Hispanics.
National Institute for Latino Policy (NiLP)
The National Institute for Latino Policy (NiLP) is an independent center established in 1982 in New York City originally as the Institute for Puerto Rican Policy (IPR). Their mission is to provide a unique approach and voice to the policy analysis and advocacy needs of the Latino community in the United States.
UNIDOS US
Established in 1968, Unidos US was formerly National Council of La Raza (NCLR). Their mission is to build a stronger country by creating opportunities for Latinos. They serve the Hispanic community through research, policy analysis, and state and national advocacy efforts, as well as in their program work in communities nationwide. They partner with a national network of nearly 300 Affiliates across the country to serve millions of Latinos in the areas of civic engagement, civil rights and immigration, education, workforce and the economy, health, and housing.
United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC)
America’s largest Hispanic business organization, representing over 4.7 million Hispanic-owned businesses. Their mission is to foster Hispanic economic development and to create sustainable prosperity for the benefit of American society.
Voto Latino
Voto Latino is a 15-year-old grassroots political organization focused on educating and empowering a new generation of Latinx voters, as well as creating a more robust and inclusive democracy.

Hispanic & Latino Resources