Latino folks: is 'mestizo' a derogatory term?

Question

A latino friend of mine made a statement that it is, which I thought was kind of strange.

Answer 1

It depends, the translation would be something like "half-blood" as far as I know. In Argentina (South America) is not a very common term, and it would possibly be taken as a derogatory term. Perhaps in Mexico or other northern countries is more acceptable, because they have a larger population of descendent of spaniards and natives (and they kept their culture which is awesome).

Answer 2

No. Mestizo was used to describe people with spaniards ancestors, and indígenas ancestors. And there is nothing bad about it. I'm mestizo and I don't consider it a derogatory term. And in Mexico, I have never hear it as a derrogatory term. In fact, almost all latinamericans are mestizos.

Answer 3

mestizo come from mezcla =(mix) a mestizo is a mix of two races it used to be used when spanish people had kids with mexicans for example, the kids would be meztizos
For me is not a derogatory term is just what it is.

Answer 4

He's probably mixed up, I've heard the term hundreds of times with no kind of such effect. I believe that's the name that was given to those people of latin america with mixed ancestry consisting of European/Native Indian.

Answer 5

I thought mestizo was a brand of barbaque sauce or ketchup or something.

Answer 6

no, its used for mixed latinos. as you may realize already latinos are a very multi faceted culture & ethnicity...

Answer 7

No not really, he might have been a little sensitive but definitely no. I'm Hispanic and it means dark-colored.