Why do the people in the US think that being latin american is a kind of race?

Question

I mean people in the US talk about latin americans as other race. And being latin american means "to live in a country in america where people talk a latin language (spanish, portuguese, italian, french or romanian). I'm from Argentina, and I'm white. Here you can also find mestizos or white. But being latin american is not a race. Do you understand what I say?

Please, don't get angry americans. I don't hate any american. In fact I think peoplein the USA is so friendly. I just wanted to know what is the idea you have about latin american. And let me tell you that I'm sorry if somebody feel angry with this

Answer 1

Para entender la respuesta, necesitas entender los EEUU. Es un país que sólo tiene un idioma, y por lo general no le gustan otros idiomas. La verdad es que los estadounidenses creen que todos los latinoamericanos son iguales porque hablan el mismo idioma. La mayoría de estadounidenses piensa en mejicanos cuando ellos oyen castellano y no saben que hay mucha diferencia entre Méjico y el resto del mundo hispanoparlante (tal vez con excepción de España). Es triste pero es así. Espero haberte ayudado.

Answer 2

Yeah, those terms you use are so relative and mean differnt things to different people.

"Latin American" does not decribe a race...it describes the language spoke by that person.

What's the big deal?

Answer 3

I understand your point. I'm a white American woman, and if I saw you walking down the street, I would have no idea where you were from, but I would probably notice that you speak with an accent that sounds like Spanish, so I would refer to you as a Latin American. I assume you probably have darker toned skin, so it would be apparent that you're not from England or Germany. I think it's just easier this way. Would it make you feel any better if people automatically assumed you were Mexican? Probably not...because you're not Mexican...you're Argentenian. Does this make sense?

Answer 4

well, if i understand the meaning of mestizos and if it's the same as Metisse in french, then they not white, they mixed latinos and whites...
and who told ya that people in the US thought that being latin american is a kind of race?

Answer 5

Why does everyone in america have to identify themselves with
another race first. Why not just american, as it should be. Love my country or get out.

Answer 6

Generally, people from Latin American countries are Hispanic just like people from Germany are generally Caucasian.

It's not a racial slur, it's just the norm. Like someone else said, get over it.

Answer 7

i'm jewish, and i'm white. i'm still another race. i don't know what your heritage is, so i can't really know what race you would be. however, what matters to these people who say such things, is not your race but the fact that you're *not like them*. you're foreign to them. and they hate it and fear it.

also, americans are such a mish-mash, they don't have just one race anyway.

Answer 8

Saying that your Argentinan and "white" portrays yourself as being shallow and i'm not saying you are but you should be proud and not care what anyone says all the people who say that are just ignorant

Answer 9

Yes I believe what you saying but there are a lotof people in the U.S. that just think if your not just like them you have to be different. It's sad but true.

Answer 10

Hay gente ignorante y quiere quedarse así.
Some people are ignorant and don't want to change..