If Puerto Ricans and Mexicans are Latinos, does that make them all Chicanos?

Question

I just don't know. I am not trying to offend anyone.

Answer 1

They are not the same. Funny thing is my husband is Mexican and he didn't know!!! So, I looked it up.

Chicano
A relatively recent term that has been appropriated by many Mexican descendants as unique and therefore reflective of their unique culture, though its first usage seems to have been discriminatory. The most likely source of the word is traced to the 1930 and 40s period, when poor, rural Mexicans, often native Americans, were imported to the US to provide cheap field labor, under an agreement of the governments of both countries. The term seems to have come into first use in the fields of California in derision of the inability of native Nahuatl speakers from Morelos state to refer to themselves as "Mexicanos," and instead spoke of themselves as "Mesheecanos," in accordance with the pronunciation rules of their language (for additional details, refer to the file MEXICO on this same subdirectory). An equivocal factor is that in vulgar Spanish it is common for Mexicans to use the "CH" conjunction in place of certain consonants in order to create a term of endearment. Whatever its origin, it was at first insulting to be identified by this name. The term was appropriated by Mexican-American activists who took part in the Brown Power movement of the 60s and 70s in the US southwest, and has now come into widespread usage. Among more "assimilated" Mexican-Americans, the term still retains an unsavory connotation, particularly because it is preferred by political activists and by those who seek to create a new and fresh identity for their culture rather than to subsume it blandly under the guise of any mainstream culture.

Hispanics
This term is often used to refer collectively to all Spanish-speakers. However, it specifically connotes a lineage or cultural heritage related to Spain. As many millions of people who speak Spanish are not of true Spanish descent (e.g., native Americans), and millions more live in Latin America (cf., "Latino" below) yet do not speak Spanish or claim Spanish heritage (e.g., Brazilians) this term is incorrect as a collective name for all Spanish-speakers, and may actually be cause for offense.

Latino
This term is used to refer to people originating from, or having a heritage related to, Latin America, in recognition of the fact that this set of people is actually a superset of many nationalities. Since the term "Latin" comes into use as the least common denominator for all peoples of Latin America in recognition of the fact that some romance language (Spanish, Portuguese, French) is the native tongue of the majority of Latin Americans, this term is widely accepted by most. However, the term is not appropriate for the millions of native Americans who inhabit the region.

Mexican
Specifically, the nationality of the inhabitants of Mexico. Therefore, the term is used appropriately for Mexican citizens who visit or work in the United States, but it is insufficient to designate those people who are citizens of the United States (they were born in the US or are naturalized citizens of the US) who are of Mexican ancestry. The various terms used to properly designate such people are described below, however, it is important to explain why these people feel it is important to make such a distinction. US citizens who are troubled by this often point out that most immigrants do not distinguish themselves by point of origin first, (i.e., German-American), but simply as "Americans" (another troublesome term, but we won't get detoured by that here).

Answer 2

Chicano means Mexican-American

Answer 3

Chicanos are hispanics who were born in the usa. Latinos is a better word to call spanish people when you don't know what country they are from. Some also call people who have a spanish parent and an american parent chicanos. Some hispanics get offended if you call them Mexican and they are from another country like El Salvador and vice versa. Thats why I always call Spanish people hispanics like they call us Americans.

Answer 4

No Puerto Ricans are not Chicanos.

Mexico is named after the Amerindian tribe the Mexica or MECha. So lets look into this spelling and its origins. It comes from Nahuatl language. Now Xicano is also Chicano = MeXicano it is actually in the word Mexican or Mexicano so it means Mexicans only it has more native emphasis.

Answer 5

No, no, no it doesn't =) Any Latin American is Latino/a but Chicano/a is Mexican-American only. Bodequa means Puerto Rican =)

Answer 6

Chicanos and Latinos are both slang words for the same thing.

Answer 7

No it does not. Chicanos specifically refers to Mexican people only.


Have a lovely rest of the evening.

Answer 8

Klaus Barbie is a freaking idiot!! Good luck to ya pale!