Is Antonio Banderas White?

Question

I'm trying to settle a bet with my friend and I told her Antonio Banderas is white and she thinks he's Hispanic. Since he is from Spain and he's Spanish he is considered white, so whose right?

Ms. Q & A I have reported you, there is no need for name calling!

Answer 1

He is a white man from Spain. He is a white Hispanic. Just like there are white Americans, black Americans, Native Americans, and Americans that are olive-skinned. I am white and I am Hispanic. White is not a nationality, it is a skin color. When I am surrounded by intelligent, educated people and they hear me speak Spanish, they generally say "oh, I didn't know you could speak Spanish". But when I'm in the company of ignorant people and they hear me speak Spanish they generally say "You speak Spanish? I thought you were white". Duh! I am white and I'm Hispanic. I hope I've helped.

Answer 2

If you both were talking about race, you are correct.
There is no distinction between White and Hispanic except for ethnicity.

For years there were only three races:

Caucasian/White
*****
Mongolian/Asian

In the 70's, a movement was underway to place Hispanics in a separate category of "race". By the 80's most applications (employment, school, etc.) were changed, here in Texas at least, categorizing them as a separate race. Previously (for decades), all Hispanics and people of Latin origin (Latinos) fell under the Caucasian (White) race. That was common knowledge then and that is how schools, as well as the media, approached it.

As a result, race today seems to be more "undefined."

Antonio's race is Caucasian but he is of Hispanic ethnicity and his nationality is Spaniard.


Where does Chicano fit in?
The answer below -
... an interesting reference, although no mention of race:

Answer 3

No, Michael Jackson is a much whiter white than most White Americans. Banderas has a lovely complexion as a result of his Spanish heritate. And where did you get this crazy notion that "white Americans" are "often part Indian". That is a little weird.

Answer 4

Hello, I am from Spain. Do you know the name of our national holyday? Its called "Dia de la hispanidad" (Hispanic Day) Celebrated the 12 of October. Every day im convinced that people from USA are the most ignorant in the world.

Answer 5

It is interesting. My ex-husband is arabic and by no means was he "white". He is darker than most hispanics and some black people, but when we went to the INS, they officer there told him to check "white" for his race. So, I guess the only categories are Caucasian (white and White/non-hispanic), Black(or African-American/African heritage) and Hispanic. But here is where is gets tricky: My ex was born in Africa. And what about Children of mixed couples? do they just pick? or pick the one designation they most look like? I dont know...any who cares anyway? what does race have to do with it??? Awww...Ive gone and frustrated myself...good luck with this one...I was no help....

Answer 6

Yes He is considered White. People from Spain are White. They're considered "ethnic" White , like Italians. He could be considered Latino since Latino is a culture made up of Latin American people who speak Spanish. But he would not be considered Hispanic. Just like Catherine Zeta-Jones, she is considered White although she doesn't look like it.

Answer 7

Antonio Banderas is Hispanic, not Caucasian. He has even received a Hispanic Heritage award.

See: http://hispanicheritage.org/hispanic_det.php?id=103

Best,
GoodAdvice

Answer 8

You are. People from Spain are white like other Europeans.

Answer 9

Banderas was born in Málaga, Andalusia, Spain.He is kind of brownish.Need no sun tan.Technicly he is white.

Answer 10

No, he isnt white. True Spanish people from Spain have light coloring, but they are not considered caucasian, they are hispanic.