My family is Basque ancestry and moved to Cuba for 2 generations from Spain, due to religious turmoil (I was born in the US though). However, when I tell people I'm Hispanic they usually tell me "sure, right" or "I always thought you were white". BTW, I have brown eyes and hair but people say I don't have Hispanic "facial features" and I have very fair skin!!! Plus I have a Basque last name (Spanish name with French influence) so its not a typical name like Lopez, Guzman etc.
Why do some people refuse to believe that I'm Hispanic? Should I just play along? I guess it has its advantages. I drive like a jackass sometimes and have only been pulled over once and given a warning.
2007-08-30 10:30:53 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
Because americans thinks that all latinos are dark skinned people, they dont know that a latino is a etnicity and we can be white(like alexis bledel, gisele bundchen or cristina ), black (like Juan de la Rosa or Celia Cruz), asian (like alberto Fujimori), arab (like Carlos Slim), etc etc
2007-08-30 11:03:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Let me see if i understand you.
Your family is Basque, Basconia is part of Spain whether you like it or not.
You moved to Cuba, two generations ago as an immigrant.
Your reason to move was religious turmoil in Spain.
The religious turmoil in Spain was between 1200 and 1400
it was called Saint inquisition, and it was only against
Jewish people.
Yet, you were born in the USA
The people from Basconia have their own language and ethnicity (nothing to do with French language) and
they are definitely white, no questions about.
Police gives you a brake when you speed,
because you look white.
Either you are confused or you are definitely
what you think you are
PS
People from Spain are Spaniards and not Hispanics,
modern Portugal was a Roman province called Lusitania
and not Hispania
2007-08-30 11:27:47 · answer #2 · answered by argus 5 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Don't worry about it.Why should it be that important what other people think?My mom had the opposite thing happen to her. She was only 1/4 Native American and all of the Hispanic ladies in our neighborhood would always speak Spanish to her and got upset when she didn't know what they were saying.It is a crazy world.My mom had a Russian last name.
2007-08-31 08:40:53 · answer #3 · answered by Marilyn T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Notice how arbitrary "screamingradical" is in his fabricated definition.
Hispania was the name given by the Romans to the whole of the Iberian Peninsula (modern Portugal, Spain, Andorra and Gibraltar). It was first mentioned by a Roman poet in 200 b.c.
Read the Wikipedia article (there are enough citations to warrant a fair degree of assumed accuracy).
Basques are most DEFINITELY Hispanic.
...
2007-08-30 11:13:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
IGNORANCE!
But then, if you are another successful, productive American, you are just an American!
You ancestry is not important.
Call yourself an American with Hispanic roots, recognize that those who argue the point are just uneducated, and you'll do okay. It isn't even an issue if you truly ARE an American. A true American recognizes that fact.
There will ALWAYS be stupid people just like there will always be poor people.
There isn't much you can do about it unless brain transplants are developed.
2007-08-30 11:47:59 · answer #5 · answered by Philip H 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Hispanics ARE white. Here Hispanic usually means Chicano, not Basque, but Cubans qualify.
2007-08-30 10:54:21 · answer #6 · answered by DAR 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
My problem is the opposite, many people think I am hispanic and that I speak spanish, when I tell them i'm not and I don't they get all shocked. I just smile and get over it real quick, there are bigger problems in the world.
2007-08-31 05:03:46 · answer #7 · answered by 1982 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Ignorant people are used to only brown skinned hispanics.
2007-08-30 10:58:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Hispanic has a specific meaning! You do not fit. Hispanic means that you are of Native American mixed with Spanish blood, and speak a dialect of Spanish mixed with the tribal language. A Basque is not part of that group.
Edit: Sure is strange that someone who grew up in the American Southwest and watched the words used for non Mexicans develop apparently makes things up. I hope all you know it alls have a great life. Maybe you can redefine the entire American Language. Its_about _someone has sure made a good start. PS anyone who sites Wikpedia is no scholar.
2007-08-30 10:43:31 · answer #9 · answered by Coasty 7 · 1⤊ 7⤋
I'm latino in heritage. But I have blonde hair and blue eyes. People NEVER believe me, even though I have a naturally tan skin tone. Just live with it.
2007-08-30 10:38:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋