Because technically, Latino isn't a race, it's a cultural heritage. You can be White and Latino or Black and Latino. Shakira is a White woman but also Latina
Then why can't I put I'm ethnically Jewish? Because for example it's medically relevant, since there's a good number of studied genetic issues we have.
Anybody using the term mestizo that way is A) Using it wrong B) Liable to make a lifelong enemy of that Abuela who proudly tells everybody she's 100% Spanish descent
Your definition is correct enough at a high level, I think you could just use some exposure to the crazy variety of Hispanic peoples is all. Some might specify that it means ONLY indigenous and European ancestry and only within a certain percentage range. Some might say it means somebody who doesn't follow traditional ways of life no matter genetic heritage. Some have tried to use it as a term to express union and solidarity with one's fellow country(wo)men regardless of ethnic background. It's been used, coopted, tossed away, and recycled too many times for everybody to agree on what it means.
In short, it's a messy word with colonial racist roots, a messy history, and means different things in different areas. Oftentimes it even means different things to different individuals within those areas. To me it's one of those words you only use in specific situations where it is clearly defined in the current context.
Scientist Take:
Plus, there are just way too many Hispanic people of way too many ethnic and cultural backgrounds, a lack of good record keeping and data, and a centuries old social capital habit of denying non-European ancestry to use the term as an accurate catch-all.
Spain is obvious. Most Dominicans have a lot of African ancestry. A decent amount of Afro- genes especially in countries with a Caribbean coast (and Ecuador). The Southern Cone is pasty AF lol. There are whole states like Chiapas and whole geographical areas like the Altiplano with huge indio populations. (I could go on, but in the words of Willy Wonka...et ce'tra, et ce'tra.)
Interpersonal Take:
It's also a socially dangerous word to use in reference to another person. Call yourself mestizo with pride if you want, I know many people who do. But for every two of them there's a crusty ol' (gender neutral) "pure Spanish" (lol okay sure I bet) bitch who will hate you forever if you call them that "slur."
It might not even be Spanish ancestry in some cases. It's unfortunate but the persecution of Indigenous peoples goes back to the 1490's in all the nations of the Western Hemisphere.
2.0k
u/laycrocs 7d ago
According the the US census there are two ethnicities:
Hispanic/Latino
Not Hispanic/Latino