Does having an ancestor from Spain technically make someone hispanic or is it more of a cultural/ethnic identity from Latin/Central America only?

[Buzz Rules]

Does having an ancestor from Spain technically make someone hispanic or is it more of a cultural/ethnic identity from Latin/Central America only? For example, I have ancestor from Spain but have mostly Western, Central, and Eastern European heritage. My work place celebrates Hispanic heritage month in a variety of beautiful ways and I think it's a great thing. In short, I identify as white but I'm curious if technically I'm considered hispanic as well.

 

[Smugpugmug]

People from Spain are Hispanic but not Latino. Hispanic refers to someone from a Spanish speaking country regardless of race, to which Spain is but Latino is only within Latin America. It's why people from Brazil would be Latino but not Hispanic.

 

[focusondisney]

My grandfather was from Spain. I consider myself Spanish, not Hispanic. I recently got an enhanced US Census survey. They listed Spanish & Hispanic as different options. Other types of surveys I’ve taken don’t usually list Spain as an option under a Hispanic choice.

 

[sam_gordon]

I think there's more than just "an ancestor". First, what's the relationship? Grandparent? Great grandparent? Great-Great grandparent? Based on your beliefs (as I understand them), if you go back far enough, everyone is middle-eastern, right?

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

I would say it depends on how far removed you are and what percentage YOU are.

For example I believe I'm about 8% Native American and I actually look quite Native American and live in an area with Indian Reservations but on forms I generally just put White-Non Hispanic because when you start putting multiple things they start acting like you are automatically 50/50 and I know I am only a small amount.

 

[WDWEPCOT]

Grandmother from Spain - I consider myself Spanish not Hispanic - I mark white on forms - but I tan really well which often surprises people when I come home from vacations because otherwise I don’t get outside much and look like a Victorian on their deathbed

 

[Buzz Rules]

I think there's more than just "an ancestor". First, what's the relationship? Grandparent? Great grandparent? Great-Great grandparent? Based on your beliefs (as I understand them), if you go back far enough, everyone is middle-eastern, right?

My Spanish ancestor came to America in the late 1700's, early 1800's. 6 times great grandparent or so.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Based on your beliefs (as I understand them), if you go back far enough, everyone is middle-eastern, right?

African and Middle Eastern meaning the Fertile Cresent.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertile_Crescent

 

[WDWEPCOT]

I’m only 2nd generation in this country on my mothers side - my uncle looks very Spanish my mother not so much - funny how that works !!!

 

[lpereira]

People from Spain are Hispanic but not Latino. Hispanic refers to someone from a Spanish speaking country regardless of race, to which Spain is but Latino is only within Latin America. It's why people from Brazil would be Latino but not Hispanic.

Brazilians in the US are ok saying they are Latino. Brazilians in Brasil not so mmuch.There are outliers to both these statement. My husband would never agree to being called Latino despite living in the US. Brazilians in urban areas of Brasil may be more inclined to agree to being Latino but in rural areas (where my family lives) not so much.
The US government uses Hispanic and Latino interchangeably. No one else does.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Brazilians in the US are ok saying they are Latino. Brazilians in Brasil not so mmuch.There are outliers to both these statement. My husband would never agree to being called Latino despite living in the US. Brazilians in urban areas of Brasil may be more inclined to agree to being Latino but in rural areas (where my family lives) not so much.
The US government uses Hispanic and Latino interchangeably. No one else does.

Of course there are exceptions. I was just explaining the differences as many people think they're the same thing (not referring to anyone in this thread specifically, just in general).

 

[VandVsmama]

Just don't do what my MIL used to do...she was big into genealogy and somehow learned that many generations ago, one of her very Anglo-Saxon ancestors had a child with a person from China. When my kids were in elementary school, she insisted that my kids go to school to tell all of their Asian friends that they, too, are Asian just like the friends are. Thankfully, my kids have more common sense than that.

 

[E&Cmom]

My mom was from Spain but I have never really considered myself of Hispanic ancestry even though I guess by some definitions I am. I consider myself more of Spanish or European ancestry. I also mark white on the census.

 

[longboard55]

My guess it won't be long before we drop this whole race thing. Just about any born American is a mix. Its like if you are 1/16th black does that make you black. Not making much sense anymore

 

[sarahann77]

As I completed a survey last week I thought about this myself. I'm only a small percentage from Spain and such far back that I don't consider it for a survey. Technically I probably could though.