Who are Hispanic Americans?

• Hispanic Americans come from all over what is known as Latin America, i.e., Central and South America. The majority of course come from Mexico which I consider to be part of North America. Then there are a handful that come from Spain. I think what most Americans forget is that the majority of Hispanic Americans are native born! There are some of us that have been here since the 18th century. I am an 8th generation Tejano-we did not immigrate to the U.S. instead the border migrated westward.

• Hispanic Americans are those from Spanish descent, or that at some point were Spanish colonies.

• People from all over the Americas (Caribbean, North, Central, South America) who have ethnic heritage from Spain or Portugal.

Do you prefer to be identified as Hispanic, Latino, or by some other designation?

• Latino because it does not connotate empirical European ties.

• I don't have any preference over "Hispanic" or "Latino" although I would say "Latin" vs. "LatinO" which leaves out females.

• Latino is my preference.

• I prefer to be identified as a Chicano. It is a self identity title and not one imposed by others. However, I am a full fledge American.

What is the single most important issue for Hispanic Americans today?

• Education is the single most important issue for Hispanic Americans. It opens doors to all things!

• Education.

• To understand our power with the powerful tools at our disposal, such as our purchase power; our Social Media marketing power; our "mi familia" attitude in helping each other.

• Immigration and the illegal population.

How would you assess relations between Latino/Hispanic Americans and other ethnic groups in the U.S.?

• Good.

• The relationship depends on the ethnic groups. The relationships between Latino Americans and African Americans are good. There are strains , of course, but the dialogue continues. There have been Black-Brown Summits. In my opinion relationships between Jewish Americans and Latino Americans are great. In general, there is a need for improvement between white ethnic groups and Latino American groups. Finally, relations between Latino Americans and American Indians are great, especially between Chicanos/Mexican Americans and American Indians! People of Mexican descent are usually mestizos!

• Generally, I feel that they are FIRST acknowledged as a powerful force (by population) and then I feel that they are somehow liked by other ethnicities, thanks to the cultural values (they are polite, social, friendly, express their feelings clearly, fun to be around, loud...., posses good culinary, good music and generally handsome).

• We are more like primas y primos than strangers.

Do you feel that other ethnic groups have misconceptions or use stereotypes about Latino/Hispanic Americans? If so, what are they?

• Yes they do. The stereotypes are that Hispanics is a group that: 1. is NOT educated (people think of them as janitors) 2. is too sexual (have many kids) and extremely flirtatious 3. they are extremely loud (yelling and playing loud music) which may come across as not having manners. 4. They are most likely illegal immigrants. 5. They do not speak English but live in the USA. 6. They work hard but may cheat you easily. 7. Latin women make good housewives. 8. Latin men make good lovers. 9. Both men and women tend to be handsome (hot!).

• There are many preconceived notions of Latino Americans: all are illegal immigrants, lazy, dirty, not too bright, cannot be trusted, we party all the time, happy go lucky people, machismo, slick and not real Americans. But were hard workers and cheap labor.

• Definitely. That we are all illegal, uneducated, uncouth, "different", and many other racist misconceptions.

• Certainly It is so hard to generalize such a broad group. Many different races and nationalities make this group up that there are sure to be ignorance.

What do you consider to be a major milestone, or the single most significant event in Latino/Hispanic-American history?

• The recent appointment of Sonia Sotomayor in the Supreme Court.

• The election of Latino Americans to the House of Representatives and the Senate and the appointment of Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.

• The loss of Texas & part of California.

• When we realized our political power in the election of President Obama; when Cesar Chavez brought attention to the conditions that migrant field workers lived and worked under; when Sonia Sotomayor was appointed to the Supreme Court of Justice. And when I realized my own power as a Latina leader.

Although Latino/Hispanic Americans come from a number of different countries and cultures, is there any such thing as a collective Latino/Hispanic American culture? What are the major commonalities and major differences between the Latino/Hispanic American ethnic groups?

• I believe that there IS a collective culture, but we all (Hispanics) tend to minimize it because we like to be "different" and hate to be categorized. The major commonalities I find are: 1. Very social, friendly, outgoing... it's a very dynamic culture. 2. Lovers of good culinary (emotional food). Latins in exile crave beyond explanation for a taste of their homemade dish! Our culture is strongly tied with food. Food = Family.  3. Have a STRONG VALUE SYSTEM rooted in religion/spirituality/"hechicerias", but are not necessarily religious. 4. Music (and often dance) plays an important role in each country. 5. Have representational artistic artifacts (pottery, dresses, molas, metal work, hats, etc...) 6. They all LOVE futbol (soccer). The major differences I find are: 1. Use of language (vocabulary, grammar, accents) 2. Culinary differences: Dishes in various countries are different. 3. The history of their country varies 4. Music and dance and art in general is very different among Hispanic countries (ex: tango vs. salsa) 5. Their looks are different (hair, body type, eye color, skin color, etc).

• There is no real collective culture but there are culture commonalities that help unite us: common language-Spanish; most Latinos are Catholic; same mother country-thus a few similar culture traits; culture of poverty and oppression and the exclusion we all feel in this country. I personally find this very offensive since I was born here and so were all my ancestors since the 1700s. The major differences are the various culture traits from each individual country including language nuances.

• Language and general history are shared. Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, Cubans, Dominicans, Central Americans are all identified as Latinos.  Being of Puerto Rican descent, growing up in New York and now living out west, it is very challenging for me to relate with Mexican Americans of the western part of this country. We all come from very different regions and socio economic backgrounds.

• Commonalities: a "mi familia" attitude amongst us supporting each other. Differences: many "sub"-culture differences amongst the different countries of origin.

Do you feel there are any similarities between the struggles of Latino/Hispanic Americans for equality in America with other ethnic groups, and if so please explain?

• The struggle of African Americans, American Indians and Latino Americans is very similar: all were dispossessed of their land; were/are not considered full human beings and thus not real Americans-the result was segregation and exclusion. I also believe that the Irish and Latino struggle to be almost identical with a major difference. The Irish could move and change their last name and be included. ON the other hand, Latino Americans. American Indians and African Americans cannot change their skin color. The reality is that in our country value is placed on a human being based on their skin color-the darker you are the less value you are given! Thus, the similarity between Latino Americans, African Americans and American Indians.

• The only difference is that many Latinos/Hispanics come up through our south border or coast and can easily go back home, whereas, the early European and other non-continental people had an ocean separating them. No way home for a long time, if ever. Assimilation is different.

• Yes, I think so. The struggles are the same; we all want equality, but we come from different backgrounds. At the end, I believe we all (all ethnicities) want very, very similar things, but have to make different adjustments to acquire it.

• Not compared to black Americans. Black Latinos have more of a struggle than other racial groups in the Latino community.

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you, and why is it important? Why should all Americans regardless of ethnicity celebrate and appreciate Hispanic Heritage Month?

• Hispanic Heritage Month I believe is a small token given to Latino Americans. It is a minor way of extending recognition for our contributions to our country. Yes, all Americans should celebrate and appreciate Hispanic Heritage Month, In my mind I see a couple of things-Americans could get a better picture of who we really are and learn what we have done to contribute to the greatness of this country. However, the real solution is to include us in history and civic texts books at all levels of education. That would be real inclusion and a concrete way of main streaming our contributions.

• Being an American is a melting pot of all races and ethnicities, which should be embraced by all Americans. If this is an opportunity for schools and the public to be aware of all the Latino contributions to our society, then we should continue as awareness is the best cure for inequalities.

• We have contributed so much to this country in many different ways and we are all alike to a certain degree. We are growing and not going away. Might as well embrace us.

• I didn't even know about it before getting the invitation to take this survey. I am the one to think that important causes need to be constantly celebrated and promoted, not in one day (like Earth day) or one month.

In your own words, if you were to describe to someone who was unfamiliar with Latino/Hispanic American history, the history and culture of Latino/Hispanic Americans, what would you say?

• 
  I would speak about the long relationship between the US and Latin America, the rich diversity between the different countries, the great influence the US has had in countries in Latin America and how it has promoted development there. That not all Hispanics are Mexicans and I would explain some immigration issues to help the college students understand better the reasons for immigration of Hispanics into the US.

• That Latino Americans help found this country-that we were in what is now the United States long before the Pilgrims landed on the rock or the settlers in Virginia. That we have been involved in its development since its inception and have made major contributions to its success.

• Growing up Latina in the east bay of California....I would say this:  The history and culture of Latinos/Hispanics is very rich, very triumphant, very loyal, very passionate and very proud. My father died when I was 13 years old but I remember him saying this a lot: "Be proud to be Mexican-American, hija, no one can take that away from you, ever."

• We have added so much to the American culture, food, history language. It is a important ingredient to the American Experience. We are in every level of society and constantly enriching the future.