What is the Difference Between Chicano and Hispanic

Chicano and Hispanic are two terms that are related to Spanish-speaking countries. Although most people use these terms interchangeably, there is a distinct difference between Chicano and Hispanic.

The key difference between Chicano and Hispanic is their scope. Chicano refers to an American with Mexican origin while Hispanic refers to a person from Spain or Spanish-speaking country like those of Central and South America.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What Does Chicano Mean
3. What Does Hispanic Mean
4. Similarities – Chicano and Hispanic
5. Chicano vs Hispanic in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Chicano vs Hispanic
7. FAQ – Chicano and Hispanic

What Does Chicano Mean?

Chicano is basically a term we use to refer to an American of Mexican origin. It’s mostly used to describe those who do not identify as Hispanic or Latin. It’s important to note that Chicano is the masculine form of the term and is used to describe men or boys. Chicana is the equivalent feminine form.

Originally, Chicano was a racist and classist insult used for low-income Mexicans. But it was reclaimed in the 1940s among those who belonged to the Pachuco and Pachuca subcultures. By the 1960s, it became a part of a movement towards ethnic solidarity, pride in being of indigenous descent, and political empowerment. The term Chicano comes from the concept of being “ni de aquí, ni de allá” (neither from here nor from there). Those who identify with this term usually have strong ties to Mexico but are perhaps first-generation or second-generation born/raised in the United States. This makes them feel like they don’t fit in completely with either culture.

What Does Hispanic Mean?

Hispanic is a term we use to refer to someone from Spain or a Spanish-speaking country like those of Central and South America. Historically, this term was used in the U.S. to refer to people of Spanish descent. Basically, the term Hispanic is based on the language a person speaks or their heritage. Some people who identify as Hispanic may not speak Spanish, while most do. Since this term is based on language, Hispanic people may have different countries and races. For example, both people from Chile and Mexico can call themselves because they speak Spanish.

Being Hispanic is not the same as being Latino. Latino is a term that is based on geography, i.e., it identifies people from Latin America. This includes those from South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Someone who is Hispanic may be also Latino, but this is not always true. For instance, a person from Spain can be called a Hispanic, but not Latino.

Similarities Between Chicano and Hispanic

1. Both Chicano and Hispanic identities are connected to Spanish-speaking cultures and traditions.
2. Chicanos are a subset of Hispanics.
3. Both share experiences related to colonization and migration.

Difference Between Chicano and Hispanic

Definition

1. Chicano refers to an American of Mexican origin.
2. Hispanic refers to a person from Spain or a Spanish-speaking country like those of Central and South America.

Country of Origin

1. Mexico is the country of origin for Chicanos.
2. Hispanics can be from different countries in Latin America.

Nature

1. Chicano is connected to a unique cultural and political identity linked to experiences in the U.S.
2. Hispanic is not connected to a specific cultural or political identity.

The following table summarizes the difference between Chicano and Hispanic.

Summary – Chicano vs Hispanic

Chicano specifically refers to Mexican Americans with a unique cultural and political identity, often linked to the Chicano Movement. Hispanic, on the other hand, is a broader term that describes people from Spanish-speaking countries, including Spain and Latin America. This is the summary of the difference between Chicano and Hispanic.

FAQ: Chicano and Hispanic

1. Do Chicanos identify as Hispanic?

• Chicanos are Americans with a Mexican origin. They use this term to emphasize their cultural and political identity. Hispanic refers to people with a Spanish history. Therefore, some Chicanos may identify as Hispanic.

2. What makes a person Chicano?

• A person is Chicano if they are of Mexican descent and identify with a special cultural and political identity linked to their experiences in the U.S. Generally, first-generation or second-generation Mexicans born or/raised in the United States identify themselves as Chicano.

3. Are Hispanics and Latinos the same?

• Hispanics and Latinos are not the same. Hispanics are linked to Spanish heritage, while Latinos are linked to Latin America. Someone who is Hispanic may be Latino, but this is not always true. For instance, a person from Spain can be called a Hispanic but not Latino.

4. Who is considered Hispanic?

• Those who have a Spanish heritage are called Hispanic. The U.S. Department of Transportation defines Hispanic as: “persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.”

5. Which country is called Hispanic?

• No specific country is called Hispanic; the term “Hispanic” refers to Spanish-speaking countries and cultures, mainly in Latin America and Spain.

Reference:

1. “Who is Hispanic?” Pew Research Center.

2. “Chicano.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.

Image Courtesy:

1. “ChicanoPowerCSULA” By Jim Winstead – (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia

2. “Hispanic and Latino Americans by state” By Abbasi786786 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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