When my grandparents came here in the 60s their papers classified them as "white". This was before the Nixon white house created the "hispanic" category in which to place us. The fact is that "hispanic", at least as it is used in the States now, is an artificial contruct that was dictated to our people by the US government. I think it's coming to bite them on the butt because what's happening is that a genuine US latin culture is emerging from the myriad of latin immigrants and their descendants here that would be analogous to the subculture African Americans have constructed here. In attempt to marginalize us they probably empowered us, at least culturally speaking. But in the long run I think the hispanic category will eventually be done away with. Why? Because the white population here is dwindling and they'll resort to the old method used in the past when whites were few in any given area of absolute European influence and control: They'll start classifying near whites as white or in our case they'll start classifying those of us that are indeed "white" as such. Of course this is all conjecture but there are precidents.

ciby believe it or not that classification was for the Boricuas to allow them to take advantage of minority programs ....well everybody cashed in ...my daughter was born in PR she shamelessly used it as a leg up...Nixon did a lot to expand great society programs even though he ranted against them

Contrary to what some may have predicted, it is the immigrant minorities like Hispanics/Latinos who have influenced the USA to adapt and not the other way around in regards to social definitions of race/ethnicty. The US census categories have evolved and expanded. It took them a while to understand that Latino/Hispanic, unlike 'white' or African-American/'black is not a a single race/color.

"ciby believe it or not that classification was for the Boricuas to allow them to take advantage of minority programs ...."

That's interesting you should say that. I always thought it was because it would be really difficult to place Mexican-Americans, which has long constituted the largest "hispanic" group, in the black-white paradigm.

[QUOTE=amoree]
Hi Jem237!

That could be true too.. And yes.. America needs to be educated on plenty of things. I live in [B]Kentucky [/B]and you'd be surprise to know that a few people think Dominican Republic is in the Middle East and Haiti is in South Africa..and the fact that they share the same island is a complete SHOCK!

So don't expect them to know what a Latina is..

Maybe there should be more Hispanic producers to make films depicting the diversities of phenotype within Latin America in their storyline.

Only education can dismiss stereotype. You should do some reading on the problems faced by Iman when she started her modeling career. People like Alek Wek really defy the older version of the supermodel image.

By the way, you are an absolutely beautiful woman (non-gay comment). I don't think it would matter what complexion you are.....


Don't mean to stereotype, but I've found that states that have the least amount of diversity are a little behind compared to say people in NY/NJ/MA or FL.
My Uncle lived out in Texas with his then Mexican wife, the Mexicans thought he was Puerto Rican, the African Americans thought he was sometype of mixed Mexican, the whites thought he was anything from Middle Eastern to Mexican mixed with black.
I've read AA's from San Francisco ask why do some black baseball players have 'Mexican names'
The stereotype we EastCoasters have is that people outside these areas are verrrrry behind.
By the way, alot of Dominicans are moving out to North Carolina (along with alot of other Hispanics from the Northeast), let's see how that evolves. I think Charlotte, NC already had their first Dominican Parade (I know I know, what is it with us & parades, lmao)

do not always assume the USA was trying to find ways to screw you ...in fact they were trying to accomodate all ....it is by far the most progressive racial country in the world ....Changing on a daily basis ...I love it ...stop looking for the bad news and the conspiracy...look at the history of the last 50 years I lived it and it is astounding ...only in America

This is not being anti-american in any way, I live here and am grateful that I do.
It's a dialogue regarding how Dominicans' self-identification has fared and fit into the USA
Like I've said before, the only ones I've seen have a problem with that have been some Afrocentric extremist on some forums.

USADR,

LOL@ parades...

My Hispanic friends hate the fact that the first thing that comes out of an American's mouth is "Are you Mexican?" As though, only they exist...

And yes because of the increase of Latinos in America.. it's causing America to change their ideas on a small scale toward race.. You can now check multiracial on an application right under the box that says Hispanic...Yipee! LOL... That only gives American Blacks the chance to claim something different.. like that's going to change the fact that both are still minorities.. But as you said.. only for now

Cibaeno..There are very few pure Whites these days.. I was in the bank the other day and I mentioned the fact of a family reunion. She made it her business to tell me that her great grandmother was a Black woman.. So what are "real Whites" and what are "real Blacks".. Do they really exist in this Hemisphere? There's so much race mixing in the U.S...In a class of 20 children, at least 3-5 of them are bi-racial and one is Mexican..lol.. no offense but Mexicans are in places you'd never think they'd be..

And back to USADR,

I didn't know about the influx of Dominicans to North Carolina.. About 10 years ago, Charlotte was predicted to be the next Atlanta..

I love highly culturally integrated cities like New York, Chicago, LA, Miami, etc..We in Kentucky need to get with the program..You know 15 years ago, speaking Spanish here couldn't get you a job and was almost frowned upon.. Now they don't have enough certified Spanish teachers to handle the influx of Hispanics here in this state.. There are not only a zillion Mexicans but a large Cuban population as well..

USADR,

All extremists can be pains in the behind.. no matter where they come from.. Balance is what we need...

"Cibaeno..There are very few pure Whites these days.. I was in the bank the other day and I mentioned the fact of a family reunion. She made it her business to tell me that her great grandmother was a Black woman.. So what are "real Whites" and what are "real Blacks".. "

That's just arguing semantics and besides I've never made a case for "real whites" or for that matter "real blacks".