What Being Hispanic and Latinx Means in the United States | Fernanda Ponce | TEDxDeerfield

Summary

This speech discusses the harmful stereotypes and misconceptions about Hispanics and Latinos in the U.S., illustrated by an incident at a store where a Hispanic woman faced verbal abuse. It highlights the difference between 'Hispanic' and 'Latino,' the significant contributions of this community to the U.S. economy, politics, and culture, and the importance of understanding their diverse backgrounds. The speaker encourages empathy, challenging stereotypes, and promoting understanding across communities, urging everyone to learn more about each other to foster unity and respect.

Takeaways

• 😡 A 2016 viral video showed a woman shouting racist insults at a Hispanic woman in a JCPenney store, with some bystanders silently agreeing.
• 👩‍🏫 The speaker, a first-generation Mexican-American, reflects on the incident, asking how it would feel to be on the receiving end of such hateful stereotypes.
• 📜 The video highlights common misconceptions about Hispanics and Latinos, including stereotypes about welfare and language proficiency.
• 🌎 'Hispanic' refers to people from Spanish-speaking countries, while 'Latino/Latina/Latinx' refers to people from Latin American countries, including Brazil and Haiti.
• 📊 Latinos make up about 18% of the U.S. population, the largest minority group, projected to grow significantly by 2060.
• 💼 Latinos contribute greatly to the U.S. economy, with Latino-owned businesses growing by 47% and contributing trillions in consumer power.
• 🌮 Latino culture, especially food like tamales and tortilla chips, has significantly influenced American society.
• 👨‍⚖️ Misunderstandings about Hispanic and Latino identities can lead to incidents like the one involving Judge Gonzalo Curiel, who was wrongly labeled by a political figure.
• 🧠 Latino and Hispanic are ethnic, not racial, identifiers, meaning people from these groups can belong to any race and have diverse backgrounds.
• 🤝 The speaker emphasizes the importance of learning about different cultures, asking questions, and challenging biases to foster better understanding and connections between people.

Q & A

What incident is being discussed in the beginning of the script?

The incident discussed is a viral video from December 2016 where a person shouted racist insults at a Hispanic woman in a JC Penney store, accusing her of cutting in line and making stereotypical comments like 'go back to wherever the f*** you come from' and 'you're probably on welfare.'

How did the speaker personally connect to the incident in the video?

The speaker identifies as a Spanish and English-speaking, first-generation Mexican-American Latina and reflected on how it could have been her in the woman's position, facing horrifying insults and stereotypes about her identity.

What are the differences between the terms 'Hispanic' and 'Latino'?

'Hispanic' refers to people from Spanish-speaking countries like Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, and parts of the Caribbean, while 'Latino' or 'Latinx' refers to people with origins in Latin American countries, including Brazil and Haiti. 'Latino' is more inclusive of non-Spanish-speaking countries.

What stereotypes about Hispanics and Latinos were mentioned in the script?

Common stereotypes mentioned include the belief that all Hispanics and Latinos are immigrants, rely on welfare, or all speak Spanish. These are false generalizations.

How significant is the Latino population in the U.S.?

Latinos make up about 18% of the U.S. population, making them the largest minority group. Their population is projected to grow by 30% by 2060, and every 30 seconds, a Latinx turns 18, representing a significant voting bloc.

What impact do Latinos have on the U.S. economy?

Latinos contribute significantly to the economy, with a consumer power of $1.3 trillion in 2015. The number of Latino-owned businesses has grown by 47%, creating jobs and employing 2.5 million workers.

How have Latino foods influenced American culture?

Latino foods such as tortilla chips, salsa, tamales, and empanadas have become popular in the U.S., thanks to Latinos preserving and introducing these traditional foods from their countries of origin.

What misconception did the speaker mention about Judge Corriel Gonzalo?

Judge Corriel Gonzalo, who is of Mexican ancestry and from New Jersey, was mistakenly labeled as 'Spanish' by the former president. 'Spanish' refers to people from Spain, while Gonzalo is Hispanic.

How do Hispanic and Latino identities relate to race?

Hispanic and Latino are ethnic terms, not racial categories. Latinos can identify with any race. For example, in the 2012 U.S. Census, 53% of Latinos identified as white, and 37% as some other race.

What did the speaker encourage people to do to prevent incidents like the one in the video?

The speaker encouraged people to educate themselves about Hispanic and Latino experiences, avoid forming biases based on stereotypes, and engage with people from different backgrounds to foster understanding and empathy.