Introduction to Hispanic People and Culture Webster’s definition of the word Hispanic is “of, relating to, or being a person of Latin American descent and especially of Cuban, Mexican, or Puerto Rican origin living in the U.S.” However, being of Hispanic origin is so much more. A person from Mexico would be considered both Hispanic and Latino. However, someone from Brazil would be considered Latino, but would not be considered Hispanic because their culture and language derive from Portugal rather than Spain. Despite having two different meanings, the U.S. government uses the two terms synonymously and interchangeably, as does the media and many other sources of information.
According to the CDC’s “Cultural Insights: Communicating with Hispanics/Latinos” the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau population estimated about 46.9 million Hispanics live in the United States (representing 15% of the total U.S. population). Among Hispanic subgroups, Mexicans ranks as the largest (66%) followed by Central and South Americans (13%), Puerto Ricans (9.4%), Cubans (3.9%), and people of other Hispanic origins (7.5%). Hispanics/Latinos are a fast-growing, diverse population in the United States. With their growth surging nearly 58% from 1990 to 2000, Hispanics/Latinos have more than four times the growth rate of the U.S. population (U.S. Census, 2008a). It is therefore important for our Career Solutions staff to know and understand our Hispanic and Latino neighbors so we can serve them well.
2
