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Chicano, Latino, Hispanic. Does it really matter?

Submitted by Victorres on Thu, 06/21/2007 - 14:44.

A few days ago I was waiting for the Metro when I overheard a young male speaking Spanish. I approached him for a short conversation.

He told me that I looked “Chicana”?. For those of you who do not know, a lot of times calling a Hispanic “Chicano”? can be offensive. “Chicano”? pertains to Mexican Americans, but in Mexico the term can signify a person of low-class and poor morals.

Referring to someone as "Chicano," doesn't happen very often at home (El Paso, Texas) because over 75 percent of the people are Hispanic.

That was the first time I had ever been referred to as a "Chicana."

No offense to those who are not bothered by being called Chicanos, but to be safe, when referring to an American of Mexican descent, use the term Mexican American instead.

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WTF!?

Submitted by Too Papi (not verified) on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 15:17.

Some people have a hang up about petty crap like this. I for one am proud of being a chicano, mexican american and just an american. Since I am not from a border town like El Paso, TX where I am from being a Chicano signifies a struggle of mexicans already living here way before this chicks parents swam across. Soy Mexicano, Chicano lo que sea cabrones! What is up with all the advertisements for gay latin dudes??

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