Latino or Hispanic?

Several years ago, Latino and Hispanic organizations held a conference to discuss the spectrum of individuals moving into the Birmingham area that fit the definition of Latino or Hispanic. They had moved to Alabama from Latin American countries and from different parts of the U.S. Some were native Spanish speakers, some spoke indigenous languages, others spoke English and some spoke several languages. The opinions about the terms were as diverse as the people at the conference. An article in the Boston Globe captures the debate about the terms. http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/01/25/latino_hispanic_which_is_it/.

Because a number of people work in situations where they have to give statistics, they need to know what term to use. I try to encourage them to use the terms that the federal government requires for statistical purposes, but they should understand that individuals and groups of individuals do not necessarily agree with these terms. If at all possible, take the time to build a relationship and understand what an individual prefers to be called which is probably just his or her name. On the other hand, understand that sometimes people live by cultural norms and similarities that extend beyond the individual. At times they may be linked to a group. This does not mean that we should stereotype people or hold them to fixed concepts, but understand and value the uniqueness that they bring into our lives and workplaces.

Fiesta in Birmingham, AL on Last Saturday

In the late '90's, the editor of the Birmingham Weekly, asked a number of us to predict what Birmingham would be like in the year 2020. One prediction I made was that Birmingham would be home to a lot more Spanish speakers and English speaking people of Hispanic/Latino descent. Fiesta, an event that has grown astronomically, is just one indication of the demographic shifts taking place in Birmingham. There were people representing the U.S. and a number of Latin American countries as a concluding event to Hispanic Heritage Month.

Food for thought: Which term is appropriate--Latino or Hispanic? Stay tuned for the next entry...

Tara White Bio

Tara Y. White is currently a doctoral candidate (ABD) in public history at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. Her dissertation topic examines the roles of African American women’s organizations in preserving historic sites. Tara’s research fields include public history, Southern history, and African American women’s history. Her broad museum experience includes work in museum administration, visitor services, interpretation, and collections management.

Tara taught courses in American social history, historical research, and class, race and gender at the Cooperstown Graduate Program during the 2007-08 academic year. She was formerly the site director for the Alabama State Capitol, as well as the Montgomery Greyhound Bus Station, both managed by the Alabama Historical Commission in Montgomery. Since 1994, she has worked with a number of history museums and historic sites in various capacities. Those institutions include the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH), the National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African American Culture at Alabama State University, National Museum of American History, Genesee Country Village and Museum, The History Channel, Heritage Philadelphia, Heritage New York, Sloss Furnaces, and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. She is a graduate of UAB and the Cooperstown Graduate Program in history museum studies at SUNY Oneonta. Tara holds memberships in various regional and national professional associations.