Difference Between Chicano and Latino

Ethnicity is a sensitive and emotionally charged topic and different political issues are involved with labeling. This makes the choice of appropriate terminology to a certain ethnic group difficult   very important.

Chicano and Latino are two partially overlapping terms, but there is a significant difference between them. While Chicano is a chosen identity of some Mexican Americans in the United States, the term Latino is officially adopted by the Government of the United States and describes a person born in or with ancestors from Latin America.

Who are Chicano?

Chicano is a chosen identity of some Mexican Americans in the United States. The term refers to people, having Mexican parents or grandparents but born in the United States. The people that are born in Mexico and have moved to the United States refer to themselves as Mexicans, not as Chicanos.

The term is used by Mexican American descendants to express pride in a shared ethnic, cultural, and community identity. However, some of the more conservative members of this community perceive it negatively.

In different parts of the United States, the term has different meanings and is sometimes used interchangeably with the term Mexican-American. 

Chicanos are one of the largest ethnic minority groups in the United States. They have a well-recognized impact on the country, especially in the Southwest. The Chicano population is constantly changing. Some researchers, analyzing this change, argue that the group is becoming less and less distinctive from other ethnic groups and in the future, the Chicanos will be integrated into the larger society. However, the constant immigration from Mexico hinders this process.

The term became popular with the rise of the so-called Chicano movement of the 1960s. The focus of the movement was the ethnic consciousness and its main goal was to preserve the language, historical, and cultural roots of the minority.

There is no consensus on the origin of the word “Chicano”. Some claim that the term originates from Chichimecas – the indigenous population of Guanajuato, combined with the word Mexicano. Another hypothesis is that it is just a shortened form of the word Mexicano.

Who are Latino?

Latino is a person born in or with ancestors from Latin America, living in the United States. According to some definitions, people living in Latin America are also Latinos. Latino does not include the people from Europe, speaking Romance languages (Italians, Spaniards), and according to some definitions, it also excludes Spanish speakers from the Caribbean.

In 1997 the Government of the United States officially adopted the term Latino in the ethnonym “Hispanic or Latino”. This term replaces the used until then term Hispanic.

The term Latino is very popular, but still highly debated. Some Latin American researchers disagree with the mass media use of the term as it is misleading and generalizing.

The word Latino originates from the shortened form of the Spanish word Latinoamericano, which means a Latin American.

Difference Between Chicano and Latino

Definition

Chicano: Chicano is a person, having Mexican parents or grandparents but born in the United States.

Latino: Latino is a person born in or with ancestors from Latin America.

Use of the term

Chicano: Chicano is a chosen identity of some Mexican Americans in the United States.

Latino: The term Latino is officially adopted by the Government of the United States in the ethnonym “Hispanic or Latino”.

Etymology

Chicano: The term Chicano originates from Chichimecas – the indigenous population of Guanajuato, combined with the word Mexicano or it may just be shortened form of Mexicano.

Latino: The word Latino originates from the shortened form of the Spanish word Latinoamericano, which means a Latin American.

Recognition

Chicano: Chicanos are recognized as a cultural group, but the term is not accepted officially.

Latino: The term Latino is officially recognized.

Chicano vs. Latino: Comparison Chart

Summary of Chicano vs Latino:

• Chicano is a person, having Mexican parents or grandparents but born in the United States.
• Latino is a person born in or with ancestors from Latin America.
• Chicano is a chosen identity of some Mexican Americans in the United States. The term Latino is officially adopted by the Government of the United States.
• The term Chicano originates from Chichimecas – the indigenous population of Guanajuato, combined with the word Mexicano or is a shortened form of Mexicano. The word Latino originates from the shortened form of the Spanish word Latinoamericano, which means a Latin American.
• Chicanos are recognized as a cultural group, but the term is not accepted officially. The term Latino is officially recognized by the government of the United States.

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