Does being Portuguese mean I can check the Hispanic box?

A227227 · 06-28-2012, 12:09 PM

I know on the common app it says it includes Spain as Hispanic. Since Portugal and Spain are both on the Iberian peninsula does that mean being Portuguese counts as being Hispanic as well?

entomom · 06-28-2012, 12:28 PM

Portuguese?

ezgranet · 06-28-2012, 12:48 PM

Yes

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entomom · 06-28-2012, 12:56 PM

^What are your sources?

I'd really like to know as this question is asked occasionally and the evidence I've seen (NHRP & the CA) shows otherwise.

ezgranet · 07-01-2012, 10:31 PM

The box on the common app preview for 2012-2013 says "Hispanic/Latino including Spain". Although someone of Portuguese descent is NOT Hispanic, they are Latino by general definition. The CA at least requires an explanation of background after checking the box, so checking it is not duplicitous. I should have expanded on this in my last post, but as Hispanic is universally paired with Latino, the Hispanic box will actually be written as "Hispanic/Latino" on most apps. Since CA schools will see the explanation of background, you may not recieve admissions preferences, but since you are an inhabitant of the US of Iberian descent , there is nothing wrong with checking any box that says "Hispanic/Latino" though NOT a box that only says "Hispanic".

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entomom · 07-01-2012, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Although someone of Portuguese descent is NOT Hispanic, they are Latino by general definition.

Incorrect, the definition of Latino:

Latino - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Quote:

Definition of LATINO
1
: a native or inhabitant of Latin America
2
: a person of Latin-American origin living in the United States

Leading to a definition of Latin America:

Latin america - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Quote:

Definition of LATIN AMERICA
1
Spanish America & Brazil
2
all of the Americas S of the United States

In addition, the footnote for this US Census report (US Census definitions are used for college admissions purposes):

http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/acsbr10-15.pdf

Quote:

The term Latin America and the Caribbean includes countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean.

While there is a gray area for Brazilians, I have seen no evidence that students with origins from Portugal, not via Brazil, are considered Hispanic/Latino for college admissions purposes.

entomom · 07-01-2012, 11:17 PM

And at the risk of kicking a dead horse, once again, the official US Census bureau definition of Hispanic/Latino:

Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin, percent, 2010 (b)

Quote:

Hispanics or Latinos are those people who classified themselves in one of the specific Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino categories listed on the Census 2010 questionnaire -"Mexican," "Puerto Rican", or "Cuban"-as well as those who indicate that they are "another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin." People who do not identify with one of the specific origins listed on the questionnaire but indicate that they are "another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin" are those whose origins are from Spain, the Spanish-speaking countries of Central or South America, or the Dominican Republic. The terms "Hispanic," "Latino," and "Spanish" are used interchangeably.

ezgranet · 07-01-2012, 11:57 PM

@Entomom You're right that most Americans would consider Latin American not to refer to Portuguese people. But, as OP is of Latin heritage (google Latin Union) lives in America, he can legitimately call himself a Latin American IF and ONLY IF he explains his position. I agree 100% that most colleges would not consider OP as a "diversity" candidate, but he has a right to describe himself as thus as long as he explains himself. You brought up the census, but remember that the Census asks people to describe how they view themselves (e.g. in 2010 Census Bureau officials said to press nothing was wrong with gay couples in states w/o gay marriage describing themselves as married).

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ezgranet · 07-01-2012, 11:58 PM

@Entomom I think we totally agree though that most colleges after reading Ops description of his background will not consider him Hispanic/Latino.

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ezgranet · 07-02-2012, 12:02 AM

This is now just me being a little silly, but due to the Iberian Union, OP's ancestors almost certainly lived under a Spanish king, so OP could also technically claim to be Spanish....

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entomom · 07-02-2012, 12:06 AM

Quote:

You're right that most Americans would consider Latin American not to refer to Portuguese people. But, as OP is of Latin heritage (google Latin Union) lives in America, he can legitimately call himself a Latin American IF and ONLY IF he explains his position.

I'm not saying anything about 'most Americans' and the Latin Union is immaterial. What counts is the definition used by colleges, which is the US Census.

Quote:

You brought up the census, but remember that the Census asks people to describe how they view themselves

Yes, and so do college admissions, using the US Census definitions of race and ethnicity.

mokusatsu · 07-03-2012, 12:20 PM

Quote:

This is now just me being a little silly, but due to the Iberian Union, OP's ancestors almost certainly lived under a Spanish king, so OP could also technically claim to be Spanish....

So could applicants with Dutch or Italian ancestors.

asnooni · 07-17-2012, 06:50 PM

The transliteration of Hispania is Spain and Hispanic means Spanish, historically and logically referring to Hispania (Spain). It was introduced in the English language during the Iberian Union. Anyone with descendants from Hispania (Spain) would be hispanic, but this may be politically contentious.