@lisaol, Hispanic is now a self identified group according to the census bureau. That includes Spain.
I miss entomom.
My direct ancestors on both sides of my family were Mexican citizens prior to the founding of the Republic of Texas in 1836, and we have remained in Texas since (we’ve lived in other parts of the country and world, but all were born in and spent most of adult life in Texas) So that’s at least 8 generations born in Texas. There are MANY families here who are part of the original Spanish Land Grants (w Spanish names and some do not - some are very fair skinned and some are more olive skinned - yet are more “hispanic” in their culture than the 2nd generation Mexican American) We feel comfortable Anglo-American culture and the Mexican-American culture. Tho my brother is light brown hair w brown eyes, I am brunette w brown eyes (same parents) How is this determined in the college application world? Yet, currently, we live in a very “white” town in central Texas. This is so confusing to categorize rather than just be. However, I want to present the “side” that helps me get into a competitive university and possible scholarships.
After reading some of the “stories and comments and concerns and responses” of college application committees…it sounds like it’s best to “play-up” my Mexican heritage and not sound so “white”. (tho my name and appearance and currently high school are mostly Anglo) oh, what to do? Thanks for you input.
Re: #182
For situations that do not explicitly give their own definition of what they consider Hispanic or Latino, would you answer yes to either of these questions?
A. Do you self-identify as any Hispanic or Latino ethnicity for purposes other than checking boxes on college applications and the like?
B. Do others commonly identify you as any Hispanic or Latino ethnicity?
RE: #182
A. Partly with traditions and celebrations however that’s not uncommon for Texans
B. No bc I don’t “look it” but Facebook categorized me a Hispanic and say someone in Maine might think my customs are Hispanic…I also seem “more Mexican” than my 1st and 2nd generation Mexician/American friends. (we laugh about it together)
It still seems confusing and “lose” to be considered Hispanic in this region of Texas.
If you can honestly say “yes” to either A or B, then it would be reasonably honest for you to say that you are Hispanic or Latino if you choose to indicate that. Of course, it is really on the honor system in most cases, though NHRP is an exception in having a specific definition for its program: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/scholarships-and-recognition/national-hispanic-recognition-program
DS will be applying to colleges this year. The question of Hispanic origin is a tough one because we have a few cultures in our family. My mother was born and raised in Cuba. She came here at the age of 19 with her family. Here is the catch. My mom’s parents are of Armenian descent. They emigrated to Cuba as refugees of the Genocide by the Turks. They lived there for over 20 years and raised a family (including my mom). Consequently, I was raised in a multi-cultural household…Armenian and Cuban (my dad was non-hispanic though). We ate foods from both cuisines and listened to both Armenian and Cuban music. Both languages were spoken…in fact Spanish more often than Armenian. When my mom was alive, she cared for my son and spoke Spanish to him. Sadly she is now gone along with many from her generation. And sadly, I never really learned Spanish.
The Hispanic aspect of our family is being more watered down now that I have married a non Hispanic. Does that make my son a non-Hispanic? I do realize according to College Board’s definition, he is Hispanic though. We are toying with the idea of identifying DS as hispanic, but I worry that some may think he is too many generations removed.
@WineLover I had a very similar situation to yours. My mom came to US for college from Honduras, met my dad (the “gringo”) and never went home. When my daughter was in high school, my mom found out about the NHRP b/c she saw lots of kids in her TX community getting recognized–lots of Anglo looking kids with nonHispanic names. So, my daughter, who is a really high achiever, got a high PSAT score and qualified for NHRP. We had to take her birth certificate and my birth certificate to her high school counselor to prove she qualified. I think that is why she got in so many colleges b/c it was her hook (besides being a NMF, #1 in class, 35ACT, and writing wonderful essays). It made my mother soooo proud – she felt that all those years of feeling like an outsider had some benefit for her grandchildren. We plan to do the same for my son. Funny, but my brother won’t do it. I say, we didn’t make the rules. If someone determined that 1/4 counts, and we fit, go for it!
Does NHRP get you anything if you’re going to get NMSF too?
My wife’s father was born in Italy and moved to Colombia. Years later, he decided to come to America. I didn’t think much of it, but was looking through his Colombian paperwork (driver license, id etc) and wondered if this qualified my children as Hispanic origin. Any thoughts?
@BCeagle111 If you are referring to College Board’s requirements, then the student must be one quarter Hispanic or Latino, so that would not qualify.
The details of who qualifies are listed here:
https://www.scholarsapply.org/nhrp/instructions.php
Not really concerned about NHRP, just any help with admission to most selective schools. was hoping she qualified as a descendant of an inhabitant.