Labels and Names (Pg 12)

"We often use labels and names to refer to ourselves and other people. Researchers have examined racial or ethnic identity labels and the meanings associated with them according to the ethnic members. Labels for various ethnic groups have been examined, such as African American, Black, Afro American (Hecht, Collier, Ribeau 1993), Hispanic, Latina/Latino, Chicana/Chicano, Mexican American (Tanno 2003), Whiteness (Nakayama and Krizek 1995). The politically correct term Native America is commonly used. Many, however identify themselves as American Indians, Indians, Nations and Tribes. The term Asian American is preferred and often used and has replaced the label Oriental".


Everyone one of us identifies ourselves differently depending on our culture and our race. For example my parents are Central American but they can also identify themselves as Honduran or Salvadorian. Also I can identify myself as American because I was born in the U.S, or I can also identify myself as Hispanic, Latina or even Central American due to my parent background. I do not mind being labeled these things because that is who I am and I am proud of my heritage. I do not like being labeled Mexican because I am not Mexican at all. People think that just because I have a tan complexion that I am Mexican. I have nothing against the Mexican race, but it just bothers me that some people are so ignorant and just assume that because I have brown skin that automatically makes me Mexican. Before I jump to conclusions about a persons race or ethnicity, I always like to ask them where they are from instead of just assuming or trying to guess where they are from or what ethnicity they label themselves as. I decided to put up three flags that I use to label myself. The Honduran flag, the Salvadorian flag and the American flag. What do you label yourselves as?