This is for all the Latinas who have been called “Spanish."

As a Latina, it is very common to be mislabeled by people who simply don’t understand the historical origin behind specific labels and how labeling a Hispanic person as being “Spanish” can be offensive in many ways.

Here is a simple breakdown of these common labels and how to appropriately use them as identifiers:

1. Hispanic

If you are Hispanic, you come from a Spanish speaking country.

The term Hispanic focuses on the use of Spanish in the country you originate from. This means that Brazilians, for example, are not Hispanic because they speak Portuguese. On the other hand, because Spanish is spoken in Spain, Spaniards are Hispanic.

2. Spanish

If you are Spanish, you are from Spain.

Spanish and Spaniard are terms used to describe those who identify their origins from Spain—the European country. Only those who identify their origins with Spain are considered Spanish.

3. If you are Latino, you come from a Latin American country.

The term Latino takes a more focused look at the geographical context of an area. Brazilians are included in this category because they are located in what is considered Latin America. Spaniards are not included in this category because Spain is in Europe—not Latin America. Arguably, this means that people from Caribbean islands and territories can also be considered Latino because they also are in the same geographical region.

Here are a few reasons why calling a Hispanic or Latino “Spanish” can be offensive:

1. Colonization

What many people fail to recognize is the history many Latin countries share with Spain via colonization. The Encyclopedia Britannica states, “The peoples of this large area [Latin America] shared the experience of conquest and colonization by the Spaniards and Portuguese from the late 15th through the 18th century as well as movements of independence from Spain and Portugal in the early 19th century.” Calling a Latino “Spanish” therefore completely disregards cherished revolutionary movements towards independence by many Latin American countries. It completely disregards the wiping of many native tribes by diseases, rape, and all-out war.

Would you call an American, English?

No?

So, don’t call a Hispanic or Latino, Spanish.