#WhatLatinoMeansToMe: This Is How Latinos In America Actually Identify

*There’s a back story here (there always is). I’m tapped-out with “Hispanic Heritage Month.” Every year, when September 15th comes around, marketers and media roll out their old ideas, dust them off, and re-purpose them for this year’s celebration. There’s rarely something new to be enthusiastic about. I  spoke to BuzzFeed’s Adrian Carrasquillo last week when I saw him at a Voto Latino conference in San Antonio, TX. He told me of their plans for “Hispanic Heritage” coverage and I immediately recognized something new. He said he’d send me a link when they published, here it is. VL

buzzfeedBy BuzzFeed

This Hispanic Heritage Month, instead of tired attempts to lump together such a diverse community from many different backgrounds, we thought it would be great to see Latinos across the country self-identify, let us know where they come from and what their culture means to them.

1. Chloe Santos, Puerto Rican, 10, Harlem, NY.

Chloe Santos, Puerto Rican, 10, Harlem, NY.

Julia Furlan / BuzzFeed

2. Julio Salgado, Mexicano, Berkeley, California.

Julio Salgado, Mexicano, Berkeley, California.

Julio Salgado

3. Rosario Dawson in San Antonio, Texas.

Rosario Dawson in San Antonio, Texas.

Jessica Reeves/Voto Latino

4. Eugenio Herrera, 46, Mexicano, Harlem, NY.

Eugenio Herrera, 46, Mexicano, Harlem, NY.

Julia Furlan / BuzzFeed

“Soy de origen Mexicano. Ser Latino es un ORGULLO. Compartimos una hermandad con una cultura muy rica.”

“I am of Mexican origin. I’m proud to be Latino. We share a brotherhood with a very rich culture.”

5. Edith Valle, 20, Mexican-American, San Antonio, Texas.

Edith Valle, 20, Mexican-American, San Antonio, Texas.

Adrian Carrasquillo/BuzzFeed

6. Micah Singleton, Knoxville, Tennessee.

Micah Singleton, Knoxville, Tennessee.

Micah Singleton

7. Leo, Brazilan/ Ecuadorian, Los Angeles.

Leo, Brazilan/ Ecuadorian, Los Angeles.

Macey J. Foronda/ BuzzFeed

8. Jessica, Mexican, Los Angeles.

Jessica, Mexican, Los Angeles.

Macey J. Foronda/ BuzzFeed

9. Genesis Rodriguez, Cuban/Venezuelan, Miami, Florida.

Genesis Rodriguez, Cuban/Venezuelan, Miami, Florida.

Jessica Lima/BuzzFeed

“It means I’m lighter in the winter and darker in the summer. It means we can speakreally fast.”

10. Porfiria Suarez, Mexicana, Harlem, NY.

Porfiria Suarez, Mexicana, Harlem, NY.

Julia Furlan / BuzzFeed

“Being part of a group that speaks Spanish.”

11. Kimberly Ibarra, 19, Mexican, Laredo, Texas.

Kimberly Ibarra, 19, Mexican, Laredo, Texas.

Adrian Carrasquillo/BuzzFeed

“The border is my patio and the community that inspires me.”

12. Gina Rodriguez, Puerto Rican, Los Angeles.

Gina Rodriguez, Puerto Rican, Los Angeles.

Gina Rodriguez

13. Sara Ines-Calderon, Austin, Texas.

Sara Ines-Calderon, Austin, Texas.

Sara Ines-Calderon

14. Sandra Garcia, Dominicana, New York City.

Sandra Garcia, Dominicana, New York City.

Sandra Garcia

15. Denise Moreno, 22, Mexican, Houston, Texas.

Denise Moreno, 22, Mexican, Houston, Texas.

Adrian Carrasquillo/BuzzFeed

16. J. Balvin, Colombian, New York City.

J. Balvin, Colombian, New York City.

Jessica Lima/BuzzFeed

17. Katrina Arsola, 24, Chicana, San Antonio, Texas.

Katrina Arsola, 24, Chicana, San Antonio, Texas.

Adrian Carrasquillo/BuzzFeed

“My culture is split — Mexican blood and American traditions.”

18. Kelly, Salvadoran, Los Angeles.

Kelly, Salvadoran, Los Angeles.

Macey J. Foronda/ BuzzFeed

19. Maria, Guatemalan/Mayan, Los Angeles.

Maria, Guatemalan/Mayan, Los Angeles.

Macey J. Foronda/ BuzzFeed

20. Viannca Velez, 26, Puerto Rican/Latina, New Jersey.

Viannca Velez, 26, Puerto Rican/Latina, New Jersey.

Adrian Carrasquillo/BuzzFeed

21. Julian Alcazar, Latino/Mexican, Washington D.C.

Julian Alcazar, Latino/Mexican, Washington D.C.

Adrian Carrasquillo/BuzzFeed

“I am Latino. I am Mexican. I am the son of immigrants. I am living the American Dream.”

22. Kim, Mexican/Puerto-Rican, Los Angeles.

Kim, Mexican/Puerto-Rican, Los Angeles.

Macey J. Foronda/ BuzzFeed

23. Diane, Guatemalan, Los Angeles.

Diane, Guatemalan, Los Angeles.

Macey J. Foronda/ BuzzFeed

24. Maria Rubio, 27, Salvadoran, Harlem, NY.

Maria Rubio, 27, Salvadoran, Harlem, NY.

Julia Furlan / BuzzFeed

“For me it’s an immense pride being Salavadoran. I love my country and I love being part of the Latino family. I love the food, the culture, it all makes me proud of my race.”

25. Abigail, Mexican, Los Angeles.

Abigail, Mexican, Los Angeles.

Macey J. Foronda/ BuzzFeed

26. Ryan Ibarra, 24, San Antonio, Texas.

Ryan Ibarra, 24, San Antonio, Texas.

Adrian Carrasquillo/BuzzFeed

“I may not speak Spanish but my values, my passion and who I am has stemmed from my HERITAGE.”

27. Cynthia Amaya, 22, Mexican-American, El Paso, Texas.

Cynthia Amaya, 22, Mexican-American, El Paso, Texas.

Cynthia Amaya

28. Maty Herrera, 46, Mexicana, Harlem, NY.

Maty Herrera, 46, Mexicana, Harlem, NY.

Julia Furlan / BuzzFeed

“Proudly a Latina. It’s a culture with very important values.”

29. Ana Cardona, 20, Chicana/Mexicana, Texas A&M University.

Ana Cardona, 20, Chicana/Mexicana, Texas A&M University.

Adrian Carrasquillo/BuzzFeed

“My culture is Tejano music, Vicente Fernandez, multifaceted and BEAUTIFUL.”

30. Gabriel Caro, Puerto Rican, Massachusetts.

Gabriel Caro, Puerto Rican, Massachusetts.

Gabriel Caro

31. Franceska Medina, 21, Boricua, Harlem, NY.

Franceska Medina, 21, Boricua, Harlem, NY.

Julia Furlan / BuzzFeed

“Latino means to me different and happy people who are happy with themselves in and out. No matter how different we are in looks or color.”

32. Caroline Arroyo, 24, Latina/Puerto Rican & Colombian, San Antonio, Texas.

Caroline Arroyo, 24, Latina/Puerto Rican & Colombian, San Antonio, Texas.

Adrian Carrasquillo/BuzzFeed

“My culture is not a ‘flavor of the week’ it’s my everyday.”

33. Sylvia Guevara, 21, Chicana, San Antonio, Texas.

Sylvia Guevara, 21, Chicana, San Antonio, Texas.

Adrian Carrasquillo/BuzzFeed

“Not from here, or from there, because I’m Chicana.”

34. Christian, Mexican, Los Angeles.

Christian, Mexican, Los Angeles.

Macey J. Foronda/ BuzzFeed

“Hard working.”

35. Juan Vazquez, 26, Colombiano/Latino, San Antonio, Texas.

Juan Vazquez, 26, Colombiano/Latino, San Antonio, Texas.

Adrian Carrasquillo/BuzzFeed

36. Maria Samaniego, Latina, Mexican, Panamanian, American.

Maria Samaniego, Latina, Mexican, Panamanian, American.

Adrian Carrasquillo/BuzzFeed

37. Yolanda, Salvadoran, Los Angeles.

Yolanda, Salvadoran, Los Angeles.

Macey J. Foronda/ BuzzFeed

38. Adiel Polanco Tejada, 20, Dominicano, Harlem, NY.

Adiel Polanco Tejada, 20, Dominicano, Harlem, NY.

Julia Furlan / BuzzFeed

“Soy Dominicano. Ser Latino es un orgullo por que son todos de un mismo sentir.”

I’m Dominican. I’m proud to be Latino because we are of the same mind.

39. Emilio Rizzo, 61, Harlem, NY.

Emilio Rizzo, 61, Harlem, NY.

Julia Furlan / BuzzFeed

40. Jesus, Mexican, Los Angeles.

Jesus, Mexican, Los Angeles.

Macey J. Foronda/ BuzzFeed

41. Angel, Mexican, Los Angeles.

Angel, Mexican, Los Angeles.

Macey J. Foronda/ BuzzFeed

42. Michelle Hernandez, 32, Hispanic, San Antonio.

Michelle Hernandez, 32, Hispanic, San Antonio.

Adrian Carrasquillo/BuzzFeed

43. Migna Rodriguez, Nuyorican, Harlem, NY.

Migna Rodriguez, Nuyorican, Harlem, NY.

Julia Furlan / BuzzFeed

“Latino means we are united.”

44. Johana Carrizales, 20, St. Edwards University.

Johana Carrizales, 20, St. Edwards University.

Adrian Carrasquillo/BuzzFeed

45. Krystalee Torrens, 19, Boricua, Harlem, NY.

Krystalee Torrens, 19, Boricua, Harlem, NY.

Julia Furlan / BuzzFeed

“I’m Puerto Rican, I’m proud.”

46. Jonathan, Mexican, Los Angeles.

Jonathan, Mexican, Los Angeles.

Macey J. Foronda/ BuzzFeed

“Sticking together.”

47. Margarita Ayala, 64, Mexicana, Harlem, NY.

Margarita Ayala, 64, Mexicana, Harlem, NY.

Julia Furlan / BuzzFeed

“Being Latino means giving a lot of importance to family and hard work.”

48. Crystal DeLeon, 19, Spanish, San Antonio, Texas.

Crystal DeLeon, 19, Spanish, San Antonio, Texas.

Adrian Carrasquillo/BuzzFeed

49. Oscar Santos, 39, Puerto Rican, Harlem, NY.

Oscar Santos, 39, Puerto Rican, Harlem, NY.

Julia Furlan / BuzzFeed

50. Josie Gutierrez, 46, San Antonio, Texas.

Josie Gutierrez, 46, San Antonio, Texas.

Adrian Carrasquillo/BuzzFeed

51. Alex, Mexican, Los Angeles.

Alex, Mexican, Los Angeles.

Macey J. Foronda/ BuzzFeed

52. Mariana Zamora, 19, Latina, San Antonio, Texas.

Mariana Zamora, 19, Latina, San Antonio, Texas.

Adrian Carrasquillo/BuzzFeed

53. Rodrigo, Salvadoran, Los Angeles.

Rodrigo, Salvadoran, Los Angeles.

Macey J. Foronda/ BuzzFeed

54. Andrea Madeleine Medina, 21, Mexican-American from San Antonio, Texas.

Andrea Madeleine Medina, 21, Mexican-American from San Antonio, Texas.

Adrian Carrasquillo/BuzzFeed

55. Ivette Davila-Richards, Puerto Rican, New York City.

Ivette Davila-Richards, Puerto Rican, New York City.

Ivette Davila-Richards

“I am Puerto Rican! As a Hispanic I embrace my Spanish language; culture; music; history and its cuisine. By Honoring it daily, I let others know about it. If I succeed, so do they!”

56. Priscilla Gonzalez, 26, Dominican/Puerto Rican/New Yorker, Harlem, NY.

Priscilla Gonzalez, 26, Dominican/Puerto Rican/New Yorker, Harlem, NY.

Julia Furlan / BuzzFeed

57. Karina Saucedo, 20, Mexican-American, San Antonio, Texas.

Karina Saucedo, 20, Mexican-American, San Antonio, Texas.

Adrian Carrasquillo/BuzzFeed

58. Daniel, Mexican/ Argentine, Los Angeles.

Daniel, Mexican/ Argentine, Los Angeles.

Macey J. Foronda/ BuzzFeed

59. Alana Zamora, 19, Hispanic, San Antonio, Texas.

Alana Zamora, 19, Hispanic, San Antonio, Texas.

Adrian Carrasquillo/BuzzFeed

60. I’m Jose Luis Maldonado, Puerto Rican, from Connecticut.

I'm Jose Luis Maldonado, Puerto Rican, from Connecticut.

Adrian Carrasquillo/BuzzFeed

61. Gustavo Arellano, Latino/Chicano/Mexican-American, Orange County, California.

Gustavo’s full comment.

Gustavo's full comment.

Gustavo Arellano

This article was originally published in BuzzFeed.

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