Latinos, Wrongly Viewed as Ethnic Monoliths

Latinos are often categorized in one group, as if they think and act the same. That's far from the truth. From different countries and different ethical influences, yet they are classed into monoliths

The Worlds Most Diverse Region

17 Countries make up Latin America. Modern day Latin American countries are diverse with many different ethnicities. The inhabitants of Latin America are from a variety of ancestry. Making the region, if not, the most diverse in the world. To simplify it, we’ll look into the 3 most well-known ethnic groups that make up the region. Indigenous (native) Americans, those who originally inhabited the land. Western Europeans, which languages are spoken throughout Latin America. Central and Western Africans brought many seeds for plants used in medicine at the time, and planted foods that influenced many dishes of today. 

Each group has a strong undeniable influence throughout Latin America. Depending on the country, in some cases the location, each country you will see more of one ethic group influence than the others. Culture is one thing that people carry with them through generations. Genetics is another (I'll touch more on this topic another time) but what is most often not spoken about is food. Food is something that is often overlooked. With all these different cultural influences it’s wrong to some up all Latinos as one. Different regions of Latin America produce different foods. Through recipes you can tell which ethnic group had the most influence. People don't change their traditional foods. We grow accustomed to what we like to eat, then pass it down to the next generation. For example, Paraguay cuisine is influenced by the Indigenous Guarani people, combined with Spanish cuisine also Italian and German. Dominican Republic cuisine is influenced by African, Spanish, Taino Natives and modern Caribbean. It's not just the influences of the food, but the cultures who brought it. Sticking with these two countries as examples. Dominican Republic has more African decent, and Paraguay has more Native American decent. The two respected countries are different in their own right. The influences make a difference from music preferences to traditions and overall looks. So, they're not all thinking and operating the same, just because they are Latinos.  

We don't say that all Asians are the same or think to describe their foods and cultures as the same. China and India are both part of Asia and speak different languages.  

We don’t say that all Europeans are the same. Take Italians and Irish, they are very proud of their cultures. Italians are known for pizza and fashion. Irish are known for literature and whiskey. 

As for the most part none of those cultures are mixed as Latinos are, or have as many different cultural influences, but why are Latinos often seen as monoliths? The only thing I say that is the same about Latinos is that they are a very loving people. 

Mexicans are more known to North Americans, because they are also part of North America. A one-of-a-kind culture with its own rich history. Different they are from the people of Dominican Republic aka DR. The people of DR have their own flavor, most intriguing history. Dominicans are near enough to neighboring Cuba, but Cubans are like no one you’ve ever met. Most resilient people are from Cuba. Different from all are the people of Bolivia. Bolivians do not equate their nationality with ethnicity, Its with citizenship and allegiance to Bolivia. Also, Bolivians speak 34 other indigenous languages, including Spanish. Argentina is known to the world for soccer, but there’s so much more to this country. Argentines have a strong European influence. Brazil, some say is not part of Latin America because they speak Portuguese. Brazil to is a soccer country, but their main influence is of African descent as most are mixed. Costa Rica and Panama, separated by a border, yet both accents are different. The feel you get being in these Central American countries is unmatched. Colombia is the best example of a diverse country. Not only climate wise is Colombia diverse, but the ethicalities are also. Is why Colombians welcome everyone with open arms. So much more, like Ecuador, El Salvador, Chile, Venezuela, Uruguay, Nicaragua, Guatemala, all unique in their own kinda way. 

All those from Latin American countries speak with a different accent and have different ideologies, different beliefs, their own thoughts. Enjoy different music, art, foods, etc.… I'm not trying to create a divider, but just recognizing these great Countries. We’re going to continue to call the people of Latin America Latinos/Latinas but let's not view them as monoliths.