Eric GarciaVerified account

So I will admit ignorance and need some input. What would be the proper term to use? Are both acceptable? Someone who is black Someone who is African American I only ask because I hate with a passion the term Hispanic and would hate to subject someone else to that feeling.

I promise I'm not trying to provoke you, but may I ask why you hate the term Hispanic? I'm from the South Bronx and have many close friends who are Latino and I've never heard that before. I mean no offense and I don't consider you obligated to answer.

"OMB defines "Hispanic or Latino" as a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race." To me it's like a catch all term that doesn't really say anything about me.

That's perfectly reasonable. Do you have a preferred term? (As a strong personal policy, I avoid thinking about or referring to a person's ethnicity unless there's a very specific contextual reason to do so. I ask in an effort to avoid possible offense in the future.) /1

For instance, I despise being called "Caucasian," as the origin of this term is deeply rooted in white supremacy. I prefer to be called a white American if there is any reason to refer to my ethnicity at all. Also, I just read your profile--thank you for your service, Marine!