Does Guyana count as Latino?

[Joobaroo96]

Hi all,

I was looking through the AMCAS and was wondering if having Guyanese heritage qualifies me as Latino? On the AMACAS definition of Latino, it says that any country in South America fits the category. My school (a HYP) also recommends Latino clubs and such if you go into their world finder and say you are Guyanese.

However, Guyana is usually classified as a Caribbean country, but I just don't feel comfortable checking off African Americans and then specifying Guyana in the Caribbean area. I just thought that since Latino is more of a cultural thing, not an ethnicity thing, it would be more appropriate? From other posts here, I understand that you can be Latino but be any race?

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[Moko]

I was looking through the AMCAS and was wondering if having Guyanese heritage qualifies me as Latino. On the AMACAS definition of Latino, it says that any country in South America fits the category. My school also recommends Latino clubs and such if you go into their world finder and say you are Guyanese. However, Guyana is usually classified as a Caribbean country, but I just don't feel comfortable checking off African Americans and then specifying Guyana in the Caribbean area. I just thought that since Latino is more of a cultural thing, not an ethnicity thing, it would be more appropriate? From other posts here, I understand that you can be Latino but be any race?

Do you personally self-identify as being Latino? That should give you your answer. I would not go by what your school's world finder says.

My (very basic) understanding is that Guyana is an English-speaking country more closely associated with the Caribbean rather than Latin America. If none of the options apply well to you, you can always select "Other" as your race/ethnicity and then specify "Guyanese"

 

[Joobaroo96]

Thank you for the response. To be honest, I don't even know what it means to be Latino. Is it just a moniker to identify people who just speak Spanish? I thought that's what Hispanic was for. AMCAS just lists a few countries and states Central or South America. Guyana has had very similar struggles to the other countries in the region that do speak Spanish. The food and culture in the region are similar to the neighboring Brazil and Venezuela too. Its honestly like how cultures from coastal areas in countries differ from the ones inland - on the coast, you get more fish, and most people in Guyana live on the coast. Countries like Cuba and the DR are Latino and Caribbean. However, there is a strong cultural influence from many groups in Guyana, as the British brought slaves/laborers from several regions. Does the oppressing country have the say on what's Latino and not, so Spain and Portugal Vs. Britain and the Netherlands?

I personally self-identify as part Guyanese, but I don't know if that falls into the Latino group and that's why I asked. It's like if I asked if being Venezuelan counts as Latino - you'd have an answer for that. I'm sure people with discreet origins from South American and Central American countries identify with their origin country more than being Latino. I'm just not sure about Guyana because its usually in the limelight and not really talked about, as it's one of the least populated countries in the area and finding people from it is rare. Lots of people don't even know it exists. If it was as simple as speaking Spanish, I'd know the answer. However, countries like Brazil are included too, so I'm not sure.

I know its Caribbean, but that doesn't really mean its not Latino. They are both cultures. It's just a question that's not asked very often about Guyana. The only place to put the Caribbean is under African American, and I am not racially African American. I guess putting other works. Would it be wrong to put Latino and specify Guyana there? I don't know if that's more representative.

Sorry if I came across as a little emphatic. I just think it's frustrating to get a question response to my question. I'm not sure if what I identify counts as Latino, because its really never a question I asked myself properly until looking at the AMCAS. I think when I applied to undergrad I checked it off, but I knew even less about it back then.

 

[LizzyM]

Did you (and/or your parents) participate in the US Census in 2010? If yes, what did you list as your race and ethnicity? Either way, what will you list on April 1, 2020 if you are in the US that day? How would you self-identify?

 

[candbgirl]

Thank you for the response. To be honest, I don't even know what it means to be Latino. Is it just a moniker to identify people who just speak Spanish? I thought that's what Hispanic was for...

Amazing. Do you really think that?
I’m sorry you are upset that responders asked you questions . This frequently happens on SDN. Sometimes this is the best(only) way to give you clear and precise answers. Most Responders really don’t want to give erroneous information.

 

[Dr panda]

There is nothing wrong with identifying as Latino, the question is - are you doing it to get benefits in med school admissions? If you don’t plan to serve the Hispanic community, then maybe you should not do it.

 

[Goro]

Hi all,

I was looking through the AMCAS and was wondering if having Guyanese heritage qualifies me as Latino? On the AMACAS definition of Latino, it says that any country in South America fits the category. My school (a HYP) also recommends Latino clubs and such if you go into their world finder and say you are Guyanese.

However, Guyana is usually classified as a Caribbean country, but I just don't feel comfortable checking off African Americans and then specifying Guyana in the Caribbean area. I just thought that since Latino is more of a cultural thing, not an ethnicity thing, it would be more appropriate? From other posts here, I understand that you can be Latino but be any race?

Afro-Caribbean, NOT Hispanic.

Guyana is a former English colony, FYI.

 

[Engrailed]

Afro-Caribbean, NOT Hispanic.

Guyana is a former English colony, FYI.

This.

 

[deleted927529]

"Latin America" as a concept was invented to describe the parts of the New World that were colonized by Spain, Portugal, or France. Guyana does not fit this definition.

 

[LizzyM]

"Latin America" as a concept was invented to describe the parts of the New World that were colonized by Spain, Portugal, or France. Guyana does not fit this definition.

Parts of Canada were colonized by France but we don't consider Canada to be part of Latin America.... 😕

 

[deleted927529]

Parts of Canada were colonized by France but we don't consider Canada to be part of Latin America.... 😕

They did in the 18th century!

 

[Joobaroo96]

Afro-Caribbean, NOT Hispanic.

Guyana is a former English colony, FYI.

I don't feel comfortable identifying as Afro-Caribbean, because I have no African blood. That is also a racial identifier, not a cultural one like what Latino is. I am not African in any capacity. And again, I don't think being a former English Colony has anything to do with if it is Latino. People in Guyana came from many places, including people who spoke Spanish. Guyana is unique because it has a strong connection to Brazil and Venezuela, unlike traditional Caribbean countries like T&T or Jamaica. It's not fair to just group them in with traditional Caribbean countries because they are so different. That why I'm asking these questions here because it is so ambiguous for Guyana. It's like a mix of so many different cultures.

Also, you don't need to patronize me. I'm from Guyana and I know well it's history and how it was an English Colony. Also, I don't think the current definition of Latino just means from Latin America, by the way. Those colonies were established hundreds of years ago. Cultural flow and spread has happened since then. That why I'm asking here, especially for a country like Guyana that is in a grey area.

 

[Joobaroo96]

There is nothing wrong with identifying as Latino, the question is - are you doing it to get benefits in med school admissions? If you don’t plan to serve the Hispanic community, then maybe you should not do it.

I am very involved with helping underserved communities, as I work in homeless shelters and founded support groups for brain injury. Usually, the people in those groups are poorer men. I have also led research/service trips abroad to Central American countries to aid the underserved locals there. I really do want to serve the underserved community, which includes Latinos, because my family grew up very poor in Guyana.

 

[Joobaroo96]

Amazing. Do you really think that?
I’m sorry you are upset that responders asked you questions . This frequently happens on SDN. Sometimes this is the best(only) way to give you clear and precise answers. Most Responders really don’t want to give erroneous information.

Look I don't really know what to think. I haven't really put a label on it before with much thought. I'm just asking questions on this forum to learn more. I don't know why I feel like I am being crucified here.

 

[deleted1009115]

Look I don't really know what to think. I haven't really put a label on it before with much thought. I'm just asking questions on this forum to learn more. I don't know why I feel like I am being crucified here.

I don’t think anyone is trying to crucify you here. Regardless, it sounds like you know the answer better than anyone else does. Answer how you most closely identify.

 

[LizzyM]

If you are living in the US in April 2020 will you check the "white" box on the US Census? Will you check the "Hispanic" box?

The U.S. Census Bureau defines the ethnonym Hispanic or Latino to refer to "a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race" and states that Hispanics or Latinos can be of any race, any ancestry, any ethnicity.
Languages spoken: Portuguese language; Spanish language

On your AMCAS application, check whichever boxes you'd check on the Census forms. It helps if the numerators and denominators used to determine the proportion of x, y and z in medicine are able to be matched up.

 

[Joobaroo96]

If you are living in the US in April 2020 will you check the "white" box on the US Census? Will you check the "Hispanic" box?

The U.S. Census Bureau defines the ethnonym Hispanic or Latino to refer to "a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race" and states that Hispanics or Latinos can be of any race, any ancestry, any ethnicity.
Languages spoken: Portuguese language; Spanish language

On your AMCAS application, check whichever boxes you'd check on the Census forms. It helps if the numerators and denominators used to determine the proportion of x, y and z in medicine are able to be matched up.

You asking me this question puts me in the same conundrum as the AMCAS does. In fact, this is honestly the same exact question on the AMCAS. This is not helpful at all. I don't know. In what you've written here, it clearly says "South or Central American," so I'd be inclined to say yes. Guyana is in South America and I will always identify as South American. I brought this point up exactly in my very first post, which you may or may not have fully read.

I also do understand what these identifiers are used for. I just want to make sure I represent myself most accurately.

 

[Goro]

You asking me this question puts me in the same conundrum as the AMCAS does. In fact, this is honestly the same exact question on the AMCAS. This is not helpful at all. I don't know. In what you've written here, it clearly says "South or Central American," so I'd be inclined to say yes. Guyana is in South America and I will always identify as South American. I brought this point up exactly in my very first post, which you may or may not have fully read.

I'll make this easy for you

You're not Latino or Hispanic.

Just check the "other " or "decline to answer"

 

[Joobaroo96]

I'll make this easy for you

You're not Latino or Hispanic.

Just check the "other " or "decline to answer"

Thank you for the concise answer and not a question response non-asnwer. If you don't mind elaborating, why is that your position?

 

[Engrailed]

I'll make this easy for you

You're not Latino or Hispanic.

Just check the "other " or "decline to answer"

This. @Joobaroo96

 

[LizzyM]

The US census use of the phrase "or other Spanish culture or origin" after specifying Cuban (Caribbean), Mexican (North Americans), Puerto Rican (Caribbean) and Central and South American (of which there are many countries, most but not all of which are Spanish speaking), is tipping you off to an enumeration of countries that were colonized by the Spanish. Claiming to be Hispanic because you are from Guyana is like someone doing the same because they are from Jamaica which is in the Caribbean just like Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Don't identify as Hispanic. You will appear as if you are attempting to gain some kind of advantage and it can end up biting you in the butt.

 

[907914]

Parts of Canada were colonized by France but we don't consider Canada to be part of Latin America.... 😕

"I marked the hispanic box, eh"

 

[Engrailed]

Don't identify as Hispanic. You will appear as if you are attempting to gain some kind of advantage and it can end up biting you in the butt.

This (for extra assurance). @Joobaroo96

 

[Joobaroo96]

The US census use of the phrase "or other Spanish culture or origin" after specifying Cuban (Caribbean), Mexican (North Americans), Puerto Rican (Caribbean) and Central and South American (of which there are many countries, most but not all of which are Spanish speaking), is tipping you off to an enumeration of countries that were colonized by the Spanish. Claiming to be Hispanic because you are from Guyana is like someone doing the same because they are from Jamaica which is in the Caribbean just like Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Don't identify as Hispanic. You will appear as if you are attempting to gain some kind of advantage and it can end up biting you in the butt.

Thank you for clearing that up. I probably won't write Latino then. But, just for your information, Jamaica is very very different than Guyana, and grouping them in the same category is just wrong. Guyana is sometimes considered Caribbean, but its not in the Caribbean and isn't as 'Caribbean' as Jamaica. Saying Jamaica is Hispanic or Latino would just be wrong. I wouldn't have asked this question here if I was from Jamaica. Guyana is very different.

 

[907914]

Thank you for clearing that up. I probably won't write Latino then. But, just for your information, Jamaica is very very different than Guyana, and grouping them in the same category is just wrong.

If you think it is wrong then check the latino box and don't talk about you Guyanian past. If you think it is wrong, whether it is right or wrong, and want to argue and take offense from advice given by admissions committee members, then just do what you want, check the latino box, and ignore the advice.

 

[82Scout]

Side note this thread reminds me of when I was younger and in grade school. My parents were born in Cuba and all I knew back then was that Cuba was an island so I used to check "pacific Islander" on every form like this 🤣

 

[Joobaroo96]

If you think it is wrong then check the latino box and don't talk about you Guyanian past. If you think it is wrong, whether it is write or wrong, and want to argue and take offense from advice given by admissions committee members, then just do what you want, check the latino box, and ignore the advice.

I'm not taking offense to anyone. I just don't think people here understand Guyana and are just grouping it with the first result they read on Google or have very limited info on it and are making judgments.

 

[907914]

pacific

You never realized that it was the wrong ocean?

 

[82Scout]

You never realized that it was the wrong ocean?

haha I don't think I really cared or looked into it very much. This was like during elementary/middle school for the old state testing. I was way more interested in Pokemon and riding my bike than geography

 

[Joobaroo96]

haha I don't think I really cared or looked into it very much. This was like during elementary/middle school for the old state testing. I was way more interested in Pokemon and riding my bike than geography

Lol wasn't everyone?!? Pokemon Fire red all the way!

 

[Moko]

I just don't think people here understand Guyana and are just grouping it with the first result they read on Google or have very limited info on it and are making judgments.

Keep in mind that that's exactly the treatment you would get from many adcom members who have never heard of Guyana.

 

[LizzyM]

Here's the take from the National Bone Marrow Program which has 4 pages of instructions on how to collect similar data:

"Hispanic or Latino refers to people whose ancestors or descendants originated in Central and South America and in the Caribbean, who follow the customs and cultures of these areas and who may speak Spanish. The phrase Hispanic or Latino excludes people born in Europe whose language is Spanish or Portuguese, and non-Spanish speaking people born in Brazil, Belize, French Guyana, Guyana, Surinam and other non-Spanish speaking territories. "

https://www.cibmtr.org/DataManagement/TrainingReference/Manuals/DataManagement/Documents/appendix-i.pdf

 

[docmcstuffins3]

You said you are part Guyanese? Or both parents are from Guyana?

 

[strappysandals]

AMCAS gives you the option of selecting "Other Spanish Origin" within Hispanic/Latino. You can put down the country you are from. This way you have selected what you generally identify with and you are being 100% transparent. I think if you are 100% transparent like this, then adcoms will not think you are "trying to gain advantage" because wherever you look on the internet you will find a different definition for what is what.

 

[Joobaroo96]

AMCAS gives you the option of selecting "Other Spanish Origin" within Hispanic/Latino. You can put down the country you are from. This way you have selected what you generally identify with and you are being 100% transparent. I think if you are 100% transparent like this, then adcoms will not think you are "trying to gain advantage" because wherever you look on the internet you will find a different definition for what is what.

Yes exactly, that what I was going to do. Definitely specify Guyana. With regard to the Bone Marrow Registry, I agree that I wouldn't be classified as Latino by that definition. But I really don't know if that definition is used by most people, as people from Brazil that I know definitely identify as Latino. Forcing Spanish speaking as a criterion for Latino is something I think is not representative.

 

[Joobaroo96]

You said you are part Guyanese? Or both parents are from Guyana?

One parent is Guyanese.

 

[Engrailed]

The responses you have been giving have been really crappy, FYI. Just saying THIS after someone is trying to have a respectful and insightful discourse is juvenile.

Yes exactly, that what I was going to do. Definitely specify Guyana. With regard to the Bone Marrow Registry, I agree that I wouldn't be classified as Latino by that definition. But I really don't know if that definition is used by most people, as people from Brazil that I know definitely identify as Latino. Forcing Spanish speaking as a criterion for Latino is something I think is not representative.

I have done nothing other than simply reiterate what adcoms (with decades of experience) have generously advised you to do on this thread.
Given the ambiguity of the nation's history/culture etc, adcoms have advised you to avoid selecting the Latino box as it may even "appear as if you are attempting to gain some kind of advantage and it can end up biting you in the butt. "
If you have a strong demonstrated history and interest in working with Latino populations, perhaps, you could justify it, but you have not clarified as such and asking the same question in 10 different ways has not been productive on this thread.

The choice is yours. Seems you found the answer you wanted and will still choose to select Latino with the "Other designation"

 

[candbgirl]

OP joined SDN today. This was OPs first post and he attacked just about all of us. Maybe he should spend some time reading and getting used to the ebb and flow of the forums. It could be helpful for him as he moves along in the process.

 

[Dantes]

Couldn't you put Hispanic and specify Guyana if you feel that fits the culture the best? If not, then maybe just Guyanese in the other box.

 

[Joobaroo96]

I have done nothing other than simply reiterate what adcoms (with decades of experience) have generously advised you to do on this thread.
Given the ambiguity of the nation's history/culture etc, adcoms have advised you to avoid selecting the Latino box as it may even "appear as if you are attempting to gain some kind of advantage and it can end up biting you in the butt. "
If you have a strong demonstrated history and interest in working with Latino populations, perhaps, you could justify it, but you have not clarified as such and asking the same question in 10 different ways has not been productive on this thread.

The choice is yours. Seems you found the answer you wanted and will still choose to select Latino with the "Other designation"

No, you reiterated something in your third and first THIS post. Your second one was just patronizing and disrespectful. When I asked why, you just stated the same reason as to what I was asking why about. That really did not add anything and just seemed like a knee jerk response.

OP joined SDN today. This was OPs first post and he attacked just about all of us. Maybe he should spend some time reading and getting used to the ebb and flow of the forums. It could be helpful for him as he moves along in the process.

I'm not sure how I attacked everyone as well. I just called out one person (@Engrailed) because they were not adding value to the discussion. Frankly, I felt disrespected and disregarded. I've been respectfully considering everyone else's posts with I think decent replies. I also just called @candbgirl out on answering a question with a question. I don't know how that is attacking. Since when is a counterpoint an attack?

From what I've gathered here, Im going to put Other and specify Guyana. Also, @Engrailed, I said I WAS going to put Latino with the Guyana specification. Not that I AM going to do that. This thread has taught me what I was seeking and showed me why thats problematic. Thank you to posters who helped elucidate this beyond saying NO and THIS, especially @LizzyM and @Moko . I appreciate the discourse. Asking the question 10 different ways is necessary because there were ten different answers. It shed light on the issue. Also, I've been a long time lurker. This is my first post and account, but I've been reading for a while now.

 

[Bonne Nuit]

My favorite part so far was when you told LizzyM that her kind, thoughtful reply to you was useless and unhelpful and implied she can’t read. You followed that up by premed-splaining Jamaica to her.

Perhaps you should review the tone of your responses to see why you’re getting the reactions you’re getting. That, or lurk more.

 

[Joobaroo96]

I didn't say she couldn't read, I just reiterated my point and said it was something she may have overlooked. there are indeed several posts here and it's easy to forget one or two things. Also, how can you say I premed-splained something to her? It seems to me that these countries are not well understood by people in this thread. I was just trying to bring some perspective from someone who does understand it better. And that post was unhelpful. Her ones following it was much more helpful, and I appreciated her feedback. I know I may have had an emphatic tone, and I'm sorry about that. I was just getting frustrated by people answering my questions with more questions that just rephrased my original question. That didn't help my original problem.

 

[gyngyn]

Closing.