What cultural experience defines you as being Hispanic?

[Joobaroo96]

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This is my second post just clarifying the cultural background and what is appropriate to put down in the AMCAS. What kind of experiences make you Mexican, for example? Is it just having a genetic lineage to Mexico, or is it more of cultural experience (i.e. if you are white but lived/grew up in Mexico for 10 years). Would both be considered Latino/Hispanic? Again, just asking questions for others who might have them. I am not saying this applies to me.

 

[907914]

This is my second post just clarifying the cultural background and what is appropriate to put down in the AMCAS. What kind of experiences make you Mexican, for example? Is it just having a genetic lineage to Mexico, or is it more of cultural experience (i.e. if you are white but lived/grew up in Mexico for 10 years). Would both be considered Latino/Hispanic? Again, just asking questions for others who might have them. I am not saying this applies to me.

Hispanic would be basically “of descent from from those native to Mexico and former Mexican territory, non-Caribbean south and Central America, including Puerto Rico and Cuba.”

Growing up in the culture is great, but it is almost explicitly about ‘race’ as opposed to culture of ethnicity. Think of South Africa where there are ‘native’ white folks. Are they African?

 

[Joobaroo96]

Hispanic would be basically “of descent from from those native to non-Caribbean south and Central America, including Puerto Rico and Cuba.”

Growing up in the culture is great, but it is almost explicitly about ‘race’ as opposed to the culture of ethnicity. Think of South Africa where there are ‘native’ white folks. Are they African?

Isn't the whole point of URM status there to make it so that people from those regions are better represented in medicine, leading to better treatment of those people though? I can understand how someone who is racially from a certain group may be more inclined to help their same kind of people, but someone who is culturally more involved would also be more inclined. South Africa is weird because the white population basically oppressed the black population there. But say you were the child of humanitarians in a foreign country and your culture is the same as that country. Wouldn't you be more inclined to help people from that country later in your medical practice, as they share the same culture as you? Essentially what I am saying is, isn't culture and a way of life a stronger tie to a community than just skin color and facial features?

 

[907914]

from those regions

This is a false assumption. It is always beneficial to have cultural competence and understanding for your patients, I won’t deny you that, but the point of URM is so that the patient can identify with the physician not the other way around. Particularly in America, a doctor who not only is from the region but LOOKS like the patient is going to make the patient more comfortable, more compliant, less stressed, and feel like they are actually being heard.

I will use a better example:

A white man and a black man grew up in the south side of Chicago together, same apartment building, same elementary through high school, all of it. They both become doctors and return to serve south Chicago in Hyde Park. A local black south Chicago born and raised patient needs treated. White doctor and black doctor both came from the same region, the same “culture” as the patient, but do you think they had the same experiences of race in South Chicago growing up? Who do you think the patient identifies with more?

 

[Joobaroo96]

This is a false assumption. It is always beneficial to have cultural competence and understanding for your patients, I won’t deny you that, but the point of URM is so that the patient can identify with the physician not the other way around. Particularly in America, a doctor who not only is from the region but LOOKS like the patient is going to make the patient more comfortable, more compliant, less stressed, and feel like they are actually being heard.

I will use a better example:

A white man and a black man grew up in the south side of Chicago together, same apartment building, same elementary through high school, all of it. They both become doctors and return to serve south Chicago in Hyde Park. A local black south Chicago born and raised patient needs treated. White doctor and black doctor both came from the same region, the same “culture” as the patient, but do you think they had the same experiences of race in South Chicago growing up? Who do you think the patient identifies with more?

Fair, in this example both have had similar cultural experiences and different physical appearances. The black doc who grew up in the area will undoubtedly treat and understand the patients better. But that white man is sure going to treat the black citizens much more effectively than a white person who didn't grow up like him. Similarly, I would argue that the white guy could treat patients and identify with patients better than a black doctor who grew up in a rich shielded environment. Shouldn't cultural experience count for something? The way you look just makes up the first 10 seconds before you open your mouth and speak to a patient. Once that happens, the true bond occurs, and that bond really happens at a cultural level.

 

[deleted859689]

Had a friend that was adopted. He was always associated with being mexican-american and noted URM on amcas. He took one of those ancestry DNA tests and he was 100% european.

 

[907914]

Shouldn't cultural experience count for something?

It does, when you are applying to MED school you will have ample room to demonstrate your connection and assistance to the Hispanic community. But growing up with them will still not make you able to identify with them. Living and loving the culture does not inherently make one Hispanic. I cite you towards Rachel Dolezal.

Once that happens, the true bond occurs.

This is another false assumption. The bond occurs on first sight. A black patient immediately identifies with a black doctor, regardless of his background. Same with a Hispanic or an asian patient. Same with a white patient. It is how our society has constructed around race and no amount of cultural competence or conversation will change the nature of that paradigm in a single patient interaction.

 

[electropartyogram]

Living and loving the culture does not make one Hispanic.

Millions of people living in Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California would not agree with you.

 

[907914]

Millions of people living in Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California would not agree with you.

Are you talking about people of Hispanic descent or non-Hispanic people identifying as Hispanic? Because my original definition was based on descent. As LizzyM would say “what identity do you check on the census?”

 

[Joobaroo96]

What makes you identify with someone if it isn't a shared cultural connection? The color of your skin is so superficial. I agree a connection occurs before any speaking happens, but you have to admit the strongest connections happen after the fact. I think there is a superficial paradigm and a true patient-doctor paradigm, where one is dictated by looks and the other is dictated by experience. Growing up in a relevant culture gives you that experience. Again, I'm not saying that you will have the same depth of experience as someone who grew up in the culture and shared the same skin color, but you will have a very high level nonetheless. The way the AMCAS is structured now, or at least the way you posit to answer the race/ethnicity/culture questions just discounts that.

Also, I'm not talking about you like the culture so you just practice it. I'm talking about you grew up with it - it was your only culture. With Rachel Dolezal, I get that she lied about being black. But does that really matter in the long run? She did effectively help the NAACP and black people associated with her. This is a hot take, and lying is unforgivable, but what if we look beyond that. She did act as a leader and identified with the black community. Isn't that what is just boils down to in the end?

 

[907914]

Isn't that what is just boils down to in the end?

No.

 

[Joobaroo96]

it does

No.

It doesn't boil down to effectively treating minority populations in the end of the day? Then what is the point of diversity in the first place?

 

[907914]

it does


It doesn't boil down to effectively treating minority populations in the end of the day? Then what is the point of diversity in the first place?

It is not about the doctor’s delivery if care, as mentioned above. It is about patient perceptions and patient outcomes. Regardless of how effective a physician’s care is, a patient will be more comfortable and more compliant (and thus patient outcomes will improve) if they are treated by a physician with whom they identify.

 

[Joobaroo96]

I think we are fundamentally disagreeing with how a patient identifies with the doctor, and whether it is based on purey skins color and features rather than a cultural experience. And patient outcomes improving is exactly "effectively treating minority populations."

 

[deleted859689]

What makes you identify with someone if it isn't a shared cultural connection? The color of your skin is so superficial

Friend who identified as URM on AMCAS, def not URM, spoke 0 spanish did not come from a hispanic family. Only looked hispanic based on the color of his skin. No one questioned it. He got 5 MD IIs and 4 acceptances. It is superficial, but not everything in the world is fair.

 

[Joobaroo96]

Friend who identified as URM on AMCAS, def not URM, spoke 0 spanish did not come from a hispanic family. Only looked hispanic based on the color of his skin. No one questioned it. He got 5 MD IIs and 4 acceptances. It is superficial, but not everything in the world is fair.

I agree with that, and I think it's fine that people of a specific skin color get medical school acceptances. I'm just asking here if having the cultural experience classifies you as Hispanic, as that is a cultural moniker, not a race/genetic one.

 

[deleted859689]

I agree with that, and I think it's fine that people of a specific skin color get medical school acceptances. I'm just asking here if having the cultural experience classifies you as Hispanic, as that is a cultural moniker, not a race/genetic one.

I would agree that cultural experience does not classify one as hispanic in the world of medical school applications. Normally it would, and it would be amazing to note that you speak fluent spanish and can relate to all your hispanic patients since you grew up as a hispanic. But if you are white AF, you are putting Caucasian on the application.

 

[907914]

I agree with that, and I think it's fine that people of a specific skin color get medical school acceptances. I'm just asking here if having the cultural experience classifies you as Hispanic, as that is a cultural moniker, not a race/genetic one.

And fundamentally, so far as this application process goes, no - shared culture in absence of racial components does not inherently Grant one Hispanic status.

 

[electropartyogram]

Are you talking about people of Hispanic descent or non-Hispanic people identifying as Hispanic? Because my original definition was based on descent. As LizzyM would say “what identity do you check on the census?”

It is both. Many people (speaking from experience of living in San Antonio my entire life) that are born in Texas and have never been to Mexico proudly identify as Hispanic, some even indicating that they are Mexican. Hispanic is both descent and culture. You can be Hispanic even if you are seemingly Caucasian. Hispanic was not a category until the 1980s? Something like that. Even so non-“Hispanic” people, by technicality, will still identify as Hispanic even though their descent is Texan (historically). Hispanic is by definition “of Spanish (Spain) origin. Hispanic is also a definitive culture. The census does not properly cover a large quantity of Hispanic people (ethnically and culturally), which is why the categories have been changed in recent years.

 

[electropartyogram]

I agree with that, and I think it's fine that people of a specific skin color get medical school acceptances. I'm just asking here if having the cultural experience classifies you as Hispanic, as that is a cultural moniker, not a race/genetic one.

What about those from Spain, Mexico, and Latin America that appear to be Caucasian, yet speak fluent Spanish?

Cultural experience is definitely a determinant of culture, and since Hispanic is a culture not just an ethnicity, then you are Hispanic if you were raised and grew up in a Hispanic community, have relatives and close ties to the Hispanic community, even distant Hispanic ancestry.

 

[907914]

It is both. Many people (speaking from experience of living in San Antonio my entire life) that are born in Texas and have never been to Mexico proudly identify as Hispanic, some even indicating that they are Mexican. Hispanic is both descent and culture. You can be Hispanic even if you are seemingly Caucasian. Hispanic was not a category until the 1980s? Something like that. Even so non-“Hispanic” people, by technicality, will still identify as Hispanic even though their descent is Texan (historically). Hispanic is by definition “of Spanish (Spain) origin. Hispanic is also a definitive culture. The census does not properly cover a large quantity of Hispanic people (ethnically and culturally), which is why the categories have been changed in recent years.

While culturally I agree with you, for the purposes of the application I believe @Sheeshtopher put it best:

But if you are white AF, you are putting Caucasian on the application.

I will modify that definition above however to be more inclusive ethnically/racially as you are correct.

 

[electropartyogram]

And fundamentally, so far as this application process goes, no - shared culture in absence of racial components does not inherently Grant one Hispanic status.

I disagree. If someone is adopted into a Hispanic household and is raised with Hispanic culture, then they are Hispanic, regardless of what their “race” or ethnicity are.

 

[907914]

Spain

Those from Spain are not Hispanic. Hispanic is almost exclusively utilized for those who are part mestizo or indigenous, so far as the application is concerned.

 

[electropartyogram]

But if you are white AF, you are putting Caucasian on the application.

And my “white” friends that were born in Mexico, are they not Hispanic?

 

[907914]

I disagree. If someone is adopted into a Hispanic household and is raised with Hispanic culture, then they are Hispanic, regardless of what their “race” or ethnicity are.

Would you say the same of a white child adopted into a Nigerian home? Are they Nigerian?

 

[electropartyogram]

Those from Spain are not Hispanic. Hispanic is almost exclusively utilized for those who are part mestizo or indigenous, so far as the application is concerned.

Google “Hispanic”.

 

[deleted859689]

And my “white” friends that were born in Mexico, are they not Hispanic?

I’m not arguing this. I said “in the world of medical school applications.” In my book your white friends are hispanic.

Edit: omg so many spelling errors

 

[electropartyogram]

Would you say the same of a white child adopted into a Nigerian home? Are they Nigerian?

Yes, the situations are rare but yes. They are free to choose. Racially they are not African but say they speak Nigerian then I would definitely consider them culturally Nigerian.

 

[Joobaroo96]

And my “white” friends that were born in Mexico, are they not Hispanic?

That is exactly what I was getting at. If you are raised Hispanic or had a parent who was raised Hispanic but might not be Hispanic with any genetic ties, I think you should be able to write Hispanic as your identity. Black is a gentic moniker, so I don't think even if you were raised in Nigeria you could put black on your application. That is the difference.

 

[907914]

And my “white” friends that were born in Mexico, are they not Hispanic?

Depends, are they white as in European foreign born moving to Mexico or are they white as in predominantly Spaniard with some native Mexican mixed in from a lineage extending back a couple generations? The second is Hispanic, the First is not.

Using my own daughter: She is white as hell, couldn’t even tell she is anything other than white. But she is half Navajo this she is Navajo. If she was just white and grew up on the Rez, she would not be Navajo, she would be white.

 

[907914]

Yes, the situations are rare but yes. They are free to choose. Racially they are not African but say they speak Nigerian then I would definitely consider them culturally Nigerian.

Being that we are specifically on a premed forum, would you comfortably recommend that this applicant checkmark African?

 

[Joobaroo96]

Depends, are they white as in European foreign born moving to Mexico or are they white as in predominantly Spaniard with some native Mexican mixed in from a lineage extending back a couple generations? The second is Hispanic, the First is not.

Using my own daughter: She is white as hell, couldn’t even tell she is anything other than white. But she is half Navajo this she is Navajo. If she was just white and grew up on the Rez, she would not be Navajo, she would be white.

That is your fallacy there. Navajo and Native American are not cultural identifiers, they are genetic. Hispanic is purely cultural. Black is also genetic, not cultural. These criteria we are laying out are unique for Hispanic.

 

[deleted859689]

I’m not an adcom, and maybe they can give some feedback. My only qualms to putting hispanic if you are white (but are raised culturaly hispanic) is an adcom will look at you with a question mark, but I guess you can explain. Honestly I’m filipino and wanted to put pacific islander... but... doesn’t work that way.

 

[electropartyogram]

Depends, are they white as in European foreign born moving to Mexico or are they white as in predominantly Spaniard with some native Mexican mixed in from a lineage extending back a couple generations? The second is Hispanic, the First is not.

Using my own daughter: She is white as hell, couldn’t even tell she is anything other than white. But she is half Navajo this she is Navajo. If she was just white and grew up on the Rez, she would not be Navajo, she would be white.

If you are from Spain then you are Spanish, which is also Hispanic. Most people in Mexico and Latin America are descendants from Spaniards, they are also Hispanic.

Most from Latin and Central and South America are descended from Spain. Not everyone from Spain (most likely very few) will have Mexican descendants. Both are Hispanic.

 

[Joobaroo96]

That's why I asked this question because it is a cultural moniker, I would think that it would be OK if someone has had significant experience in a Latino environment and identifies with the culture to say they are Latino even if genetically they may not be. E.g. Someone white was born in Mexico or someone lived in Mexico for 20 years or something along those lines. The other identifiers are not cultural, but if they were, I would argue the same case for them as well. If you were white and born in Nigeria and you spoke Nigerian and identified with that culture, say you are Nigerian or African, or maybe African American. In my mind those are cultural monikers - but it doesn't make you black.

 

[907914]

If you are from Spain then you are Spanish, which is also Hispanic. Most people in Mexico and Latin America are descendants from Spaniards, they are also Hispanic.

Most from Latin and Central and South America are descended from Spain. Not everyone from Spain (most likely very few) will have Mexican descendants. Both are Hispanic.

From an ADCOM:

South Americans, Spaniards, Filipinos, Cubans and Portuguese Americans could all be called Hispanic. They do not represent communities that are generally considered UiM, though. Any school may identify one of these communities in their catchment area that is under-served and designate that group, however.
Just about everybody considers Mexican-Americans and mainland Puerto Ricans UiM. In CA, Central Americans are UiM at many schools.
Language skills and commitment to service are always welcome, though.

I admit that yes Hispanic is a purely cultural definition. However in OPs case, the only legitimate reason they seek to state that they are Hispanic is to gain an application advantage. Regardless of their initial post, the only rational for this would be so they could identify as anything other than white. If OP wants to click both then by all means, however I personally believe it would be a fallacy and a disservice to their application to do such. If you have to ask if you are a specific race or ethnicity, then chances are you are not that.

 

[electropartyogram]

Being that we are specifically on a premed forum, would you comfortably recommend that this applicant checkmark African?

No, because they are not racially or ethnically African. If they had an option to note they are culturally African then yes. The OP asked specifically about culture, not race/ethnicity.

 

[deleted859689]

That's why I asked this question because it is a cultural moniker, I would think that it would be OK if someone has had significant experience in a Latino environment and identifies with the culture to say they are Latino even if genetically they may not be. E.g. Someone white was born in Mexico or someone lived in Mexico for 20 years or something along those lines. The other identifiers are not cultural, but if they were, I would argue the same case for them as well. If you were white and born in Nigeria and you spoke Nigerian and identified with that culture, say you are Nigerian or African, or maybe African American. In my mind those are cultural monikers - but it doesn't make you black.

You could put down what culture you have, but would say it would not grant you URM status

 

[907914]

No, because they are not racially or ethnically African. If they had an option to note they are culturally African then yes. The OP asked specifically about culture, not race/ethnicity.

I would think that it would be OK if someone has had significant experience in a Latino environment and identifies with the culture to say they are Latino even if genetically they may not be.

I direct you towards OP’s intent. They want to claim they are Latino when they are white. Sure, OP can culturally identify as Hispanic sure, but I am putting this in the context of the premed forum that OP is white so far as the application is concerned.

 

[Joobaroo96]

From an ADCOM:




I admit that yes Hispanic is a purely cultural definition. However in OPs case, the only legitimate reason they seek to state that they are Hispanic is to gain an application advantage. Regardless of their initial post, the only rational for this would be so they could identify as anything other than white. If OP wants to click both then by all means, however I personally believe it would be a fallacy and a disservice to their application to do such. If you have to ask if you are a specific race or ethnicity, then chances are you are not that.

I would like to remind you that I clearly stated this did not apply to me, it was more of a thought experiment. I don't plan on identifying as Hispanic, but was merely curious about what exactly constitutes Hispanic for someone in the future who may be seeking this question. Also, I think asking if you are a race or ethnicity is fine - saying you can't is just a bigotted, uninclusive statement. Sometimes it's not cut and dry as it is for many people, especially when people have had very mixed upbringings or heritages. That's just an unfair characterization. Questions about how they identify for an official form usually aren't on the tops of their minds.

Also, I am not white. Again, just a hypothetical question in a thought experiment. The answer here could help someone down the line. Assuming the worst isn't helping anyone.

 

[907914]

I would like to remind you that I clearly stated this did not apply to me, it was more of a thought experiment. I don't plan on identifying as Hispanic, but was merely curious about what exactly constitutes Hispanic for someone in the future who may be seeking this question. Also, I think asking if you are a race or ethnicity is fine - saying you can't is just a bigotted, uninclusive statement. Sometimes it's not cut and dry as it is for many people, especially when people have had very mixed upbringings or heritages. That's just an unfair characterization. Questions about how they identify for an official form usually aren't on the top of their minds

Ok, the advice isn’t for you then. The advice is for whomever and whatever reason you made the post. Then to summarize:

If you are OiM, you know you are OiM. Don’t try to game the system, just check the box you know you are.

 

[electropartyogram]

From an ADCOM:




I admit that yes Hispanic is a purely cultural definition. However in OPs case, the only legitimate reason they seek to state that they are Hispanic is to gain an application advantage. Regardless of their initial post, the only rational for this would be so they could identify as anything other than white. If OP wants to click both then by all means, however I personally believe it would be a fallacy and a disservice to their application to do such. If you have to ask if you are a specific race or ethnicity, then chances are you are not that.

Again, you are misunderstanding. From the Adcoms quote they say who is considered to be Hispanic, so it is not purely cultural as you say.

Your last statement is incorrect as well. Many people do not know their specific race (U.S. born but parents from Mexico, racially they are Mexican) or what to put down.

The rationale could be honest, or it could be dishonest. In the news, politicians and pundits alike have used this to gain advantages, while some have not. Just because you have an opinion does not change the definition of Hispanic.

I am Caucasian. If one of my parents was from Mexico, I would still be Caucasian, I would also be Hispanic, regardless of my skin color. I have many Mexican friends that do not speak Spanish that are still racially, ethnically, and culturally Mexican.

 

[deleted859689]

Again, you are misunderstanding. From the Adcoms quote they say who is considered to be Hispanic, so it is not purely cultural as you say.

Your last statement is incorrect as well. Many people do not know their specific race (U.S. born but parents from Mexico, racially they are Mexican) or what to put down.

The rationale could be honest, or it could be dishonest. In the news, politicians and pundits alike have used this to gain advantages, while some have not. Just because you have an opinion does not change the definition of Hispanic.

I am Caucasian. If one of my parents was from Mexico, I would still be Caucasian, I would also be Hispanic, regardless of my skin color. I have many Mexican friends that do not speak Spanish that are still racially, ethnically, and culturally Mexican.

In the case of my friend, he took the DNA test after acceptance. He truly believed he was Mexican since he was told that his entire life. Just an example of what you stated!

 

[Dr panda]

New day, new “am I URM” thread that transmits into debate about race.
If you don’t plan to serve the Hispanic community, don’t claim to be one (unless you identified as Hispanic during census). Remember, adcoms will see you in person. Same reason why being black =/= being URM. People from south Chicago would have totally different experience than affluent upper class Nigerian immigrants. If you want to serve URM communities, you will have that opportunity for sure, just don’t claim to be one simply to get that additional spot in admission cycle. Same true for being LGBT. Play fair.

 

[Joobaroo96]

New day, new “am I URM” thread that transmits into debate about race.
If you don’t plan to serve the Hispanic community, don’t claim to be one (unless you identified as Hispanic during census). Remember, adcoms will see you in person. Same reason why being black =/= being URM. People from south Chicago would have totally different experience than affluent upper class Nigerian immigrants. If you want to serve URM communities, you will have that opportunity for sure, just don’t claim to be one simply to get that additional spot in admission cycle. Same true for being LGBT. Play fair.

One thing about the census is the many of us who are applying to med schools now were too young to remember or our parents just did it for us. Saying that is really not helpful, as I was just 12 when the census was there. I asked this question because from what I could find, no one had asked something similar.

 

[LizzyM]

One thing about the census is the many of us who are applying to med schools now were too young to remember or our parents just did it for us. Saying that is really not helpful, as I was just 12 when the census was there. I asked this question because from what I could find, no one had asked something similar.

The next US census is April 1, 2020. Which boxes will you check? Ethnicity is one set of boxes and race is another. It is possible to be Hispanic and white. The "white" category is actually "white, non-Hispanic" when the tallies come out because the Hispanics, most of whom identify as white, are combined together to create a demographic picture of the USA. These identifiers go into drawing the boundaries for congressional districts, and other geographic voting blocs and are used to carve out "hispanic" districts in some locations.

 

[82Scout]

The next US census is April 1, 2020. Which boxes will you check. Ethnicity is one set of boxes and race is another. It is possible to be Hispanic and white. The "white" category is actually "white, non-Hispanic" when the tallies come out because the Hispanics, most of whom identify as white, are combined together to create a demographic picture of the USA. These identifiers go into drawing the boundaries for congressional districts, and other geographic voting blocs and are used to carve out "hispanic" districts in some locations.

This

I check Caucasian and Hispanic/Latino.

 

[Goro]

This is my second post just clarifying the cultural background and what is appropriate to put down in the AMCAS. What kind of experiences make you Mexican, for example? Is it just having a genetic lineage to Mexico, or is it more of cultural experience (i.e. if you are white but lived/grew up in Mexico for 10 years). Would both be considered Latino/Hispanic? Again, just asking questions for others who might have them. I am not saying this applies to me.

The question asks about what you identify as.

How much traction you get out of that will vary. Adcoms are quite aware that applicants suddenly discover thier ethic heritage only upon applying to medical school

Evidence of service to Hispanic communities will go a long way to show that you walk the walk and not merely talk the talk.

 

[differentiating]

I would agree that cultural experience does not classify one as hispanic in the world of medical school applications. Normally it would, and it would be amazing to note that you speak fluent spanish and can relate to all your hispanic patients since you grew up as a hispanic. But if you are white AF, you are putting Caucasian on the application.

I direct you towards OP’s intent. They want to claim they are Latino when they are white. Sure, OP can culturally identify as Hispanic sure, but I am putting this in the context of the premed forum that OP is white so far as the application is concerned.

It’s been said before, but to reiterate: being white and being Hispanic or Latino aren’t mutually exclusive. Plenty of genetically Hispanic individuals are fair-skinned. The application allows one to specify country of origin, so someone telling the truth about their heritage need not worry about “pretending” to be URM.

I agree that service to a URM community (Latino or otherwise) would be a much bigger boost to one’s application either way.