Culture is an important aspect of any society; in the United States, we have the unique opportunity of being surrounded by countless groups of people who stem from all corners of the globe. I, myself, am a Portuguese-American, something I take extreme pride in. Growing up, I spoke Portuguese and English at home, watched my parents make homemade wine and breads, attended a Portuguese night school in addition to my regular studies, and took part in a folklore dance group. I couldn’t have asked for a better childhood, because I was exposed to a vast collection of ideas, stories and values that I could never have gotten anywhere else. These traditions and values, as well as the values of all other cultures, need to be preserved.
However, recently I came across the news that the U.S. Census Bureau is planning to add Portuguese to the Hispanic designation of ethnicity in the 2020 National Census. As someone who has studied Portuguese history, speaks the language and has visited the country on multiple occasions, I find this shocking. And frankly, it’s downright offensive.
The Portuguese have made their mark throughout history. We were one of the first groups to navigate the oceans and begin a colonial empire. About 10 countries spanning from Europe to Asia and Africa consider Portuguese their official language, and it’s the 7th most spoken language in the world. We have our own celebrations, holidays, dances, music, foods and traditions. The Hispanic culture, however, is hugely different. Yes, some definitions of Hispanic include Portuguese heritage as well, but in its broadest meaning, the first people you think about when you hear the word “Hispanic” are not Portuguese, but rather those who speak Spanish or are of Spanish descent.
Hispanics have a brilliant and rich history, and their diversity is what makes them unique; their culture should also be respected. Spanish-speaking countries have clearly differentiated themselves from other cultures, and the Portuguese do not fit into this category; we don’t even speak the same language. How can the U.S. Census Bureau accurately distinguish between ethnicities when they are considering pairing two completely different societies together? For the record, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being Hispanic, but categorizing “similar” ethnic groups (like Portuguese) as Hispanic is degrading to both parties, and demeans their unique cultural and linguistic identities. I’m sure people of Hispanic heritage also feel a sense of belonging to their ethnic group, and adding another group into this mix will only confuse its meaning. The term “Hispanic” itself has a problematic connotation. Not everyone who lives in Spanish-speaking countries identify themselves as Hispanic, especially the indigenous people living in areas colonized by Europeans. If there is already controversy surrounding this term among Spanish-speaking groups, then perhaps the word “Hispanic” should be reexamined or redefined before using it to classify others.
To be fair, I understand where supporters of this classification are coming from. As of now, Portuguese is not a listed ethnicity on the Census form, or any form/application for that matter. In the heat of the moment, we are forced to choose between checking the “White/Caucasian” box, the “Hispanic” box or the ever-so-vague “Other” box. I inevitably choose “Other,” not because I dislike labels, but because I strongly feel that the Portuguese culture is utterly unique. While it would be nice to see “Portuguese” listed as an option, it just doesn’t seem realistic.
While a decision has yet to be made by the Census Bureau, there has already been furious debate over the issue. PALCUS (Portuguese American Leadership Council of the United States) conducted a short survey of 5,000 Portuguese-Americans; 90 percent of respondents were opposed to the Hispanic-Portuguese merge. While this topic may only spark interest within the Portuguese population, its message is much louder than that. Think of it this way: if Portuguese and are now considered Hispanic, then are the Irish (excluding Northern Irish) considered British? Will the term someday encompass more European countries, to the point where the Italians and French are also considered Hispanic? Sorry Census Bureau, but a little respect is needed or else you’re going to have thousands of angry Portuguese at your door (myself included). This is touchy territory, and the decision must be made with the utmost care and consideration for all cultures involved.
*Disclaimer: The U.S. Census Bureau requests that readers understand this editorial addresses only rumors about the Hispanic-Portuguese topic. To hear what the Census Bureau has to say in response, check out this link:
http://washingtonexaminer.com/census-bureau-portuguese-not-hispanic/article/2523411
