I believe that Chicano is specific to people of Mexican heritage while Latino applies to anyone from Latin America.My position is, I'm not going to tell some other group of people what they should or shouldn't call themselves. And as a matter of simple courtesy, I'll call them what they prefer to be called.

One of my best friends in college -- Ecuadorian/Puerto Rican -- compared the Hispanic vs. Latino debate to the Negro vs. Black debate. She considered "Hispanic" out-dated and useless and somewhat demeaning.My Puerto Rican grandfather (not biological, via my grandmother's third marriage) didn't like Hispanic and was indifferent to Latino. He usually called himself American by default and Puerto Rican by birth/culture.

Apparently "Hispanic" is government approved by committee.Them committe created names never stick.

Chicano was a specific political movement which grew up after the Zoot Suit Riots in Los Angeles. It is specific to Mexican Americans and in that way has parallels to the difference between Negroes and Blacks, as in Black Consciousness Movement.

i think the conversation is worthwhile even if we don't arrive at any answers. and census forms bring out the hannibal lecter in me.

My Mexican roommate who grew up in Chicago insisted that he though that Chicano only applied to Mexicans from Chicago -- Chic-ano.Of course, he was willing to room with me, so take that into account.

Aight, that was half way amusing.