Why is Hispanic / Latino not a racial background choice?
According to U.S. government guidelines, ethnic heritage and racial background are to be separate, distinct questions and responses. “Ethnic Heritage” defines membership in cultural groups such as Hispanic / Latino, whereas “Racial Background” is based on ancestry and genetic groups. This issue is handled in various ways outside the U.S., and the current standards continue to evolve. We realize this distinction may be somewhat confusing, but we must conform to the latest reporting standards required by the government.
