Panel 1
The protagonist is shown sitting on a drawing of Mexico.
Text: A mini comic by Terry Blas
Panel 2
The protagonist, Terry, is smiling widely while riding a pink unicorn above a drawing of the state of Oregon. Inside Oregon are the words “Portland, Oregon: Old Town.”
Terry: Hello! I’m comic artist Terry Blas. It’s recently come to my attention that many people don’t know the difference between the terms Latino and Hispanic. They’re actually not interchangeable. Don’t worry. There’s no shame. I’ve got you. Look, I’ll admit. It was a bit confusing, even for me. I grew up in a bicultural household.
Panel 3
Two smiling people are shown in front of two maps. One person has short brown hair and a mustache and is standing in front of a map of the U.S. The other person has long black hair and is standing in front of a map of Mexico.
Text: My dad is from Utah, and my mom is from Ameca Meca, Mexico. This is them in the 70s.
Panel 4
Young Terry is sitting at a desk writing as his mother chops vegetables next to him.
Child Terry: And they asked me how I knew Spanish and I said, “I’m Mexican!”
Panel 5
Terry’s mother turns to him and he stops writing.
Mother: You’re not Mexican.
Panel 6
Terry’s mom is shown closing her eyes and holding baby Terry in her arms.
Text: She was being funny (and a little shady), but she also had a point. My parents both taught me to speak Spanish and to be proud of my heritage, but what she was saying was: “Terry, you were not born in Mexico. That is not your country of origin. Close, but no cigar.”
Panel 7
Adult Terry is leaning against a sign post that has various Mexican city names on it. In the background, there is a Mexican pyramid with numerous steps seen leading to a building with an entrance at the top.
Text: But Mexico and being Mexican feels like a part of my identity. I speak Spanish; I’ve visited and lived in more cities in Mexico than I have in the United States of America. Growing up, I was closer and more familiar with my mom’s side of the family. So I started saying, “I’m Hispanic” or “I’m Latino” and using them both interchangeably.
Panel 8
An image of Terry’s grandparents kissing young Terry’s cheeks on either side.
Text: Grandpa Blas and Mama Lupe.
Panel 9
Terry and another person are walking down the street talking, as three people stand in the background and look at them.
Text: When I was a missionary in New York City (The Bronx), I met people from almost every country in Latin America, and it amazed me how many of my fellow companions had no clue.
Terry’s companion: I thought everyone who spoke Spanish was from Mexico.
Terry: This is your first time outside of Sandy, Utah, isn’t it?
Panel 10
Terry is smiling widely and pointing at a theatre with an advertisement for Lion King.
Terry: I was the gayest missionary around. But anyway, I’m getting off track. While there, I learned different dialects of Spanish and really learned what the difference between Latino and Hispanic is.
Panel 11
A close up of Terry’s face looking to his right.
Text: Como estas? Como tu ta?
Panel 12
Terry is wearing a suit and using a stick to point to a chalkboard.
Text: So here we go. Let’s start with this… Latino is a term that is telling you about geography. Hispanic is a term that is telling you about language. It’s easy to remember if you dissect the words. Latino means from Latin America. Latin America refers mostly to everything below the United States of America, including the Caribbean. Hispanic means from a country whose primary language is Spanish. But not every country in Latin America speaks Spanish primarily.
Panel 13
The iconic statue of Jesus in Rio de Janeiro is shown.
Terry: For instance… Someone from Brazil is Latino, but not Hispanic! They speak Portuguese in Brazil!
Panel 14
Famous statues from Spain are show.
Terry: Someone from Spain is Hispanic! But not Latino! Spain is not a country in Latin America.
Panel 15
The three people standing on the street in a previous panel are shown again.
Text: Many people who have Hispanic or Latino ancestors but live in other countries also consider themselves Latino and or Hispanic.
Panel 16
Terri is smiling and holding his hand to his head.
Text: So personally, I feel like in my case, with my dad being from the US and my mom being from Mexico, the terms apply to me. I’m Latino because of where my mother is from, and I’m Hispanic because that country is somewhere where Spanish is spoken primarily.
Panel 17
Two eagles are perched next to each other atop a cactus, holding their opposite wings out.
Text: Granted, this makes me 50% Latino and Hispanic. But I’ll take what I can get.
Panel 18
Adult Terry and Young Terry are standing next to each other talking.
Adult Terry: I hope this helped young Terry.
Young Terry: Oh, it did!
Adult Terry: I’m so glad!
Panel 19
Young Terry smiles as he talks to Adult Terry, who has a surprised expression on his face.
Young Terry: (Speaking to Adult Terry) Now can you explain the difference between “queer” and “gay?”
