Here's why:
* Adjective: It describes a person, group, or thing. For example, "Hispanic culture," "Hispanic heritage."
* Noun: It would need to name a specific person, place, or thing.
To use "Hispanic" as a noun, you would need to:
* Use it as an adjective: "The Hispanics in the community..." (This implies all Hispanics in the community)
* Use it as a proper noun: "The Hispanic Heritage Foundation" (This names a specific organization)
Important Note: While "Hispanic" is often used informally as a noun, it's generally considered more appropriate to use more specific terms like "Latinx," "Latinos," or "Hispanos" when referring to people from Latin American origins.