Latino, Hispanic or Latinx? A guide through the variety of concepts
Latino, Hispanic or Latinx? A guide through the variety of concepts
In the United States there is a growing discussion about the terminology that is used to describe people with roots in Latin America and Spain. The term "Latinx", which was created as a gender -neutral alternative to "Latino" and "Hispanic", is increasingly becoming aware of it. According to a current study by the PEW Research Center, 47% of Latinos in the United States have heard of the term. Nevertheless, only a small group, namely around 4%, identifies even with this expression, which has been a modest increase in only 1% since 2019.
Mark Lopez, director of the research department for breed and ethnicity at PEW, states: "Although 'Latinx' is better known under U.S.-Latinos, he is accepted by a few." Among those who are familiar with the term, more than a third has a negative view of their use, which in question.
new perspectives on gender neutrality
The discussion about a suitable name is not new. The term "Hispanic" was once introduced by the federal government to describe people from Spanish -speaking cultures, but has understood many political connotations and is understood by some as a recourse to the colonial history of Spain. Many also prefer to identify with more specific names based on their origin, such as Colombian American or Salvadoran American.
An important aspect of this discussion is language development. The origin of the term "Latinx" goes back to the 1990s when feminist movements in the Chican community introduced the @character in words to mark genders. Over time, the letter "X" also found its way into Queer Culture. The term gained popularity when queer began to use the "X" in various words in Latin America, so that "Latinx" finally prevailed in the USA.
The foundation of the "Latinx Collective" in 2017 by Elisabeth Rosario was a conscious sign of openness and inclusive. She says: "Language will always develop. We have to pay attention to what makes people comfortable." Nevertheless, it is clear that a perfect name is probably never found, since the Latin American community is very diverse and encompasses different identities.
Luis Torres founded the group "Queer Latinxs in Tech" in the San Francisco Bay area three years ago and attaches great importance to inclination. He notices that the use of the terms changes depending on the situation. "It's about intention," says Torres. "Those who consciously want to create a safe space use these terms." Especially in such a dynamic social landscape it becomes clear that it is important to maintain respect for the wishes and identities of people.
The discussion about how people in the USA should be perceived and described remains complex and complicated, but the increase in terms and their use shows a clear development towards more sensitivity and recognition for gender diversity.
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