Latinx, Latino, Hispanic, their significance in modern world

As time changes, words and their meanings follow suit. Words that express unity and speak for communities are essential, but sometimes leave cavities that need to be filled. To this day, the terms Latino and Hispanic are commonly used interchangeably to represent or identify Spanish-speaking communities. In addition, they are also used to describe people who are of Latin American descent. However, the emergence of the term Latinx sparked new questions and debates. One of them being: what is the right way to identify oneself and others when presented with said terms?

Before the 1970s, the U.S. census classified the majority of Spanish Speakers as white. The main reason was the lack of options people had when categorizing themselves into a race. As a result, these censuses inaccurately represented populations in different parts of the country. Additionally, such voices were not heard when fighting for more rights and resources. The U.S. needed a national identity for these people, thinking of many terms, but ultimately choosing the word Hispanic to represent this demographic. Hispanic connected the community through the concept of sharing a historical connection to Spain. 

On the contrary, many people did not feel this connection to Europe. They needed a word more grounded in the U.S. and acknowledged other speakers who are not only of European descent. In the 1990s, the terms Latino and Latina became more commonly used. These words were what ultimately connected the Spanish-speaking communities. 

During the 2000s, Latinx grew in popularity due to activists with goals of achieving a more gender-inclusive term. After all, Latino (used for males) and Latina (used for females) left no room for people who did not feel like they fit in either category. Latinx may be a new term, but its intentions are not. Similarly, Latine was created and used in other Spanish-speaking communities as a more gender-inclusive term. 

It is hard to squeeze oneself into a term when there are many more. For some, they chose to use what appeared frequently while growing up. 

At the end of the day, there is no singular, idyllic right way to identify oneself. It all boils down to a person’s preference; but using Latinx or Latine is, in a way, more inclusive. In life, people take on many identities: teacher, parent, friend, student, son, and daughter; but those are just parts that make up a whole person. Ethnicity is no different.