Daniela Perez/ Staff Writer
The term “Latinx” has been introduced as the new gender neutral replacement for “Latino.” Although often misinterpreted as a typo or a made up word, it’s actually defined in the Oxford Dictionary as “a person of Latin American origin or descent (used as a gender-neutral or non-binary alternative to Latino or Latina).”
Although it’s merely a word, it allows for the Latinx community to come out and feel accepted within their environment. Despite living in a seemingly free environment, the use of a gendered word may implicitly shun you out.
In the Spanish language, any masculine term is considered gender neutral, but it’s a false appropriation. Upon this realization, people began discovering the use of Latinx and its profound meaning. The “x” essentially declines any association to gender or label, much like using the x in X-mas.
“Latinx” has become a part of a “linguistic revolution,” which aims to cross gender borders and include all intersecting groups of Latin Americans. This means that the term stands for men and women from all LGBT backgrounds, including transgender, queer, non-binary, gender nonconforming, and gender fluid individuals.
It’s widespread use has been attributed to scholars, activists, and slowly, journalists, according to the Huffington Post.
The term “Latinx” is truly just the inception of the Spanish language’s introduction to the linguistic revolution.
However, it’s an imperfect word that only accomplishes a shadow of what it intends to. Yesenia Padilla from Complex magazine criticizes the term by pointing out that it’s not the “perfect identifying term” to answer the ongoing quest of accepting more identities.
According to FIU records, our university is 61 percent Hispanic and thus, the term Latinx identifies all of us cohesively.
However, FIU students such as Martina Corral, a junior studying psychology, doesn’t “think much about it [Latnix].”
“I just think it’s a term that simplifies Latino and Latina into one,” Corral said.
Despite this, the self-identifying queer and hospitality junior venerates the term by saying it’s a step forward in a traditional community.
The term Latinx may not be as significant to people, but the crossing out of two letters provides a sense of acceptance and comfort in people, including people here at FIU.
Hearing or reading the term should not cause discomfort to those against it. It’s important to be a part of the linguistic revolution that aims to encompass all of society.
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Photo Credit: Dmitri Popov
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