Research Guides and Class Pages: Latine Experience : Latinx

Articles from the Collection

The Complexity of the “x” in Latinx: How Latinx/a/o Students Relate to, Identify With, and Understand the Term Latinx
The usage of term Latinx has gained popularity in higher education settings. This study documents how 34 Latinx/a/o students relate to, identify with, and understand the term Latinx. Participants perceive higher education as a privileged space where they use the term Latinx. Once they return to their communities, they do not use the term. Due to the variations in understandings of the term, the author contends that one should consider using the term Latin*.

Lantino/Hispanic

Latine,Latinx, Latino/a & Hispanic are not interchangeable-- a mini comic takes the opportunity to showcase the differences for us:

Latinx VS Latine

Here's Why Some 'Latinx' Users are Switching to 'Latine'
There is much debate about whether we should use Latino or Latinx or Latine. Languages tend to evolve over time, especially to account for changes in society. As the world becomes more tolerant it makes sense that we’d try to come up with a new word that includes the sprawling diversity, gender or otherwise, of Latin people. However, nothing last forever, and what was the standard one day might be yesterday’s news.
Latinx VS Latine
Illustrator Terry Blas on why he's choosing Latine.

Latinx

Open Access Articles

Latinx was adopted by people looking for a more inclusive and gender-free alternative to the gendered “Latino” or “Latina,” Latinx allows for an option for those that don’t identify within the gender binary. Review the articles below for more information.

What You Need To Know About the Letter ‘X’ in Words Like Folx, Womxn, and Latinx
In short: “x” may have thousands of years of history under its belt, but like all language, it’s imperfect, complicated, and up for interpretation. And, most importantly, it means that people who don’t identify as LGBTQ+ and who use the letter “x” are not automatically effective allies.
Here's Why Many People Prefer "Latinx" to "Hispanic"
This article cover where the term latinx came from and what it means.
THE X IN LATINX IS A WOUND, NOT A TREND
This article proposes the perspective that “Latinx” is not for everyone. Transgender and gender-nonconforming Latin Americans living in the U.S. have used the “X” as a reminder that their bodies are still experiencing a colonization invested in disciplining them to fit a standard gender identity, gender presentation, sexual orientation, and a particular sexual performance. For this reason, it is important for us to not normalize “Latinx,” but to engage in critical reflection of how violence against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Asexual + (LGBTQIA+) Latin Americans has been accepted by Latin American people to the point that LGBTQIA+ Latinxs have had to create a linguistic intervention in the hopes that they can live a livable life.
Latino and Hispanic identities aren’t the same. They’re also not racial groups.
To understand what race Latinos and Hispanics are, you first must understand the difference between Latinos and Hispanics.
What does ‘Latinx’ Mean? A Look at the Term that's Challenging Gender Norms
According to Google Trends data, Latinx began emerging as early as 2004, but really started popping up in online searches some time in late 2014. During this period, the term had mostly been used in left-leaning and queer communities as a way to promote inclusivity in language. But thanks to social media users on sites like Tumblr and Twitter, Latinx gained a foothold by mid-2015, and its use began spreading beyond LGBTQIA communities.
The Argument Against the use of the Term “Latinx”
"As we continually search for ways to improve gender inclusivity in Spanish, we have come up with a myriad of broad language such as Latino/a and Latina. The most recent of these solutions is the term “Latinx.” In our opinion, the use of the identifier “Latinx” as the new standard should be discouraged because it is a buzzword that fails to address any of the problems within Spanish on a meaningful scale." Article written by Gilbert Guerra and Gilbert Orbea.
Can We Please Stop Using ‘Latinx’? Thanx.
Gender inclusivity is important, but so is acknowledging our indigenous origins. Article written by Kurly Tlapoyawa.

Finding Latinx by Paola Ramos
ISBN: 9781984899095
Publication Date: 2020-10-20
Latinos are the youngest demographic in the country, with an estimated 32.5 million millennials and Gen Zers across the country. Ten out of six Latinos are millennials or younger, and every single year, one million Latinos turn eighteen. Latin-X- How a New Movement is Changing the Country will take millions of young Latinos-including the author herself-on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, shedding light on the voices that have been brewing yet overlooked for years. From Afro-Latinos to Trans-Latinos, border town Latinos to the young Cuban-Americans in Miami, this book will give life to the cryptic term 'Latin-X'. Latin-X was a term that originated as a way to be more inclusive towards queer and gender non-confirming members of the larger Latino community. However, over the years, the scope of the term has grown, reflecting a movement that is currently underway across the country- fifty-eight million Latinos are in the midst of rediscovering what their diverse identity means. Today, the "X" is an invitation to any Latino that has ever felt left out of the community. LatinX is a term that seeks to transcend demographics, disrupt stereotypes and create a more cohesive community. This book is also deeply personal to the author, as it is also the first time she will be coming out publicly as a queer Latina. "I am queer, I am Latina, I am Cuban, Mexican and first-generation American," she says, "These are words I have never been ashamed of saying out loud-but there's a difference between passive recognition and really owning one's blood."

LatinX by Claudia Milian
LatinX has neither country nor fixed geography. LatinX, according to Claudia Milian, is the most powerful conceptual tool of the Latino/a present, an itinerary whose analytic routes incorporate the Global South and ecological devastation. Milian’s trailblazing study deploys the indeterminate but thunderous “X” as intellectual armor, a speculative springboard, and a question for our times that never stops being asked. LatinX sorts out and addresses issues about the unknowability of social realities that exceed our present knowledge.

Latine Experience