Some Spanish-speaking activists are already using a different gender-inclusive term that could be a better replacement for Latino or Latina.
Less than 5% of U.S. Latinos use 'Latinx' as a racial or ethnic identity. Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images
As a Mexican-born, U.S.-raised scholar, I agree with the official Argentine and Spanish stance on banning Latinx from the Spanish language – English, too. However, a 2019 Pew research study and 2021 Gallup poll indicated that less than 5% of the U.S. population used “Latinx” as a racial or ethnic identity.
My problem with “Latinx” isn’t using the term. It’s that many Brown communities are still culturally isolated in the US, and our expectation that they’ll just adopt it because affluent LGBTQ+ regions have is unfair and problematic. #Queer #SaturdayThoughts How was I supposed to differentiate my participants’ sexism experiences by gender and race if I labeled them all as Latinx?
Some Spanish speakers would rather identify by nationality – say, “Mexicano” or “Argentino” – instead of using umbrella terms like Hispanic or Latino. But the “x” can’t be easily applied to nationalities. Like Latinx, “Mexicanx” and “Argentinx” don’t exactly roll off the tongue in any language. Meanwhile, gendered articles in Spanish – “los” and “las” for the plural “the” – become “lxs,” while gendered pronouns –“el” and “ella” becomes “ellx.
I believe Latine accomplishes what Latinx originally meant to and more. Similarly, it eliminates the gender binary in its singular and plural form. However, Latine is not confined to an elite, English-speaking population within the U.S. It is inclusive. Language matters. Latine embodies that inclusivity – across socioeconomic status, citizenship, education, gender identity, age groups and nations, while honoring the Spanish language in the process.Melissa K. Ochoa does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
1922: Mexico bans Hollywood Portrayals of Latinos get so bad that letters of protest are sent from the Mexican government, and even Woodrow Wilson reportedly tells Hollywood producers, “Please be a little kinder to the Mexicans.” Ramirez — outmaneuvered in his law case and rejected by his love interest as a"savage" — retreats there to be with his"own people" when society won't have him.
It takes nearly 50 years for another Latino actor to win the Oscar, when Puerto Rico-born Benicio del Toro wins in 2001 for his supporting role in “Traffic.” He is nominated again in 2003 for “21 Grams.” Other shows that have since left their mark: The CW's “Jane the Virgin” , the WB's “Greetings from Tucson” , ABC's “Cristela” Netflix's “One Day at a Time” and “Mr. Iglesias” , plus Sofia Vergara's enduring Gloria on “Modern Family” .
Thirty years later, Mercedes Ruehl, who is not always counted as Latina wins the supporting actress Oscar in 1992 for “The Fisher King.” In 2009, Penelope Cruz, who is Spanish and not officially considered Latina, wins the supporting actress Oscar for “Vicky Christina Barcelona” and is nominated in 2010 for her supporting role in “Nine” and in 2007 for her lead role in “Volver.
1983: The drug lord Peak Latino drug lord is reached with Al Pacino's over-the-top performance as Cuban cocaine fiend Tony Montana in “Scarface” . Thomas Gomez, though not Latino, was born in New York to Spanish parents and is considered the first Hispanic to earn a supporting actor nomination in 1948 for “Ride the Pink Horse.”
Nadine E. Velazquez’s role as the maid Catalina Aruca becomes a key character in “My Name Is Earl” . When her character speaks Spanish, she breaks the fourth wall and sends messages to Spanish-speaking viewers. In 2013, Eva Longoria defends the choice to put maids at the center of Lifetime’s Marc Cherry series “Devious Maids” , for which she was executive producer. She says the best way to break stereotypes is to not ignore them.
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