General Discussion

Ms. Toad

(38,868 posts)

93. Latino is male (o is male, a is female)

Mon Dec 6, 2021, 07:47 PM

Dec 2021

The male is inappropriately used to refer generically to everyone. We've been fighting that battle in English at last since I was a recent college grad in the late 70s. With the greater visibility of non-binary individuals (for whom neither male nor female is appropriate) it is even more important to toss the old male=everyone assumptions that are built into most language.

It is not a matter of me telling Latin American individuals what to do. It is a matter of respecting and supportng the minoriy voices within that population who are saying the same thing about their language that I have said about Englis for decades.

See, e.g.

https://www.hrc.org/magazine/2021-early-fall/latinx-and-proud
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/26895269.2020.1830222?journalCode=wijt21

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Democrats fall flat with 'Latinx' language [View all] brooklynite Dec 2021 OP

I've Always Found 'Hispanic' Works Fine, Sir The Magistrate Dec 2021 #1

Yet that only refers to Spanish speaking people iemanja Dec 2021 #32

As You Wish The Magistrate Dec 2021 #35

It's just the definition. As iemanja says. Hortensis Dec 2021 #47

This Still Seems All Rather Airy, Ma'am The Magistrate Dec 2021 #50

:) No, I'm pretty sure they're all used to others confusing the terms. Hortensis Dec 2021 #171

New Mexicans descended from Spanish and Native Americans, Sur Zobra Dec 2021 #162

Some significant Brazillian populations in Colorado. They are merely referred to as Brazilian hlthe2b Dec 2021 #69

Latino and Hispanic are US Census terms LeftInTX Dec 2021 #119

I was responding to the concern over Brazilians not being Hispanic with the suggestion that hlthe2b Dec 2021 #122

The Hispanic community has spoken. jimfields33 Dec 2021 #2

Yes, me too. Cracklin Charlie Dec 2021 #12

Same here. I have no clue ForgedCrank Dec 2021 #179

I asked about it here, once. Cracklin Charlie Dec 2021 #180

Excuse me but HISpanic? AncientAndy Dec 2021 #146

Welcome to DU! n/t GP6971 Dec 2021 #147

The Carriage Changes Back To a Pumpkin By Midnight, You Know.... The Magistrate Dec 2021 #148

The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain. AncientAndy Dec 2021 #152

Sin Novedad The Magistrate Dec 2021 #155

OMG!! ROFL!! LeftInTX Dec 2021 #158

If that is the issue... CrackityJones75 Dec 2021 #3

Is that your standard approach to voters? brooklynite Dec 2021 #5

I am not running for office. CrackityJones75 Dec 2021 #10

Thank-you, well said JohnSJ Dec 2021 #14

Honestly, I think it's important to listen to those it regards jimfields33 Dec 2021 #15

If you don't respect someone's culture, why would they listen to you? Sympthsical Dec 2021 #18

✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ msfiddlestix Dec 2021 #80

Exactly! CrackityJones75 Dec 2021 #97

to unreasonable voters who make things impossible treestar Dec 2021 #52

Latino voters seem to bit a bit of a block when it comes to people using Latinx however. NT cinematicdiversions Dec 2021 #61

Do they like it or no? treestar Dec 2021 #95

Only a very small subset and they're mostly gay LeftInTX Dec 2021 #120

Don't write off '22 yet. The infrastructure bills could shake things up. brush Dec 2021 #175

Latinx is a typical Americanism in its use of a short cut to include both genders... brush Dec 2021 #4

Yes Dorian Gray Dec 2021 #13

Latino is better than Latin. Latino is actually gender encompassing LeftInTX Dec 2021 #17

Latino is the masculine descriptor Caliman73 Dec 2021 #20

That's what I meant. Since we're talking about politics and a voting bloc, we would be referring to LeftInTX Dec 2021 #27

But then the question is, "Why Latinos?" Caliman73 Dec 2021 #29

So what are you proposing for the headline? LeftInTX Dec 2021 #51

I am proposing nothing for the headline. Just seeing what you think about "gendered language". Caliman73 Dec 2021 #62

Non-gender specific is why Latinx was created but if it's unpopular... brush Dec 2021 #106

Agreed. Caliman73 Dec 2021 #116

Your last sentence works. It's a good suggestion. brush Dec 2021 #117

Mi gente! LeftInTX Dec 2021 #151

Well, the English genderless term is Latin ... but that comes with some historical baggage ... eppur_se_muova Dec 2021 #187

This is why we should all have language classes in high school sir pball Dec 2021 #102

The thing is Latino and Latina are not even Spanish words. They're also American..LOL LeftInTX Dec 2021 #113

See post 4. It's just an Americanism...you know here abbreviations... brush Dec 2021 #156

Maybe it's 1000 Colombianas and a single (very happy) Mexicano. old as dirt Dec 2021 #91

I'm sure there are Latino and Latina people Dorian Gray Dec 2021 #39

The discussion beyond this post is great Dorian Gray Dec 2021 #64

I would never use it.. Cha Dec 2021 #126

Most I know use Latino(s) to self-describe themselves. Ace Rothstein Dec 2021 #6

Nope. Latinx was flat out rejected by Mexicans in California. MenloParque Dec 2021 #7

It is a silly made up word. dalton99a Dec 2021 #8

Yup, unwanted and unused by the general public Amishman Dec 2021 #77

Its usage in many parts of Texas is a non-issue. Torchlight Dec 2021 #9

that's good to hear, maybe we just need to have regionality in mind when using the term? cadoman Dec 2021 #135

We could also stand to eliminate the term, "neo-liberal" as well. world wide wally Dec 2021 #11

That's a tricky term. It's meaning is just about opposite to liberalism. brush Dec 2021 #19

That has to do with "classical liberal", which was more an economic idea, than a political ideology. Caliman73 Dec 2021 #24

Yes, used to put liberals/Democrats in the "Them" category, not progressive, both sides. betsuni Dec 2021 #98

You do know that neoliberalism is a specific economic stance, right? Cuthbert Allgood Dec 2021 #177

Latinos in my life really, really hate it Sympthsical Dec 2021 #16

See post 4. It's really a typical Americanism but if Hispanics... brush Dec 2021 #21

This came up in my job Sympthsical Dec 2021 #41

If it's regional that a whole other complexity. But it seems Latinx... brush Dec 2021 #99

How else are we going to let the Hispanics know we find their culture sexist cinematicdiversions Dec 2021 #25

I blame machismx Sympthsical Dec 2021 #46

Ha-ha! You win the internet! old as dirt Dec 2021 #112

Same Here ProfessorGAC Dec 2021 #34

Is this in the Midwest? Sympthsical Dec 2021 #48

Illinois ProfessorGAC Dec 2021 #75

I'm not surprised. The machismo associated with many Hispanic men have lead many men hlthe2b Dec 2021 #22

It makes about as much sense as "peoplx" LeftInTX Dec 2021 #30

Chalk and cheese Celerity Dec 2021 #36

Spanish (and French, Italian, and the other Romance tongues) is gendered. sir pball Dec 2021 #108

It is used by Anglos who don't actually know any Latinos. MineralMan Dec 2021 #23

How did "latinx" become the Democrats' fault? It originated in academia and the Latino Scrivener7 Dec 2021 #26

Biden used it LeftInTX Dec 2021 #31

Ah! A Democrat used the term once! I guess that DOES make it a Democratic creation. Scrivener7 Dec 2021 #45

I think there is media that seek out nominal concerns Torchlight Dec 2021 #37

EXACTLY! CrackityJones75 Dec 2021 #100

The head of Texas Dems Texas Hispanic Caucus uses it LeftInTX Dec 2021 #132

I clicked the first link. "Latino" is used throughout it. Scrivener7 Dec 2021 #170

It's a trendy academic rebranding of an American ethnic group Bucky Dec 2021 #185

The Democratic Party certainly been using it quite a bit: Jose Garcia Dec 2021 #191

I usually use Latino or Latina, whichever is gender-appropriate, and often just Hispanic. Aristus Dec 2021 #28

I'm not sure if Chicano is pejorative, exactly, Haggard Celine Dec 2021 #56

It is absolutely not perjorative. sir pball Dec 2021 #111

They should just stop using it. Behind the Aegis Dec 2021 #33

I haven't seen or heard this, but it would at least make more sense. old as dirt Dec 2021 #90

It's pronounced Latin X...Like Malcom X LeftInTX Dec 2021 #101

Ha-ha! old as dirt Dec 2021 #109

It's not a Spanish word iemanja Dec 2021 #121

My wife considers herself a bit of a bruja. old as dirt Dec 2021 #181

So she doesn't say brujx? Bucky Dec 2021 #186

I disagree. old as dirt Dec 2021 #189

Actually WHITT Dec 2021 #38

"the objections are nothing but Carville-speak" TwilightZone Dec 2021 #43

You Might Want To WHITT Dec 2021 #49

"Bendixen & Amandi International, a top Democratic firm specializing in Latino outreach." brooklynite Dec 2021 #54

You Keep Tellin' Yourself That WHITT Dec 2021 #58

Would an NBC story make you feel better? brooklynite Dec 2021 #83

You Need To Check #66 WHITT Dec 2021 #136

I live in Brooklyn Dorian Gray Dec 2021 #169

Exactly WHO WHITT Dec 2021 #172

I used a specific word Dorian Gray Dec 2021 #183

Majority? WHITT Dec 2021 #188

This message was self-deleted by its author Dorian Gray Dec 2021 #182

Why not Politica?...or Politicx? old as dirt Dec 2021 #59

Congressman Ruben Gallego LeftInTX Dec 2021 #160

40% is not a majority treestar Dec 2021 #104

And it is 100% rejected Sur Zobra Dec 2021 #163

My understanding is that "Latina" is correct when the reference is exclusively female FakeNoose Dec 2021 #40

Yes. Elessar Zappa Dec 2021 #44

It started WITH LatinX who coined it, and ended with Latinos/Latinas Hortensis Dec 2021 #42

No we should double down like we did with No bail for shoplifters and defund the police. cinematicdiversions Dec 2021 #63

no 'we' don't do that bigtree Dec 2021 #65

Yes! Exactly! CrackityJones75 Dec 2021 #103

Sounds like a lot of the highly-paid consultants really aren't all that worthy bullwinkle428 Dec 2021 #53

Once again, regardless of culture, the male/binary rules!!! Ms. Toad Dec 2021 #55

Hispanic is gender-neutral and that is what I am told (in CO, at least) they wish to use. hlthe2b Dec 2021 #68

Although othr posters in this thread Ms. Toad Dec 2021 #79

As I have said previously, I am quite happy to respect the requested terms someone indicates. hlthe2b Dec 2021 #87

Latino is male (o is male, a is female) Ms. Toad Dec 2021 #93

Battles? I don't want to fight any battles. old as dirt Dec 2021 #127

I didn't say you should change now you refer to her. Ms. Toad Dec 2021 #142

What's Caucana? LeftInTX Dec 2021 #165

This message was self-deleted by its author old as dirt Dec 2021 #176

Indeed it is just that--your wanting to tell milllions of culturally distinct people how they should hlthe2b Dec 2021 #168

No. Ms. Toad Dec 2021 #173

okay.... hlthe2b Dec 2021 #174

I think you might find this WAPO article from 2020 interesting. It is paywalled, but hlthe2b Dec 2021 #92

The article does not raise the voices of trans/non-binary voices Ms. Toad Dec 2021 #94

Were you able to access the full article? Because an alternative was discussed hlthe2b Dec 2021 #96

non paywalled link Celerity Dec 2021 #131

thanks, Celerity hlthe2b Dec 2021 #167

Latino is gender neutral depending on context Zeitghost Dec 2021 #74

Latino is no more gender neutral than the use of generic "he" in English. Ms. Toad Dec 2021 #78

It's the proper term Zeitghost Dec 2021 #81

It reeks of binary/male privilege Ms. Toad Dec 2021 #84

You are aware that many Latinos find it insulting Zeitghost Dec 2021 #129

I am aware of how the trans latinx individuals Iknow view it. Ms. Toad Dec 2021 #141

Should my wife call herself a negrx instead of a negra? old as dirt Dec 2021 #118

It would be a little silly if she identifies as female. Ms. Toad Dec 2021 #144

The point is, don't be a pendejx Bucky Dec 2021 #184

I'm sure part of this is regional and age-related tishaLA Dec 2021 #57

good thing the term didn't originate with them bigtree Dec 2021 #60

Eh WHITT Dec 2021 #66

I never had any idea what was wrong with TheFarseer Dec 2021 #67

I agree that it's stupid and tone deaf senseandsensibility Dec 2021 #70

As a general rule, I think it's polite to refer to a group the way they Tomconroy Dec 2021 #71

Yes! senseandsensibility Dec 2021 #72

My wife would adore your screen name! Tomconroy Dec 2021 #73

Suppose they don't agree treestar Dec 2021 #107

Can I check on the pronunciation? muriel_volestrangler Dec 2021 #76

Yep...Latin-X LeftInTX Dec 2021 #157

That word has been soundly rejected for a year or so now ismnotwasm Dec 2021 #82

That's what I want to know MustLoveBeagles Dec 2021 #123

Simple question. LiberatedUSA Dec 2021 #85

My wife uses Gringa and Gringo. Should she use Gringx? old as dirt Dec 2021 #86

LOL LOL LOL LeftInTX Dec 2021 #130

Gringx is way too close to Gingrich, as in Newt. I reject all Newts! Hekate Dec 2021 #153

It all depends on the person RFCalifornia Dec 2021 #88

I live in the Southwest with a large DenaliDemocrat Dec 2021 #89

Are these the same folks that came up with "Build Back Better?" jalan48 Dec 2021 #105

No...It's been around for awhile LeftInTX Dec 2021 #110

Thanks for the info. Maybe the Dems responsible thought it would catch on here. jalan48 Dec 2021 #114

So we should all go back to.... CrackityJones75 Dec 2021 #115

It's the dominant term in academia iemanja Dec 2021 #124

to me is a ridiculous word mshasta Dec 2021 #125

I am so sick of your Dem bashing posts tenderfoot Dec 2021 #128

I don't think he's trying to be a pendejx about it Bucky Dec 2021 #190

Origins Celerity Dec 2021 #133

Thanks for sharing this information. I had just MerryBlooms Dec 2021 #134

Just A Reminder WHITT Dec 2021 #137

it many cases it isn't 'merely opinion', especially an article as footnoted & documented as this one Celerity Dec 2021 #139

HEH WHITT Dec 2021 #150

No. Celerity Dec 2021 #154

Swing And A Miss WHITT Dec 2021 #159

No. All you are posting is drive-by, pretty much content free FUD replies, containing no specificity Celerity Dec 2021 #161

Eh WHITT Dec 2021 #164

Oh thanks...I remember reading something about Oaxaca and this years ago LeftInTX Dec 2021 #138

Politico reporter backs down after facing Twitter storm for sexist Kamala Harris post (OP co-author) Celerity Dec 2021 #140

Gustavo Arrellano, one of the LA Times excellent columnists, commented on the use of "woke" ... Hekate Dec 2021 #143

Philosophical descendants of armchair Aztecs LeftInTX Dec 2021 #145

You just made me laugh out loud, something I seldom find occasion to do. Wokosxs -- omg roflmao Hekate Dec 2021 #149

Maybe stop with the practice of labels on people that make us comfortable. alphafemale Dec 2021 #166

Clumsy-sounding word, rejected by a majority of a voting base we really need. Paladin Dec 2021 #178

AFAIK, progressive Latinas came up with the term, radius777 Dec 2021 #192

We wouldn't be Dems if we didn't repeatedly hand the Repukes a two-by-four ... 11 Bravo Dec 2021 #193