Learning to use the word Latino

     

      Placing an X on the word Latino, such as LatinX, has recently become popular among USA English speakers and is cropping up everywhere. Why is this? Well, the reason seems to be that the word Latino is being perceived as always being gender-specific when that is not necessarily the case.

      This idea  seems based on a change in the gender that the word sometimes assumes when referring to a female. For example,  female would say "I am Latina." and a male would say-"I am Latino." From that, it is concluded that the word Latino is always male. Absolutely not so! 

      You see, the word can be both gender-specific and neutral. So learning when it is and isn't would solve the misunderstanding issue.   
 


      The word Latino is always gender-neutral when referring to Latinos as a mixed category.  For example, "I belong to the Latino culture." Or "Latinos are known to enjoy spicy food."  "Or "Many Latinos are tri-lingual. " In those cases,  the word "Latino" or "Latinos" is gender-neutral because it is referring to all Latinos, not just males.

     So when the noun Latino is used to refer to a people, it has no gender. It only requires a change of gender specificity by adding an "A" or using an "O" when it is referring specifically to females or males. For example: "She is Latina. I am Latina!"  "He is Latino." I am Latino!"

      However, as stated before, no change is necessary for a mixed group: "They are Latino"  which is referring to both male and females.  The learning of that simple rule makes the adding of that ugly X at the letter's suffix totally unnecessary.  Avoiding to learn that simple rule and preferring to add an X indicates a refusal to make that small effort and conveys inexcusable mental laziness or disregard for the integrity of the Spanish language.


     Please note that  tampering with the Spanish words in that arbitray manner can be perceived as being disrespectful of Latino culture. It is similar to Latinos screwing around with English words and changing their spelling in order to avoid learning a simple grammatical rule.

     Such an unauthorized attempt of spelling modification in order to make learning English easier, by Latinos would engender Anglo American and Afro American resentment.  It would be  met by angered opposition and shouts of "Learn to Speak English or go home!" from MAGAS who would consider it a dangerous influence on American culture.

     So why not show the same respect to other cultures which you expect other cultures to show towards yours? After all, mutual respect makes for better human relations.  Right?



     Please also note that the X comes accross as WHATEVER. Or more specifically as: "Latino whatever!" So in that sense, although not intended to be- it is definitely derogatory.

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