The terms Hispanic, Latino and Latinx are expressions of social justice and political movements to empower people of Latin American descent living in the U.S. They are not attempts to force individuals to identify one way or the other. 1/

The term Latinx is an expression of the most recent of these movements. It is not just an attempt to avoid gendered language and include lgtbq ppl, but to bring attention to the ethnic diversity whithin the Hispanic/Latino population, including Black and indigenous communites 2/

So if you are waging a war against this term, as many seem to be doing this weekend on this platform, bear in mind you are attacking this movement. If that’s what you are doing, then say it. 3/

As for the idiomatic argument —that the “x” is an affront to the purity of the Spanish language—, in Spanish we also use words such as sandwich all the time and no one takes offense. 4/

For more on the history of the term Latinx, no sea bruto y lea los libros de @SpanglishKid @paoramos o este modesto ensayo mio en @NewYorker https://bit.ly/3foZLuK