Academics Embrace New Woke Term For ‘Latino’ After Rejection Of ‘Latinx’

Universities, media outlets, museums and other institutions have increasingly been embracing the term “Latine,” a gender-neutral term for people with Latino heritage. Left-wing entities and individuals have previously embraced the term “Latinx,” which is very unpopular with Latinos according to polling data.

Carlos Zavala, vice president at consulting firm Whiteboard Advisors, described usage of “Latine” as being “part of a movement centered on wanting to build and foster an inclusive community,” according to a report from Axios. Zavala’s firm has used the term for reports centered on its work with technology and education groups.

The emergence of the new term comes after academics had been forcing the use of the word “Latinx” over the past several years. “Latinx” has failed to gain traction, however, as it is incredibly unpopular with people of Latino origin.

“Pendejo” and “pinche cabrón” are also surging in popularity to refer to people who use terms like "Latinx" or “Latine” https://t.co/IwbuW4RtFe

— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) April 11, 2024

According to a Gallup poll from 2021, just 4 percent of Hispanic and Latino Americans prefer to be identified as Latinx. 15 percent of respondents preferred the term “Latino” while 23 percent prefer “Hispanic.”

As a result, left-wing thought leaders have increasingly used the term “Latine” since it flows better with language. “I heard somebody else say Latine. And I was just like, that makes more sense, because it flows better. It sounds right in Spanish,” said co-host of the talk show “Desus and Mero,” The Kid Mero in response to the Gallup poll.

Surveys have found that “Latine” has been better received by the Hispanic and Latino community as opposed to Latinx. A recent Axios/Ipsos poll found that 41 percent of respondents were alright with the term.

Younger people expressed more acceptance for the term as opposed to older respondents. In total, 43 percent of respondents between the ages of 18 and 29 said they are comfortable using it, while just 33 percent of those 65 and older said the same.

While “Latine” has fared better than “Latinx,” Latino/a and Hispanic were still the overwhelmingly preferred terms with over 80 percent acceptance. Nation of origin specific descriptors were also much more popular than gender-neutral academics preferred by left-wing entities.