Language is considered a dynamic part of cultures. It is our means of social interaction, our heritage and part of individual identities.

However, despite the critical role of language in our everyday lives, it soon becomes a battleground when social change begins to challenge the norm.   

Spanish is known as a heavily gendered language. Words ending with –o and –a are categorized as masculine or feminine, respectively. When speaking to a mixed gender group, the –o ending is utilized.

In Latin countries, it is evident that language plays a role in intersectionality, or the overlapping of social identities as they relate to discrimination and oppression, as some Latin countries are against non-gender conforming individuals, evident by the lack of support systems for LGBTQ youth.

The term “Latinx” has been a stranger to many individuals on the Iowa State for several years.

A few years ago, Latinx arose to meet the need for an all-inclusive term for the Latino community. Some argue that Latino and Latin@ were not effective ways to include individuals who fell outside of the gender binary.

Latinx was created to promote inclusion of gender fluid and non-gender conforming individuals. Latino Americans are creating Latinx for their culture as it falls in the halfway point between Latino culture and American culture. It was not intended to be a change for the entire Latino culture or the entire Spanish language, as some opponents perceive. 

Following the protests that occurred during the fall semester, many people of color declared they did not feel welcome or included on campus. 

“Those who want to learn more want to be more aware and educated of their privileges and identities,” said Griselda Murguia, a junior in sociology. “There are also those who don’t think they’re doing anything wrong, and when they don’t understand, they push it away.” 

Murguia, co-president of Latinx Student Initiatives, said that there is a lack of dialogue about inclusion because people are not comfortable speaking about topics, which they are not educated about, and experiences they have not had.

This led the organization to change their name from Latin@ Student Initiatives to its present name. The change was also intended to draw students from other cultures.

“It shows we are more aware and accepting of different identities in society and not sticking to tradition. If we do, nothing would be changing,” said Murguia.

Latinx is certainly not the final solution to promoting inclusion in the Latino community. Some traditional believers care more about preserving their race, which includes language, and they do not believe in altering the Spanish language to be more inclusive.

There are also other issues beyond homophobia, including racism and colorism between races, as well as sexism within the LGBTQ community and the machismo nature of the Latino community, that make inclusion difficult to achieve.