The terms Hispanic and Latino/Latina/Latinx are often used interchangeably, but they have different origins and meanings. Here's a brief explanation of each:
Hispanic: This term refers to people who come from, or have ancestry from, Spanish-speaking countries. This includes countries in Latin America (such as Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina) as well as Spain. The term "Hispanic" was created by the U.S. government in the 1970s to categorize people of Spanish-speaking heritage. This term is often used in official government documents and forms, as well as in demographic and statistical analysis.
Latino/Latina/Latinx: This term refers to people who come from, or have ancestry from, Latin American countries. This term encompasses people from Spanish-speaking countries, as well as countries where Portuguese or French are the primary languages (such as Brazil and Haiti). The terms "Latino" and "Latina" are gendered, with "Latino" referring to men and "Latina" referring to women. The term "Latinx" is a more recent gender-neutral alternative that has gained popularity in some communities. This term is often used to describe cultural and social identities, and can also be used to refer to people of mixed cultural or ethnic backgrounds.
It's important to note that not all people who come from Spanish-speaking or Latin American countries identify as Hispanic or Latino/Latina/Latinx, and not all people who identify as Hispanic or Latino/Latina/Latinx have the same cultural or ethnic backgrounds. These terms are complex and can mean different things to different people, so it's important to respect individual preferences and identities.