Thread by @DataDrivenMD

Despite what you may have heard, there’s no such thing as “Latinx Heritage Month”

The terms Hispanic and Latino/a/x are not interchangeable: there are substantive domestic policy (Census counts, redistricting) and foreign policy (immigration, aide) differences

In addition to the substantive policy implications, there's a nuance to the use of the two terms that is lost on most on #here:
🔸“Hispanic" acknowledges colonialism at the expense of LGBTQ+ inclusivity
🔸”Latinx” is LGBTQ+ inclusive at the expense of historical erasure

I get that it’s confusing to keep track of all these terms. When you’re speaking with an individual or group, it’s *generally* ok to *reflect back* the term they’re using to self-identify. An obvious exception: misappropriating a national month of recognition.

TL;DR: unless you mean to exclude persons of Caribbean and Filipino descent (among others), don't take it upon yourself to re-name “Hispanic Heritage Month” to “Latinx Heritage Month”

Addendum: there’s nothing woke about using “Latinx” incorrectly, and 99.9% of non-Latinx folks (+25% of Latinx) are using it incorrectly

How/when do Latinx folks use the term “Latinx” incorrectly?

Lots of ways, but most commonly: assuming it applies to persons of Caribbean descent— that’s not necessarily true, and, even when it *might*, the use of the term Latinx obfuscates or misappropriates the African diaspora

Recognizing the unique history of *each* Caribbean nation is important to understanding how foreign policy decisions have led to things like a humanitarian crisis in Haiti that has prompted mass emigration.

And while we’re on the topic: let’s not forget that much of the Caribbean was inhabited by Indigenous communities. The term “Latinx” completely overlooks this fact, too

TL; DR (this time for real): It’s *Hispanic* Heritage Month, and don’t use the term “Latinx” if you’re not Latinx unless you really, really mean it