Latinx Culture

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Studies that examine the cultural practices, traditions, and values of Latinx communities.

History of Latin America: Understanding the history of Latin America is critical to understanding Latinx culture. It includes topics such as pre-Columbian civilizations, Spanish colonization, and the impact of European imperialism.
Spanish Language: Learning Spanish is important in Latinx culture as this is the language of the majority of Latin American countries. In addition, it is also an essential component of Latinx identity.
Race and Ethnicity: Latinx culture is very diverse, and understanding the various racial and ethnic identities that make up the Latinx community is important for understanding its cultural nuances and challenges.
Religion: Religion plays a significant role in Latinx culture, with many adhering to Catholicism due to Spain's influence during colonialism.
Gender and Sexual Identity: The gender and sexual identity dynamics of Latinx culture are complex and can determine one's acceptance within the community. Understanding these dynamics is important to support and embrace the LGBTQ+ Latinx community.
Immigration and Migration: Understanding the role of immigration and migration within Latinx culture is critical, given the number of immigrants from Latin America coming to the United States in recent years.
Food and Cuisine: Latinx cuisine is diverse, flavorful, and often considered one of the most delicious across the globe, representing the diversity that exists within the community.
Art and Literature: Latinx art and literature are often used as a tool to express identity, meaning, and cultural values.
Music and Dance: Latinx music and dance are an integral part of the culture and reflect the community's cultural origins and dynamic diversity.
Politics and Social Movements: As Latinx communities continue to face challenges of discrimination and marginalization, it is important to understand the political and social landscape of the community.
Family Traditions and Values: Family ties are essential to Latinx culture, and understanding the deep-rooted family traditions and values that unite the community is critical.
Sports: Sports play an essential role in Latinx culture, with soccer being the most popular sport across Latin America. Understanding the passion and cultural significance of sports is important to understand Latinx culture.
Fashion and Style: Latinx fashion and style often reflect the vibrant, colorful, and lively nature of the community.
Health and Wellness: Cultural beliefs and practices related to health and wellness are significant in Latinx culture. Understanding traditional and alternative medicine practices is essential in this context.
Mexican-American Culture: This culture is a blend of Mexican and American cultures. It has its unique expressions, foods, and traditions.
Puerto Rican Culture: Puerto Rican culture is a combination of Taíno, Spanish, and African cultures. It has a unique music form known as reggaeton and salsa, among others.
Cuban-American Culture: This culture is characterized by its food, music, and religion. Cuban-Americans also have a distinctive political landscape.
Dominican-American Culture: Dominican-American culture is a blend of various cultures including African, Spanish, and Taíno. Their country’s music, merengue, and bachata, are some of the most recognizable cultural touchstones.
Native-Latinx Culture: This culture includes indigenous cultures from Central and South America.
Afro-Latinx Culture: Afro-Latinx culture represents the culture of people of African descent in Latin America.
Central American Culture: Central American culture is the culture of the countries in Central America, including Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
South American Culture: South American culture varies from country to country such as Argentine, Brazilian, Chilean, Colombian, Peruvian, and Uruguayan.
LGBTQ Latinx Culture: LGBTQ Latinx culture represents the intersection of Latinx culture and the LGBTQ community.
Mestizo Culture: It is a culture that represents people of mixed European and Indigenous American heritage, predominantly found in Mexico or Central America.
Artistic, Literary and Cultural Production of Latinx People: This culture represents the arts, literature, and cultural productions of the Latinx diaspora.
Religion and Spirituality in Latinx Culture: Latinx culture is influenced by its history and has a wide religious or spiritual diversity from Catholicism to various forms of spiritual syncretism.
"Latinx is a neologism in American English which is used to refer to people of Latin American cultural or ethnic identity in the United States."
"The gender-neutral ⟨-x⟩ suffix replaces the ⟨-o/-a⟩ ending of Latino and Latina that are typical of grammatical gender in Spanish."
"Words used for similar purposes include Latin@, Latine, and the simple Latin."
"The term was first seen online around 2004."
"It has since been used in social media by activists, students, and academics who seek to advocate for non-binary and genderqueer individuals."
"Surveys of Hispanic and Latino Americans have found that the vast majority prefer other terms such as Hispanic and Latina/Latino to describe themselves."
"Only 2–3% use Latinx."
"A 2020 Pew Research Center survey found that roughly three-quarters of U.S. Latinos were not aware of the term Latinx."
"of those aware of it, 33% (i.e., about 8% of all U.S. Latinos) said it should be used to describe their racial or ethnic group."
"The Royal Spanish Academy style guide does not recognize the suffix -x."
"Critics say the term does not follow traditional grammar, is difficult to pronounce, and is disrespectful toward conventional Spanish."
"Both supporters and opponents have cited linguistic imperialism as a reason for supporting or opposing the use of the term."
"Democratic members of the Black and Puerto Rican caucuses introduced legislation to ban its use in government documents."
"They cited cultural appropriation by Americanizers who disfigure the Spanish language."