Filipinx/Filipino

As noted on VICE, whether one identifies as Filipinx or Filipino is an ongoing debate for people of Philippine origin or descent, sparking discussions on identity, colonialism, and the power of language.

In September 2020, Dictionary.com released the word “Filipinx,” meant as an alternative to the “Filipino” and “Filipina” binary terms used to describe those living or who have origins in the Philippines and living in the U.S. Some, mostly those who grew up in the Philippines, argue that “Filipino” is already a gender-neutral term because the Filipino language itself doesn’t differentiate between genders. Meanwhile, others, mostly from the large Filipino diaspora, say “Filipino” and “Filipina” are sexist, holdovers from the gendered Spanish that influenced the country’s languages. The debate is highlighting differences between generations, cultures, and nations.