In June, we returned to in-person professional development meetings at the College of Central Florida for the first time in more than a year.
Natalie Asorey, lecturer and associate director at the University of Florida’s The Agency, presented “How to connect with Latinx communities in Florida.”
The 5 takeaways from her presentation include:
- Language is important, but translation is not enough. To connect on a deeper level, look beyond translation to see what is universally true.
- If you are confused about whether to use the term “Hispanic” or “Latino,” you’re not alone. “Hispanic” describes the language whereas “Latino” describes geographic origin, i.e., Latin America. Neither term describes identity or culture – and it’s best to use more specific descriptions, such as Puerto Rican, Mexican, Cuban, etc.
- Most Latino adults have never heard the term Latinx.
- Immerse yourself in different cultures and unlearn assumptions.
- Understand how and why Latinos consume media. Latinos spend more than 30 hours a week on smartphones and more than 12 hours a week listening to radio.