Hispanic. Latino. Latina. Latinx. Latine. Chicano. These terms are often used interchangeably, but each carries its own history, politics, and personal meaning. Join the LACOE Latinx/Hispanic Equity & Social Justice Subcommittee for Take Back Our Identities, a Lunch & Learn panel discussion exploring why we identify the way we do and what these labels mean to us as individuals, families, and communities. Panelists from across LACOE will share personal stories, generational perspectives, and reflections on how identity shapes their lived experience and professional practice.

This session will trace the evolution of Latino identity terminology in the United States, from the federal adoption of Hispanic on the 1980 Census to the grassroots emergence of Chicano during the civil rights movement to the gender-inclusive Latinx and Latine of today. Through a moderated panel and open dialogue, we will celebrate the diversity within our community and explore how the language of identity connects to belonging, advocacy, and cultural pride.

This hybrid event is open to all LACOE staff. A light lunch and beverages will be provided for in-person attendees, and a Zoom option will be available for remote participants. Whether you have always known exactly how you identify or are still exploring what these terms mean to you, this conversation is for you. Come ready to listen, share, and learn.