Bobby Pulido Critiques AOC’s Use of “Latino” Terminology

Bobby Pulido, a musician and Democratic House candidate from Texas, appeared on “CNN This Morning” on Wednesday, where he expressed criticism towards Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for using the term “Latino.” This term, which is pronounced “Latin-X,” has gained traction among academics, activists, and entertainers as a gender-neutral alternative to “Latinx” and “Latina,” but it hasn’t gained widespread acceptance.

Pulido remarked that while some individuals in places like New York City or California might adopt the term, “people here don’t talk like that.”

Host Audie Cornish noted that the 2024 election has highlighted a “backlash against progressive policy language,” especially regarding discussions around the word “Latino” within the Latino community.

During the segment, Cornish featured a clip of Ocasio-Cortez critiquing both Democrats and Republicans for embracing the term, suggesting it could be detrimental to the party. She mentioned how numerous Congress members have indicated they do not utilize this terminology, prompting Pulido to share his views.

“Honestly, I don’t use that term, and people here don’t either. It’s not offensive to her, but let’s face it, that’s more of an East Coast thing,” he responded. He added, “No one talks like that in their everyday life. That’s just a fact.”

Pulido indicated that while he doesn’t find the term personally offensive, it’s simply not part of his vernacular.

He went on to discuss how significant shifts are happening in terms of language and context, particularly regarding industries like oil and gas, which dominate his district and provide some of the best-paying jobs in rural areas. “We really need candidates who understand our district. It’s very different from New York,” he argued.

In closing, Pulido remarked that he wouldn’t dictate how Ocasio-Cortez should represent her constituents, but felt that the differences between their districts deserve recognition.

Ocasio-Cortez’s office did not respond to requests for comment from news outlets.

A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2024 indicated that only 47% of Latino respondents were familiar with the word “Latino,” a notable increase from 2019 when only 23% recognized the term.

Moreover, the survey showed that only 4% of participants identified as “Latino,” a figure that has seen little change since 2019 when it stood at 3%. Furthermore, a substantial 75% of those surveyed argued against using the term “Latino” altogether.