Cultural Insights for Planners: Understanding the Terms Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx

Abstract

Planners use various terms—Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx—to refer to people of Latin American descent and from Spanish-speaking countries. Understanding the differences among these terms is relevant to planning given that Hispanics/Latin/o/a/x are a fast-growing group in the United States and terms have evolved over time and differ between users. I ask three questions: Why do planners need to better understand the ethnonyms Hispanic/Latin/o/a/x? How can planners understand the evolution of Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx terminology? Which strategies can help planners to decide which terms to use? Recommendations for practicing planners include hiring more diverse planners; developing a context-specific manual of style; organizing conversations with local organizations, their state APA chapter, or planning school about ethno-racial identity; mapping identities; and creating equity plans at the department or city level. By becoming more culturally competent, planners can plan for and with the Hispanic/Latin/o/a/x community more effectively.

Keywords:

• academia
• Hispanic
• Latino
• Latinx
• planners

Notes

Notes

1 Here I use Hispanics/Latin/o/a/x because it is inclusive of all the terms that are discussed in the article: Hispanic, Latino, Latina, and Latinx.

2 It is estimated that about 56% of unauthorized immigrants in the United States are from Mexico. Still, there are a growing number from Central America: Guatemala (7%), El Salvador (7%), and Honduras (3%; García et al., 2019; Passel & Cohn, 2018).

3 There is much relevant work on this important population (Betancur, 2002; Cordova, 1999; García et al., 2019; Giusti et al., 2012; González et al., 2012; Irazábal & Farhat, 2008; Irázabal & Gómez-Barris, 2008; Lara, 2012; Sandoval, 2012; Vasquez, 2009).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ivis García

IVIS GARCÍA, AICP ([email protected]), is an assistant professor at the University of Utah with research interests in the areas of housing, community development, and engagement.