When the world presses in, our Latinx communities remind us: échale ganas, que no te dejes. Poets say we are seeds—unburied, unbending—and a recent Instagram post once said we walk by the light of candles lit by our tías and abuelas. This year, I offer another guiding dicho, drawn from the teachings and research of my colegas: choose joy.
If you have yet to take a course with us, now is the time. Our courses help make sense of the political world, trace historical connections, highlight the power of creative expression, and renew our faith in a better future.
For this academic year, I ask that our families’ legacies—their journeys and endurance—be our map. May we navigate with purpose, uplift our stories, and move forward—rooted in community, memory, and the radical act of joy.