Dia del Amor y la Amistad

HTI En Conjunto Association builds relationships strengthening a support network for Latine scholars in religion and theology. ECA celebrates el Dia del Amor y la Amistad to highlight the value of these friendships.

Neomi & Jacqueline

We have seen each other through the highs of jobs and tenure and the lows of doctoral anomie and health crises. In good times and in bad, we were never truly alone.

-Drs. Neomi DeAnda & Jacqueline Hidalgo

There is this academic myth of the lone genius who gets ahead through long hours of solitary toil. Of course, the study of religion and theology means many hours, and sometimes days, where one’s only relationship is with texts. Yet, because the Hispanic Theological Initiative (HTI) grows out of en conjunto, we and our ideas are better together, and HTI’s network affirms relationship. It makes sure Latine scholars connect with one another. And, while many experience isolation in the academy at large, we experienced HTI as an important site of love amongst scholars. However, that is because we were lucky enough to find each other during the very first weekend we interviewed for the doctoral fellowship, before we were even doctoral students. Through the years, we have striven together and challenged each other, both intellectually and ethically. We have seen each other through the highs of jobs and tenure, as well as the lows of doctoral anomie and health crises. In good times and in bad, we were never truly alone. Thank you, HTI, for bringing us together and providing a space of en conjunto all these years, for nurturing a broad network of scholars, and for always affirming that relationship is central to our lives.