by Carlos Reyes Guerrero, Chair 2002-3/2013-15
photo by CRG
Minneapolis welcomed NACCS 45 with a nice spring snow storm. As Board arrived early to prepare for the conference, flights were delayed and heavy snow welcomed them to the city. However, by morning, the snow had stopped. The sun peeked through the clouds for the rest of the week. Despite the lingering cold, participants endured and explored this Minnesota city along with frequent trips to Target in Edina.
photo by Kathy Blackmer Reyes
On Wednesday evening, the Board and the local committee welcomed NACCS attendees with words of welcome and fabulous local musical talent.
Throughout the week, panels, workshops, plenaries, posters, and films demonstrated the diversity of the Chicanx scholarship. The conference that almost did not happen, happened. “It was an amazing conference, and “The Queer Turn” brought about so many needed and great conversations within the academy,” said V. June Pedraza, NACCS Chair 2018.
photo by Kathy Blackmer Reyes
These spaces are important to a generation of scholars and future generations. Lilia Soto, NACCS Secretary (2018-2020), says it best, “Sometimes we forget what such intellectual spaces mean. It is wonderful to be reminded and I thank my students for reminding me of how I felt attending my first NACCS back in 2003.”
photo by Kathy Blackmer Reyes
NACCS conferences are always the work of commitment and dedication to Chicanx scholarship. The spaces created at the conference demonstrate community, collaboration, understanding, but most of all, love. This is NACCS.