Chacatero.
It took a while to figure out what exactly that word
meant. Now I understand it so well that
it makes me sick.
The best way I can describe it is as a combination of
“brown-noser”, “beggar”, and “wanna-be”
– only with a more insulting intent.
Jake’s friends who come over to the house get called it by
the men and other kids in the street, just because they are going to the "gringos house". My
friend Donald gets called it anytime we’re together in the village. When Ruth comes over to work, or even to just
bring her daughter Joselyn over to play with Andrea, they call her chacatero as
she walks up to our gate.
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| axel gets called chacatero for being so close to our families |
Because “public opinion” virtually controls the village,
being called a chacatero can be like a death-blow that keeps people from being
our friends. Nobody wants to be made fun
of… and the majority of the people in
our village lack the self-confidence to stand up for themselves.
I could delve into all the causes and theories we always
discuss as to why this phenomenon exists here. Educational, social, and economical issues
definitely play a part. Lack of exposure
to other types of people, the assumption that anyone who spends time
with the gringos is “in it for themselves”, and good old fashion jealousy, all
play a role as well.
But its not that simple.
There are more layers. And there
is more pain.
I can’t even count the times my son has been deeply hurt because of this. Even as a kid
(and now a teenager) he knew it when friends were avoiding him in
order to not be made fun of. Many of his friendships have come to an end because kids gave in to the pressure. A friend one day... would completely stop talking to him the
next.
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| mynor gets called chacatero but he could care less |
Its come into play with all of our friends in the
village, as well as all of the boys in the academy. For some we’ve seen incredible growth and
maturity as they’ve made decisions to ignore what people say and be loyal to true friendship.
But amazingly, after almost 7 years here, its still a very real
thing. 2 days ago, one of Jake’s close friends
ignored him completely when he walked by his house. When Jake greeted him from the street, he was
treated as if he wasn’t even there. Later on, his friend told him he was sorry,
but that he knew his older brothers (all men) would have made fun of him.
Just tonight, I was walking up the street with a local friend
of mine, when a group of men started yelling “chacatero” at him. After several times, he finally stopped, told
me he’d be right back, and walked over to confront them. They wouldn’t say it to his face. When he caught back up with me, he said he was
sorry...
That particular friend is the exception! Most don’t handle those moments with that kind of
confidence.
Honestly, its one of the most difficult things about
living in the village of buena vista.
Ultimately, calling someone a "chacatero" is as much an insult against us as it is them. After all, they are being made fun of for being our friends.
It's a very strange feeling to deal with on almost a daily basis...
