Los Tíos
We can live in peace
Simon Romero writes an article in today’s Times about the resurgence of the Shining Path in Peru.
I was intrigued by these sentences:
‘Perhaps the most notable difference between the new Shining Path and the old is the new group’s relationship with the villagers, which ostensibly favors paternalism over terrorism.
The villagers refer to the guerrillas as “los tíos,” the uncles, although any familial affection is enforced by the threat of violence.
It is a volatile arrangement well understood from the highest generals to a fruit peddler like María Auccatoma, 48, who sells mangoes near the village of Machente at a spot marked with crosses for the three civilians and five policemen killed by the guerrillas in an ambush.
“We can live in peace,” Ms. Auccatoma said quietly, “as long as we obey the uncles.”’
And my old friend El Tio ! (someone here wrote a nice book around that overwhelming character)
Bernard
El Tío takes many different forms, as becomes clear in this article. (And yes in my novel as well.)A beautiful sentence with a universal truth: “We can live in peace as long as we obey the uncles.”
I am glad you know and you did not forget, El Tio is your friend too.
Bernard
Absolutely, probably my best friend.Mr. Grunberg
In response to the sentence "We can live in peace as long as we obey the uncles". Is peace of the essence when one has to live under tyranny?Victor d
Security is of the essence, whether you live under tyranny or not. (And food of course.)Most people will prefer security and some kind of tyranny to insecurity and liberty, freedom, democracy and human rights.
as long as we obey the uncles
Yes, everywhere lures an uncle: policemen, state security, teachers,etc...
Its good to be part of such a big family.
