The Kids Are in Charge by Taft Jessica K.;

Author:Taft, Jessica K.; [Taft, Jessica K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: SOC026000 Social Science / Sociology / General
Publisher: New York University Press

Difference, Conflict, and Ambiguity in the Role of the Colaborador

Individual colaboradores engage with the multiplicity of the colaborador role in different ways, with each person emphasizing some parts of the role more than others. Some emphasize being teachers while others see themselves as more like family members or as compañeros and friends. Graciela noted that “each colaborador has their own personality: there are some with a lot of humility, others with only a little humility, others who are grumpy.” Marco said, “Each colaborador has their own way of working. Some have a particular methodology, others just have the experience of being organized themselves.” As these NATs and the examples above make clear, colaboradores are not all the same in their interpretation and implementation of the role, and the roles available to a given colaborador are shaped by their own identities, most especially gender and age.21

In addition to these differences, colaboradores also make distinctions between those who were former NATs and child participants in the movement and those who were not. The ex-NATs have a distinctive sense of obligation to the movement, and they talk frequently about wanting to give back to the organizations that meant so much to them as children. They also talk about themselves as being role models for the current NATs in a way that the other colaboradores do not. Juan discussed with me how he feels that he and the other ex-NAT colaboradores, many of whom have gone on to university and professional careers, can be examples and can show the kids what is possible. Enrique also described how he thinks his years of experience as a delegate in the movement give him a deeper and more personal sense of what the NATs are going through. He was quick to point out that he didn’t think that the other colaboradores don’t understand the kids, or that they were not important and valuable participants in the movement, but simply that his own experiences give him a different kind of understanding and personal connection to the NATs. The transition from delegate to colaborador can be a difficult one, but ex-NATs who become colaboradores feel a powerful emotional affinity with the current NATs and regularly articulate their feelings of gratitude for what the movement has done for them. The movement also continues to be a central and defining space in their lives.

Of the colaboradores who are not ex-NATs, several have been involved in the movement since its founding years. Some of these individuals were among the youth in the JOC who helped to create MANTHOC; others were adults who were already supporting the JOC youth during this period or got involved in the movement in its early years. These elders are highly respected by both the younger colaboradores and the current NATs for their deep historical knowledge and enduring commitment to the movement. Their place in the movement is somewhat distinct. Younger colaboradores look to them for advice and guidance as they take on their new role, and these

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