American Dirt

The first part of Chapter 13 consists of flashbacks recounting Acapulco’s descent into violence. The chapter focuses on the dangers posed to journalists during the cartel war, alluding to Sebastián’s death at the hands of Los Jardineros. For example, during the bloody weekend that prompted Sebastián to write the article, Acapulco Falls, two journalists were murdered (alongside a politician, a priest, and other locals). Several months later, a man bursts into Lydia’s shop and announces that a journalist was gunned down. Unable to reach Sebastián, Lydia runs to the scene, but stops short when she nears the corpse. Fear and anguish keep her from moving closer: “She stopped because she didn’t want to go any closer. She didn’t want to see. Her husband lying there in the puddle of his spent life” (124). Lydia is relieved to learn that the dead journalist isn’t Sebastián, morbidly thinking it is “some other widow’s turn that day” (124). Although she disapproves of the risks Sebastián takes, her objections go unspoken.

The second part of the chapter, which takes place in the present, brings two dark themes to the fore: racism and sexual violence. Lydia sits with Julia and Neli during breakfast at the Casa del Migrante in Huehuetoca. The two Guatemalans fail to respond to Ixchel’s greeting when she joins them at the table. Lydia recognizes the snub for what it is–racism against an indigenous woman. She contemplates engaging Ixchel to mitigate the Guatemalans’ rudeness, but ultimately keeps quiet: “[P]erforming an act of decorum would mean putting herself at risk, so instead she keeps her eyes on her plate, scoops some eggs into a tortilla” (127). Oblivious to Lydia’s silent disapproval, Julia and Neli discuss the rape that occurred the previous night. Julia speculates that the victim will be revictimized during her travels: “‘She’s so pretty, too. She’s going to have a rough journey’” (127). Her use of the term cuerpomático, referring to sex as a form of currency, confuses Ixchel, prompting her to seek clarification: “Rape? Is the price?” (127). Coyotes, border officials, and others along the route north routinely demand sex from women as payment for safe passage.