Just as in the United States, where Karen has become derisive shorthand for an entitled, demanding woman, Colombia has its own stigmatized first name: Brayan, which is often used to refer to a reckless, low-income delinquent.
Last week, President Gustavo Petro set off widespread criticism after he appeared to take the common stereotype literally to include all men named Brayan, also spelled Brian, calling them “vampire men” that leave women “pregnant and abandoned.”
His remarks, which were made during a cabinet meeting, quickly spread on social media.
The reaction was swift. One news media outlet checked Colombia’s national registry, which listed 165,538 Brayans.
Some people responded with satire: Brayan Mantilla, a popular social media figure, rallied people who share his name in a video calling for a National Brayan Day and announced the founding of the Colombian Brayan Association. Burger King even offered a special deal on sandwiches for any Brayans who showed their IDs.
“We are tired,” Mr. Mantilla said in the video. “For years we have been unfairly singled out, turned into memes and denied the right to be taken seriously in our professional and personal lives.”
“There are Brayans of all kinds,” he added. “Brayan workers. Brayan dreamers. Brayans fighting for a better future. We are not to blame for the name our parents gave us.”
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The post A President’s Remarks Harshly Single Out Men With a Particular Name appeared first on New York Times.
