Brazil’s choice: democracy, dignity, and purpose
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In Brazil, Fábio Potiguar reflects on the country’s struggle to maintain democracy, recalling his childhood experiences with the military dictatorship of 1979 and the pro-democracy movements of the 1980s.
He remembers witnessing rallies for direct elections and the contributions of political figures like Tancredo Neves and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during Brazil’s redemocratization. Potiguar emphasizes that democracy is not guaranteed, but requires constant effort and vigilance.
Potiguar later worked with the Center for Human Rights and Popular Memory, interviewing people affected by political repression during past regimes. He warns against the rise of extremism and authoritarianism globally, clarifying his criticism is directed at the far-right, not the democratic right. He believes a healthy society requires economic policies that prioritize people over profit, social rights, and environmental protection.
The author connects social and economic choices to broader questions of civilization versus barbarism, defining civilization as respect for others, protection of rights, and a focus on human dignity. He concludes by urging Brazilians to consider what kind of country they want, one based on fear or hope, hate or fraternity, and reaffirms his commitment to democracy, justice, and dialogue.
