Opinion – Walter Casagrande Jr.: And who didn’t sign the letter for democracy? What are you afraid of?

This letter-manifesto for democracy made by the USP Law School left many people who say that we live in a Bolsonar democracy – or who believe when the “lie” says that they defend freedom.

First of all, it has to be said that this government is far from being a democracy, it has always crossed the line that separates freedom of expression from cowardly and dirty attacks.

Well, let’s talk about who hasn’t signed this letter so far. First of all, in a democracy you have the right to choose what to do, to participate or not in any manifesto.

In my opinion, there are no big surprises among the names that have signed the letter so far. Anyone who really practices the defense of democracy, as I have done since I was 16, is there.

But I want to draw attention precisely to some people who claim to be defenders of democracy and have not signed.

What is the fear of many people?

Among them, for example, there are those who say that sport and politics should not mix. How is it possible to consider yourself a defender of freedom with this kind of thinking? Perhaps they lack an understanding of the very meaning of the word “democracy”.

Even though our electoral system has been under attack for about five years, at least we still have a choice. But every choice implies a price to pay today.

Anyone who defends this cowardly, lying, perverse, prejudiced and cruel government is heavily criticized on social media – I imagine, I don’t follow this kind of thing.

And those who really defend our democracy are not criticized, but attacked with very harsh, rude and even criminal terms.

Therein lies the great fear of those who have not signed the letter. The fear of losing followers, which, today, seems to be the most important thing for many.

When I say that the manifesto cornered a lot of people, it’s because, in addition to taking action and showing your face, it’s also important to put your name on a manifesto of this size, completely different from that ridiculous protest read by the player Casemiro before Brazil’s debut in the Copa America of death.

The list has already passed the 600,000 signature mark and is growing by the minute, but even people who spoke out against this government, especially during the height of the pandemic, are not there.

I followed many discussions for this reason: those who attacked the government and those who defended it, suddenly disappeared.

I mean public persons. Just as there are Piquets and Sérgios Reis, there are also some artists who disappeared from the map.

It seems that the defense of democracy, for many, was nothing more than a showcase, or perhaps a fad. It even seems that this banner is worth no more than the threat of losing followers and advertising contracts.

Come on, I repeat: I respect people’s opinion, but it seems incoherent to me that some who have already expressed themselves at other times come, now that the election is approaching, pretending that they have nothing to do with it.

How many were revolted by the lack of vaccine or by losing friends and family due to the incompetence of this Ministry of Health?

Okay, they’ll say “I have nothing to do with this, I better mind my own business”.

It will be a coherent answer with the way of acting of these individuals who barely understand themselves as citizens.

In my mind, the risk of a coup that threatens democracy is far from being my problem or just someone else’s. The subject is of interest to all Brazilians who want to have the freedom to live, create, work, write, speak and whatever else they want, as long as they are not criminals.

That is why it is so important to speak out in defense of democratic values.

I close with an excerpt of the beautiful song “Sal da Terra”, by Ronaldo Bastos in the voice of Beto Guedes, of whom I am a big fan:

“We’re going to need everyone
One plus one is always more than two
To better build new life
It’s just better to share the bread
Recreate paradise now
To deserve whoever comes later.”