By Frei Betto on November 25, 2021
Lula and Boulos, photo: Ricardo Stuckert
I have seen with great concern the Petista militants vehemently affirming that they will not support the candidacy of Guilherme Boulos (PSOL) for the government of São Paulo. Has the left learned nothing from what has happened in Brazil in recent years? Has it not learned to identify which is the side, the commitment of each one and the importance of forming at least a broad front?
Boulos has his trajectory built next to the homeless, one of the most excluded segments of this country, with their essential right to housing restricted. Several times I had the opportunity to witness his selflessness. He went to live in the periphery and to fight with the most suffering people. He is a leader with his feet in the mud, and he does what he preaches. Coherence is a fundamental value for all of us who want to change society.
Boulos was by Lula’s side in the most difficult moments, when many did not want to be, for fear of damaging his image in the public opinion. He took to the streets to defend Dilma against the coup. He was in São Bernardo, together with thousands of homeless people, to fight against the unjust imprisonment of the former president. He visited Lula in prison in Curitiba. Lula himself has already expressed his admiration and affection for Boulos.
In the São Paulo mayoral election, Boulos showed himself as a great leader of the new generation of progressive politicians critical of neoliberalism. And it seems that this bothered, especially those sectors of the left that are not yet open to new young leaderships. The left must have the capacity to renew itself, to make room for the new, to show new faces. And Boulos represents this renewal very well.
In the current tragic situation in which Brazil finds itself, it is sad to see that there are still those who cling to small differences and see enemies where there are none. They are Shakespeare’s ghosts. Guimarães Rosa, through the mouth of Riobaldo, in “Grande Sertão, Veredas”, says that, throughout life, the person loses the fear of living and dying, the greatest fear, then, is to be “born”. To be born there means to live unprecedented situations, choices at the crossroads of life, events that symbolize new hopeful emergencies, such as the political figure of Boulos. We should not be afraid of this new leadership. I am absolutely sure that Lula is the most prepared person to defeat Bolsonaro and try to rebuild the country. And he always knew how to do it by valuing his allies.
Boulos has every right to launch his candidacy for the government of São Paulo, especially after the beautiful campaign he did in the capital, together with Luiza Erundina. I even consider that it is the best formula: Lula for president and Boulos for governor. It would be a great sign of openness to renewal.
If the PT makes a different decision, it is within its rights. But I believe that the historical moment demands unity. And if there is no agreement, the least that is expected is respect. Attacks and lack of generosity with those who have always been on the same side, together with suspicions of betrayal, is not a good path, except for the right, which applauds the failure of the left.
In my career I have learned to value social commitment more than party affiliation. This compass allows me to stand firm with the values I have embraced, in the face of the dream of a just based on a society on solidarity.
I hope to vote next year for Lula and Boulos. And that the leftist parties have the discernment to build an environment of respect and unity, focusing their criticism on those who, in fact, are adversaries and enemies of the majority of the Brazilian people.
Frei Betto is an advisor to social movements and author of 53 books, published in Brazil and abroad, winner on two occasions of the Jabuti award (1982, with “Batismo de Sangue”, and 2005, with “Típicos Tipos”).
Source: Rebelion, translation Resumen Latinoamericano