I’d like to think I am from a country with great potential.
No, I am not talking about the United States, but about Brazil, where I lived for nine years.
We’ve had a 7.5 percent growth rate in the last year and a booming economy even amid the current crisis. We have constant oil discoveries, a World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016. And we are not only seen as the most promising country in Latin America for investment, but are beginning to trade in the big leagues with countries like China.
Our accomplishments have bumped our rank in the Human Development Report to 73, or the “High Human Development” sector. However, we are still below the regional average of Latin America and the Caribbean, due to not only our multidimensional poverty but also to our corrupt and poisoned government.
After the events that have been happening this week, in both New York City and D.C., I could not help but parallel Occupy Wall Street and Occupy D.C. to the corruption that plagues my country. Both protests are branches of Occupy Together, a grassroots protest against the greed and corruption of the wealthiest 1 percent of society.
If only such a protest could come to Brazil.
If there’s one thing Brazilians know, it’s greed and corruption. We are from a country that is held back by the poverty that affects the majority of its population. Nevertheless, instead of addressing these issues, corrupt politicians take away the money, time and effort needed to bring Brazilians back to their feet.
A perfect example is current federal deputy of São Paulo, Paulo Maluf. An ex-state governor of São Paulo, mayor of the City of São Paulo, congressman and presidential candidate, Maluf has been convicted of “maladministration” and is wanted for money laundering by a New York prosecutor, according to The Economist.
Through this conviction and Maluf’s current indictment for alleged fraud, it is common Brazilian belief that Maluf has been accused of stealing money from public government projects and embezzling it into his private life. There is even a verb inspired by the man himself: malufar — to steal public money from the people.
Another example is former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. It is illegal for a president to promote or show obvious preference to any type of candidate during election time. However, Lula not only promoted current president Dilma Rousseff on radio shows, but also was featured in TV campaign ads.
What I find most upsetting is not the fact that these politicians are so corrupt, but that Brazilians continue to let them participate in the government. Despite Maluf’s suspected and proven wrongdoings against the Brazilian population, not only has the government decided to drop further charges against him as a result of legal loopholes, but Maluf is constantly re-elected into government positions despite his dubious history. Continuing the disturbing trend, Lula basically picks our country’s next president, due to his immense popularity amongst the population, and receives no form of punishment.
Brazilians may have no memory, but sadly, many of them also have no education. They are not taught to think critically, to notice bias, to think for themselves or even know the functions of different government officials. However, seeing as the government refuses to educate the people, it is up to informed and frustrated citizens to help the uneducated and poor population.
For this reason, I applaud those who are participating in Occupy D.C.
It is up to the people to keep checks and balances on their government. Although the United States may be going in a somewhat opposite direction economically compared to Brazil, its citizens stand for honesty and just politics. This is the mindset that sets the first world apart from the third world, and the successful from the stuck.
Maybe one day, Brazilians as a people will also be able to occupy our capital, Brasilia, and demand for the just and honest government we deserve and need, if we ever wish to achieve our potential.
Julia Greenwald is a freshman in the School of Communications.
