A unique moment for Brazil

For the past 7 years, our country has been plagued by a series of unparalleled events and events in its history. From the obstinate and courageous work of a select group of people, a great turnaround occurred in the Brazilian political scene. The so-called Lava-Jet operation has changed the way we see, do, and live politics. An entire scheme of systemic corruption was exposed, tried, and so far, dozens of protagonists of such a scheme were sent to jail.

However, it is not my goal to talk about the Lava Jet itself, nor about its reflexes regarding the current change of command of our Country. I take this article in another direction. The operation uncovered society in a concrete and visceral way. What was informally consensual by most of us has been materially proven: corruption is endemic in our society. This goes far beyond what has been shown up to now in the scandals between politicians and large contractors.

For many years, corruption has permeated our lives. Several may be the examples. It is the small traffic offender who offers tips to a police officer (who can or can not). The “cunning” who pay telephone company employees to install a “cat” in their homes. To those who pay tax, to avoid fines of any kind in their companies. They adulterate meters watches, to pay less. They tipped the hostess at a party where they were not invited, or were not on the VIP list. All little things from day to day. Coming to the great scandals we’ve seen in recent years – with its anthological epilogue being written with the Lava Jet.

Now, if there is corruption, it presupposes corrupting and corrupt. If a public agent or a congressman accepts or imposes corruption, on the other side is someone willing to pay it. Either by an ailment, or by will and consent, the corruptor plays the same role, of equal importance. Both are committing the same crime. Thinking conceptually, if the National Congress in essence, is the maximum representation of our society; and if a large part of this Congress has shown itself to be corrupt, then the Society (or much of it) is corrupt. The representatives of our people, and elected by him, in fact represent their most shameful facet.

This fact saddens me a lot. After all, I’m Brazilian. I was very proud of it, not too long ago. Not so much today. I used to fill my chest to say I was Brazilian. Today, I still speak openly that I am Brazilian, yes. However, I already face suspicious looks from my interlocutors. And once or twice, I have to live with some jokes, or with comments on how difficult things must be around here. Clear and evident, that every rule has exceptions. And about the exceptions that I deposit all my hope.

Sentimentalisms aside, where the Lava Jet can really make a difference. Crime exists only in an environment of impunity. Where the state can not, or does not want to punish. Until very recently, there was almost a consensus that the powerful, the rich, the most favored, would never be punished. They would never go to jail.

However, the unfolding of the facts may have radically changed this logic The Lava Jet brings here its great inflection point for history. Today we have a scenario where the richest men and the most powerful men are behind the bars. And so many others will still experience the same luck (or chance …). Now, when this happens, it causes all other “mere mortals” to ask themselves, “If this happened to them, surely it can happen to me.”

We are facing a moment, where a structural change can really happen. If the State effectively goes about fulfilling its role as regulator of society, punishing those who break the rules, without distinction of social class, or status. Where to commit an offense may actually result in actual penalty. Where the Brazilian way, can not be used. Yes, we will have a real change in society. The biggest change we Brazilians could experience. A profound structural change and cultural ethics. That the brave Lava Jet and so many other operations that will arise continue their arduous work, and such condemnations will definitely change the way in which one thinks and becomes political and lives in society. I wish this moment really is a turning point. A moment in which in the future we may be reading with our grandchildren in books, and be recognized as a new phase in the history of Brazil. And who can travel the world shouting: “WE HAVE PROUD TO BE BRAZILIAN!”.