I’m remembering the morning after Brazil´s devastating loss to Germany in the World Cup. It´s 7 a.m. and I’m taking my usual walk through the center of Caucaia. The city of 200,000 is already bustling with people catching buses to work or opening their small shops. Tears were shed last night but today it´s back to work. It´s also back to debating and struggling for the present and future of Brazil. As my cousin Nícolas posted, “It’s time for us to reconsider what are our priorities in this life.´´
I´ll let Brazilians debate whether the cost of the World Cup was worth it or not. Most believe not. Those of us from the United States can hardly judge since our government has spent $3 trillion dollars (or more) on war and interventions while many needs are unmet. But I can give you a snapshot from one state in Brazil to see what I´ve observed here.
The state of Ceará is in the far northeast of Brazil encompassing many miles of the Atlantic coast and stretching to the interior and mountains. It is historically an impoverished area, frequently devastated by drought and the rule of large landowners. Many people have fled the interior to the capital city, Fortaleza, and satellite cities such as Caucaia.
The infrastructure of the cities is crumbling under the demands and needs of the growing population. The metropolitan area of Fortaleza has 2.5 million residents. Everyone agrees that personal safety, education, health care, and the infrastructure are poor. In Fortaleza alone there are 23,000 abandoned or uninhabitable buildings or plots of land. Eighteen percent of the houses are not connected to sanitation systems. In the interior 42% are not connected. Per capita income is $11,000 a year and the minimum wage is about $370 per month.
Of course none of this goes without struggle and some advances. While I´ve been here strikes have occurred among bus drivers, teachers, construction workers, and university service workers. Rural workers have blocked roads and highways demanding more access to water and land. Both government and industry have responded by firing workers and conducting propaganda campaigns against unions.
It would not be an accurate picture to just show the challenges. There is a growing middle class in Brazil, millions have moved up from poverty, better education and public sector employment have improved opportunities for many. I can see from the 25 years I´ve visited my family here that all my cousins and their children are better off than their parents. When I first came here children were all over the streets during the school day selling chiclets and candies. Now they´re in school with the incentive of their parents getting financial support if the children attend class. But such a long way to go!
There’s amazing diversity in the political system. Twenty-three parties have representation in the federal legislature. The congressional delegation from the state of Ceará alone consists of 22 members from 11 different parties. Despite this diversity, many people feel unrepresented and consider all politicians corrupt.
The major media and the corporations have been using this cynicism to promote right-wing parties that would bring “order” and “transparency” to the system. Tremendous opportunities are being opened with the new economic bloc of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS.) The rich want to get richer, and demand a stronger pro-capitalist agenda.
The labor movement, students, and movements of the poor are all now challenged with how they move forward. When so many things need to be done what are really your priorities? Will high expectations and greater opportunities bring about wealth creation for the few or prosperity for the many? I trust the Brazilian people will successfully continue their dynamic journey for justice and equality.
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