Last night was the official launch of São Paulo’s “National Committe in Defense of Indigenous Populations in Mato Grosso do Sul”. You all have no idea how many committee’s there are in this state. One more committee. Sigh. If you are a little uninterested and skeptical, no worries. I was right there with you, until I went and heard and listened.
Guarani Kaiowá from MS, Dra Samia, and two judges from the Association of Judges for Democracy
Three members of Aty Guasu (a political movement of Guarani Kaiowá who live in Mato Grosso do Sul) are in São Paulo to do what they can to get the word out about the injustice of the current reality in MS. After speaking at the human rights award night on Monday they spoke in greater detail to a smaller crowd at the launch of the national committee. Surrounded by about 40 people they talked about what is it that they have to “get up” from: 250 killed since 2004; life expectancy of 45 – compared to 75 in Brasil; children dying of malnutrition; racism and discrimination; extreme poverty and denial of land and lifestyle. It is with great courage they “stand up” for their rights.
Something I have failed to mention previously and I feel is very important to note is that the same day Nísio Gomes’ body was taken 3 children went missing (two 12 year olds and a 5 year old). It is unlikely that they are still alive. When Lea Aquino, Guarani Kaiowá, said that in all likelihood they are dead her pain was overwhelming. “I hope that all people understand that we too are human and we want to live, educate and liberate our children”. So simple, so fundamental, so very much worth fighting for.
I wonder if a committee in São Paulo is really capable of doing anything. What actions will we actually take, what difference will we really make in economic center of Brasil and one of the most capitalistic cities in the world? I truly don’t know. But when Lea added that they want the world to know what is happening I thought, once again, we have to do our best. If a people being systematically killed because of their ethnicity can get up and stand up time and time again it is the very least we can do. I can do.
Maybe not just guns have power. Maybe words do to.
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