Home » Blogs » admin's blog

Report Back from Discussions with Brazilian Landless Workers Movement Leader

Submitted by admin on Tue, 02/19/2008 - 19:40.

 

                                                                                                            December 15, 2007
 
Report back from two (2) panel
Discussions with representative
Luis Antonio Pasquetti of the
Brazilian Landless Workers Movement:
 
 
            On December 10th, 2007 as I attended the session and fellowship service at Union with Union’s Trustee, Mr. Art Trotman, we were hosting Mr. Luis Antonio Pasquetti of the Brazilian Landless Workers Movement!
 
            Each time I find myself in a public venue representing Picture the Homeless, and the question of land distribution arises, I caution myself to remain as objective as possible__
 
            Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal Act; the trail of Tears has nothing to do with this evenings discussion! I must concentrate on how the descendents of the “quilombos” in Brazil achieved a major victory in Brazil’s 1988 constitution. Articles #215 and #216 of that current legislation provides that whereas the quilombos descendents are part of the Brazilian national heritage: article #68 refers to “transitory provisions”. The latter guarantee the right of ownership of the lands they occupy!
 
            As I sit here beside my Christian brother and friend Art Trotman; as I sit here representing Picture the Homeless I try not to think about how my great-grandma Liza Rice, a defenseless widow was intimidated into giving up the last Rice held land in the U.S.
 
Instead I try to focus on the Brazilian 1985 “Truth Commission” Report entitled “Never Again!” I try to fast forward my aging brain 1985 – Truth Commission Report – Brazil; 1988 New Constitution? But then in 1993, in spite of the 1988 Constitutional stipulation – that all indigenous lands should be demarcated_ in 1993. Only half (50%) of the 555 identified indigenous territories have been demarcated. And as I sit here trying silently to connect the dots, I wonder was anyone really listening when brother Marvin asked “What’s going on.” Who was listening when the BlueNotes sang “Wake up all you people?”
 
            And so as I compose my thoughts to frame one relevant question from which I expect I already know the answer: Sir, since the adaptation of The Brazilian Constitution in 1988, how much socio-economic positive change has taken place; particularly in communities of color? ____ And the response “not much” __ What does this mean__? We closed out that evening with an electrifying spiritual fellowship semi-revival meeting__ and I returned to the mean streets of N.Y.C to think some more-
 
            And so on December 11th, 2007 I was again honored to represent Picture the Homeless with my junior member Mr. Ryan Gibbs: In a roundtable discussion again with Mr. Luis Antonio Pasquetti; Leader of the Brazilian Landless Workers Movement. This evening, the format was slightly different as other city – grassroots organizations were present. Again I found Stephen Bradley and young “Yankee Mike” representing Community Voices Heard.
 
            Tunico__ tells the same story that I heard at the World Social Forum in Brazil, over two years ago! 1 percent of the landowners own 45 percent of the land. There are over thirty million (30,000,000) Brazilians living below the poverty line. There are twelve million (12,000,000) landless people in Brazil!
 
            It seems to me that the current 1988 Brazilian Constitution has suffered the same fate as the beloved blood stained “Freedom Charter” of the African National Congress of South Africa.
 
            On the eve of its independence, South Africa also attempted to address serious, progressive “land reform”. My study and research as a lay person has revealed to me that neo-liberal economic policy, when not monitored when not held accountable by the people: can quite easily be subverted to enhance the capital gains of the few at the expense and pain and often times the deaths of the many. Milton Friedman’s version of Adam Smith’s Economic theory can very much subvert a fragile democracy that is not built upon transparency; Democratic participatory__
Participation and a rule of Just law based upon truth, justice, freedom and moral equality!
 
            Maintaining a vigilant citizenry that holds elected and appointed officials accountable to the people that they are sworn to represent in the “common good” continues to be a work in progress. We at Picture the Homeless continue to stand in the vanguard of this movement; with the faith based community; elected officials; members of the academic community and all persons of good will to strive toward the attainment of a global society based upon the rule of law, truth, justice and the sister and brotherhood of all our creators children.   
 
 
                                                                                    Respectfully,
 
 
                                                                                    Ryan E. Gibbs
                                                                                    Office Administrator
 
 
 
                                                                                    Jean Rice
                                                                                    Board of Directors    
                                                                                    Picture the Homeless
 

 

Trackback URL for this post:

http://www.picturethehomeless.org/blog/trackback/26
»