Boechat and Band also need to apologize to Santiago Andrade's family.
"I'm in favor of scratching cars, I'm in favor of rioting, I'm in favor of destruction and all that crap. But is that vandalism? Vandalism my ass," the journalist argued.
The latest tactic in the public square is to blame the Black Blocs for all the problems of violence in Brazil. And to take advantage of the opportunity to criminalize all social movements that are in the streets. The most stupid act in this regard is the attempt to rush through the anti-terrorism law in the Senate.
Does this absolve the tactic of violence by groups in the streets of their responsibilities? Of course not. And several texts have already been written in this space to that effect. For those who may be interested, here are two: this e this.
But at the same time, shouldn't we investigate who the other actors are who participated in this same violence that they now condemn so vehemently? You can see one of them in the following video.
The journalist Ricardo Boechat from TV Bandeirantes has numerous qualities. But in this video, he did what many of his colleagues have done, with, let's say, a bit more acerbity. He calls for more violent protests, saying, among other things:
"I'm in favor of scratching cars, I'm in favor of rioting, I'm in favor of destruction and all that crap. But is that vandalism? Vandalism my ass."
Recently, presenter Racquel Sherazade, from rival network SBT, also defended the legitimacy of violence against "the little thug tied to the post." And she treated the action as legitimate collective self-defense.
The death of Santiago Andrade needs to be taken into consideration and become a turning point for those who, in the streets or in the comfort of Facebook, defended the tactic of violence as a legitimate instrument of struggle. Even if there was almost nothing to justify this option in the current context. Even if there was no indication that this could lead the movement and the country to any better place than the current one.
But at the same time, the death of Santiago Andrade cannot become a banner in the hands of violent groups. These groups are generally mobilized by media discourses of the Sherazade type, and even by a much more responsible journalist like Boechat.
And they are also mobilized by media outlets like Band, which draws its main audience from programs about police violence.
PS: I add to this post the Band's editorial asking for reaction forces to punish the troublemakers.
Published in Rovai's Blog
* This is an opinion article, the responsibility of the author, and does not reflect the opinion of Brasil 247.