Lula and the new (old) ghost of communism

During election season, nothing is more common than the cunning tactics of the Nazi-fascist right in spreading their "fake news." This is a strategy aimed at confusing and instilling fear in the population, with the sole objective of creating a "common enemy" for their survival – since they have proven incapable of presenting a policy focused on the public interest.

In 2018, social media and WhatsApp chains spread the unbelievable "penis-shaped baby bottle," associated with the "gay kit" and other absurdities. More than just garnering votes from innocent and usefully illiterate people, it allowed for misinformation and the outbreak of irrational hatred towards the left – and, making the situation worse, it gave voice and opportunity for Nazi-fascists to emerge from the underworld of society, with Bolsonaro as their representative.

But this is nothing new. Since the polarization between the US and the USSR, US imperialism has tried to destabilize the rise of socialism through fear, which automatically triggers a natural defensive reaction in anyone. The problem is that before believing any information, it is necessary to check its veracity, to study it. In 1959, when the Cubans carried out their brilliant revolution, they faced this type of tactic. It was common, for example, for US planes to fly over the island dropping leaflets warning the population of the "danger of communism" and "murderous guerrillas."

In Brazil, it was no different. In 1964, as always with the help of the US, the military coup also used the "communist threat" as an alternative to destabilize the recent democracy and impose the murderous and dictatorial regime, even having the support of part of the church and society.

But ultimately, is Communism a real threat?

First of all, it is necessary to understand what Communism is.

Communism is a political and socioeconomic ideology that aims to abolish private property, social classes, and the State itself, with Socialism as an initial stage. However, the question I ask is: which country is (or was) truly communist? None! Not Cuba, not Venezuela, not China, much less North Korea! All of them exhibit a strong – and necessary – presence of the State.

Many might also argue that these are "backward" countries, especially when talking about Cuba and Venezuela, but they fail to see that this is precisely due to the influence of capital – namely, US imperialism – which, in an attempt to defame and destabilize, imposes inhumane policies of economic sanctions against any country that wants to maintain relations with these governments. Cuba resists to this day because of its sovereignty and the defense of its own people, who defend the socialist regime. Cuba is a clear example that socialism has worked. Therefore, it remains for capitalist interests to isolate and try to destroy what puts their interests at risk.

In this way, a shallow, deceitful discourse is created, but one that still frightens a large portion of the population. These discourses are based on the bourgeoisie, which, more than just owning the means of production, enriches itself through the commodification of workers' labor, exploiting and making work precarious. Now, it is also a real estate market bourgeoisie that concentrates land, increasing conflicts in the countryside and in indigenous territories, and is directly responsible for deforestation, arson, and environmental destruction – which also impacts the destabilization of the environmental balance, increasing contamination with pesticides in water and food, and consequently accelerating environmental changes.

Today, with all the access to information – though not always accessed! – it is increasingly difficult for these lies to persist. However, with the support of hegemonic and traditional media, which respond to the interests of capital, the space they occupy is still large. In a recent survey, released in December by the Datafolha institute, it is stated that 44% of Brazilians “fear communism in Brazil”. And the misgovernment, using these weapons, continues to propagate the “communist threat”, as Minister (sic) (Doi)Damares recently did on her social networks when she projected a map of Latin America and the “countries taken over by communism”.

Well, we already know that there has never been a single communist country. Today, the chances of that happening are minimal. Again, I say: the State is fundamental for access to opportunities and basic needs!

To try and spread this lie, especially in Brazil, is more than just shamelessness; it's utter ignorance. Accusing the Brazilian left – the partisan left! – of being communist is another absurdity. Even though the PT, PSOL, PCdoB, and others are leftist parties, they don't even come close to any communist attempt. What we leftists defend and demand from these partisan representatives are public policies focused on social programs, income distribution, and equal opportunities. Social justice. That is our objective. That is our struggle so that, perhaps, with basic education and class consciousness, we can migrate to a socialist system not only nationally, but globally.

Ultimately, it is no longer possible or acceptable for 1% of the population to continue profiting from the gains generated by true workers. We can no longer accept that in the midst of a pandemic, amidst sanitary and economic chaos, new billionaires emerge and continue to increase their profits while the majority of people go hungry, are unemployed, and lack decent housing. We fight against this. We do not accept that capitalism profits and prevails over life.

We know that capitalism, by itself, will not be completely overthrown. However, by once again demonstrating its fragility – evidenced by the pandemic, which generated even more hunger, social inequalities, and the urgent need for state intervention – it has become clear that only a truly socialist political regime can be the alternative for humanity.

Lula is not merely a representation of a possible representative of the left. More than an idea, he is the coup to destroy Nazism and fascism and strengthen democracy. Lula is something that has already worked and knows how to do it. And as he himself says, he wants to do more. And this, undeniably, must involve attention to the grassroots, strengthening the people. The fear they try to instill in Lula will not be stronger than the people's emotional memory. Lula will be the alternative so that we can effectively fight for social revolution. That is our expectation and hope.

Thus, despite all the problems and chaos, while communism remains a phantom, the true monster that continues to destroy lives is capitalism and its unpatriotic neoliberal policies. Information is our most important weapon. The truth dismantles myths, and we will dismantle this one too!