Marisa Letícia Lula da Silva: the words that needed to be said.

On January 4, 2011, after Lula left power, I published a long text about Dona Marisa Letícia, who was celebrating her birthday. On January 27, 2017, with Dona Marisa's death, this same text caused an internet overload, taking my blog offline for several hours due to the accumulation of thousands of simultaneous accesses. Dona Marisa Letícia died on that date. Several progressive media sites honored me by republishing this text, which now, on the date of another birthday of the former first lady, I reproduce here in my current home, Brasil 247.

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For eight years, she endured intense bombardment, a barrage of mockery, insults of every kind, ridicule, biting references, cruel criticism, even slander. And without the comfort of reciprocation. She was never called "The Face" by anyone, nor did the international press shower her with praise, much less did political and partisan admirers defend her. For the Republic's number one "comrade," much hardship, few caresses. Ah, the usual suspects will say, and the perks? The privileges? The easy life? And I will retort: ​​And the end of privacy? The press always watching, using a magnifying glass to find fault? And the public hostilities? And the slights? And the disrespectful way she was constantly treated, without the slightest ceremony, by a large part of the media? Mocking her, insulting her, diminishing her? And the frequent expressions of distrust, here and there? And – worst of all – the unfounded and malicious rumors, with the sole and exclusive purpose of breaking up the couple, the family? Oh, my dears, Marisa Letícia Lula da Silva It took courage and a strong stomach to endure those eight years of slander and attacks. And she had it.

They began by criticizing her for always being by her husband's side at ceremonies. As if accompanying her partner wasn't the traditional custom of a mother in our society. Then, they took issue with her silence, her "muteness," her quiet demeanor. In truth, this was more than evident proof of her wisdom. What was there to say, when, as everyone knows, being First Lady isn't a position, a job, a profession? Ah, but all "they" wanted was to see Mrs. Marisa Letícia stumble over her words so they could, once again, with that venomous cruelty that is peculiar to them, compare her to her predecessor. Ruth Cardoso...with her impressive array of doctorates and master's degrees. Now, tell me, how many women in this great and thriving country can boast of having a doctorate?

On the other hand, there aren't many women in Brazil who manage to maintain a discreet and reserved family life in harmony, as Marisa Letícia has. And there aren't many who, during and after so many years of marriage, can count on the implicit and explicit respect of their husbands, and the well-deserved absences they always make. Luis Inácio Lula da Silva She appreciated the affection he frequently showed her. And isn't that a merit? Isn't that a good example?

Let's now turn to the criticisms of what, however, I consider the most relevant merit of our former first lady: her Brazilian spirit. It was a relentless barrage of criticism when Marisa Letícia, alongside her husband the president, decided to open the Granja do Torto for the June festivities. The simplest of our popular festivals, the one with Brazil in its veins, celebrating the saints of our preference, our cuisine, the games and the fun. Honoring the Brazilian people at their best: the wise simplicity of the Jeca Tatus, the fraternal coexistence, the unrestrained laughter, the beautiful naiveté of rural life. 

They mocked Lula for putting up little flags with his wife Marisa, as if the couple's closeness caused them discomfort. A colonized and foolish press, pretending to be chic. They remind one of pretentious "newcomers" who could never understand the beauty of a greased pole "surrounded" by colorful ribbons. More discerning journalists would know that Marisa's devotion to Saint Anthony, carried by the president on a banner in processions, is neither learned nor invented. It is pure legitimacy. 

Daughter of Antônio (Antônio João Casa), from a family of Italian immigrant farmers, Lombards from Bergamo, Marisa lived on a farm with her ten siblings until she was five years old, where her paternal grandfather, Giovanni Casa, a very devout man, built a chapel of Saint Anthony. It still exists today, there for anyone who wants to see it, in the neighborhood that bears Marisa's family name, Bairro dos Casa, where her roots once lay, on the outskirts of São Bernardo do Campo. The Casa family, Marisa Letícia's family, my loves, were as much immigrants as the Matarazzo family and so many others who helped build Brazil.

Another Brazilian trait of hers, which I find beautiful, is her prestige for the national colors, always revered in her clothing on Independence Day. Works by our own designers, Brazilian names, without the fashion abstractions of those who like to copy foreign fashion. There were the crocheted vests, the handcrafted embroidery, the everyday lace of our country. That's what being chic is all about; the rest is just talk. In power, alongside her husband, she clearly made an effort to look good on trips, official visits, and protocol ceremonies. 

Any attentive observer will notice that, from the moment dressing well became a concern, Marisa Letícia has evolved every day, refined herself, honed her taste, and outshone everyone in her last appearance as First Lady of Brazil at last Saturday's ceremony at the Palácio do Planalto, when, with all due respect to the others, she was undoubtedly the most elegant female presence. She has evolved in her haircut, hairstyle, makeup, and even in the much-criticized cosmetic procedures that have made her look younger and more beautiful. Let the woman who, in a position of great visibility, hasn't had plastic surgery, a slight facelift, a basic Botox injection, even a light one, or resorted to night creams, cast the first stone. Come on, give me a break!

They demanded that Marisa Letícia undertake a "national social work" project, a broad plan along the lines of Ruth Cardoso's Solidarity Community program. This was pure malice from those who wanted to see her fall into a trap and get entangled in one of the most difficult, delicate, and technical spheres of work: the social field. 

Intelligent, Marisa Letícia dedicated herself to what she always knew best: being her husband's pillar of support, his refuge, his peace. Listening to him and, if necessary, offering her opinion. Transmitting confidence and firmness to him. And this, according to his own statements, she always did. She was the one who took to the streets in marches, mobilizing hundreds of women, when their husbands, union leaders, were in prison. She was the one who sewed the first PT (Workers' Party) flag. And, courageously, she risked her life, opening her home to meetings of metalworkers when the dictatorship banned unions. She was a companion, a friend, and loyal to her husband at all times. She was kind and cordial to everyone who approached her. There is not a single account of an episode of arrogance or slight she made to anyone as First Lady of the country. The homemaker who tends the garden, plants a vegetable patch, worries about her husband's diet, and protects the family she formed and continues to form, with SquidA true couple. The kind that, unfortunately, are becoming increasingly rare. This is my recognition of the role very well played by Marisa Letícia Lula da Silva During those eight years. Had I said all this before, I would have been called a sycophant. I waited for her to leave power to give her the justice she deserves.

(Rereading this text, 12 years later, makes us see how much customs have changed, how Brazilian women have changed, myself included.)