This Thursday, BE considered it important that Portugal, as is happening in other countries, discuss its colonial past and reject the right-wing view that “blames democracy for everything bad that has happened.”
At the end of the ceremonial meeting dedicated to the 50th anniversary on April 25, BE coordinator Mariana Mortagua emphasized the tribute to the April captains in the speech of Marcelo Revel de Souza and his “vision as a parliamentarian, scientist and President of the Republic”, the fact that democracy consists of several voices and supporters, and the fact that it is being built every day.
Asked about yesterday’s statements in which Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa acknowledged Portugal’s responsibility for crimes committed during the colonial era and offered to pay reparations for past mistakes, the BE leader said that “serious, true democracy, holistic, modernity, which has become a revolution , is not afraid to rethink his history, discuss his history, question the traumas of the past.”
“It is at the moment that society is able to have these difficult debates – and we know they are difficult because of the divisions this proposal has created – that is the moment that democracy asserts itself as what it is,” he said. out.
According to Mortagua, it is necessary to open in Portugal the debate that is going on in many countries, that is, “about art, about culture, about the appropriation of objects from other countries and other peoples who have meanwhile gained autonomy and independence.”
“I think this is an important debate. They are coming late compared to other democracies that are debating their past, but this is welcome,” he said.
The BU leader believed that “Portugal must discuss its past and understand how it happened,” and it must be recognized that “there are things that can be done” and that there is a part of museums and history that “belongs to other peoples.” , other nations, and there is no harm in discussing it.”
“There are people on the right who blame democracy for everything bad that has happened, and we must reject that narrative. Democracy is responsible for all the good things that have happened to us,” he further said.
According to Mortagua, anyone who says that “democracy is to blame for corruption, broken promises and disappointments” must be rejected.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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