No dia 04/05/ 08,”jovens rebeldes” fizeram marchas em diversos estados brasileiros defendendo a liberação da maconha.Na praça do ministério do trabalho – Brasília -, realizaram uma pseudo passeata em pró a legalização da droga entorpecente. Levaram alguns cartazes defendendo e expondo seus argumentos. Deitaram no chão formando a imagem de uma folha da maconha, mas logo foram retirados por policiais militares que impediram o densenrolar da manifestação e, também, revistaram os participantes.
Na década de 60 – anos rebeldes – jovens entre 13 e 30 anos de idade lutaram intensamente por mudanças na política e na cultura. Gostavam de mostrar que eram rebeldes, que contestavam tudo e todos que pré determinassem valores,conceitos, ideais, gostos, atitudes. Não estavam dispostos em ser bonecos de plásticos manipuláveis pelo poder público. Por isso, no dia-adia praticavam a cultura da contra-cultura (engraçado, não?), posto que não adiantava mudar a estrutura do Estado,país. A revolução deveria ser total, mudando a maneira de se comportar e sentir as pessoas.
Os anos 2000, anos que vem sofrendo com o aquecimento global e escândalos estratosféricos na política (pra variar!), indivíduos (a moçada, mesmo!) preocupam-se em lagalizar a maconha. Sendo que, uma boa parte dos jovens da década de 60, apesar de terem contribuído para algumas mudanças no país – maior participação e novos direitos para a mulher na sociedade, através do movimento feministas, por exemplo -, morreram de overdose em busca de “libertar a mente do condicionamento social”. Que idiotas! Porém, parece que de nada serviu esse exemplo para os jovens de hoje. Da maconha passam para a pasta base, da pasta base para o pó, do pó para o êxtase, do êxtase para o lsd… e assim se tornam escravos do vício. Uhuo, que liberdade!
Infelizmente uma parte da juventude está cada vez mais egoísta, uma vez que pensam apenas em si próprios, nos seus prazeres individuais. Ignoram os problemas de sua cidade, Estado e país. Não buscam compreender racionalmente a realidade.
First, can I start with a quote? Sorry this is in english, perhaps, with time, I won’t be scared to crash through in portuguese. This quote is about the power of people, it’s the focal point. “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Nelson Mandella
So! The maryjane problem- it’s a hot little political fight everywhere. Here’s what the situation is in California. Although marijuana is still sort of a symbol of independence from state or federal control, and people say it should be legalized regardless of motive for use- it has gone into the murky depths of medicine. I live in the only county (like a municipality) that has legalized maryjane for medicinal purposes. I think it’s sort of strange that it’s used for pain-relief, my experience with it suggests that the pain is amplified, but whatever. So, our fight about it has gone into the actual effects of THC on your neurotransmitters- and it’s comical to me. We’ve legalized drugs much more powerful and mind-altering than it could ever be, so I think it’s only a matter of time before interested drug companies take advantage of such a large market.
I wish, though, that our youth here would get excited and demonstrate like Brazilians about anything- for motives selfish or social. We have that awful war that seems like it would be easy to protest- but we live in myspace times. And by that I mean we’re stuck watching our friends, and moderated by them, from doing anything that would potentially get us in trouble. An example of this modifying-selves-towards-the-normal-middle is our current presidential race. Even Obama has changed his sharp criticism of the Bush Administration so that he appeals to a larger body of people. We’ve forgotten that we are powerful, and are afraid of the state.
Whenever I think of Brazil and marijuana, I think of City of God and Tropa De Elite. I do think commercializing it would maybe stop the trade. I didn’t get to see My Name is Jonny- but I read what the script writer had to say- and didn’t he say commercializing would be a good start to ending the cycle of favela violence? Research indicates that alcohol is much more dangerous in terms of abuse and stimulating violence- and more of a “gateway” drug that marijuana. This information is widely known, but uncomfortable to the general public (at least here).
So, in summery, the reasons behind the Marijuana Problem are the debates about: drug-altered person and what it means to medicate the body until ‘normal.’ It also represents a political statement- individualism or fear. Americanos have lost their balls and ability to protest or support anything out of fear of federal reprisal. Similarly, Brazilians demonstrate for legalization of marijuana out of individualistic motives- emphasizing a political orientation that is uniformed about larger social issues (like the corruption of most groups of organized people in Brazil). And finally, THC also represents a societal problem (worse in Brazil, but in USA as well) with a nasty cycle of doing the most damage to the poorest segment of people. If people remembered that they are powerful, in the way Mandella promoted, they could change each of these problems. By calling drug companies to be accountable to the general public, by telling the government to regulate fairly (with everything that implies- taxation, age requirements, and the money not fading into corrupted ends), and finally- stopping violence. We have the ability of choice- however small and influenced by all the pressures of culture and situation- and we could be powerful…..
Anyway, let me know if this was too hard to understand, I could take more time on it and make the english simpler. I would really like to discuss more things with you- and know your opinion. Seriously! Let’s skype it up!