Democracy 's Coming-of-Age: why must we continuously activate memories of January 8?

porque precisamos ativar continuamente as memórias sobre o 8 de janeiro? 

Abstract

This article proposes a reflection on the health of Brazilian democracy, treating it not as an inanimate structure, but as a living organism, a "girl-woman" of fluctuating health that demands continuous care and protection. Through a recollection of Brazil’s political life, I investigate how the trauma of January 8, 2023, was not an isolated accident, but the outcome of a growing process of authoritarianism and silencing. The study analyzes the escalation of violence, from the encampments at military barracks to attempted terrorist acts, and how the Brazilian press initially hesitated to name the crime against the State, instead utilizing the ambiguous label of "vandalism." By confronting the coverage of the highest-circulation newspapers in each region of the country, I observe how terminology was reorganized as the gravity of the attack became undeniable, revealing narrative disputes and the danger of adapting to the "temperature" of authoritarianism much like the frog that adjusts to boiling water. Ultimately, the work discusses how January 8 forced a coming-of-age (a kind of "attaining majority") upon our Democracy, problematizing the role of preserving this memory for contemporary Brazilian society.