Water sold for R$93 in the middle of a tragedy is inhumane; reporter Walace Lara’s cry is life pulsating

They say that the year only starts after Carnival. So there’s no more excuses, let’s go, however difficult it is sometimes to act. The way events are shown to our eyes, just being able to react to the blows is already a great success. Amidst so many images of happy people enjoying the days of revelry all over Brazil, there was suddenly a flood of terrible news about the rains that caused death and destruction on the north coast of São Paulo. In a live link from the region, TV Globo reporter Walace Lara cried when reporting that, while he was faced with the drama of those who lost everything in that sea of ​​mud and suffering, greedy people sold 1 liter of mineral water for R$ 93. You didn’t get it wrong: ninety-three reais!

It’s pretty tough to get on board when we’re faced with inhumane behavior like that, isn’t it? For this reason, for some time now, I have created defense mechanisms so as not to let myself be dominated by a paralyzing discouragement, which makes me discredit more than believe in people. I noticed that in that same video, for example, Wallace says that in the community where he detected this absurd immorality, about a hundred volunteers helped to remove dirt from inside the victims’ homes. Immediately, then, I repeated to myself: “For half a dozen assholes wanting to take advantage of the pain of others, there are a hundred citizens striving to contribute in some way”.

Many believe that the press likes to report bad news. I cannot speak for all colleagues, but I say it for myself and I believe for a majority: we hate it! As catastrophes have no day or time to happen, however, in the middle of the carnival shift, teams that are committed to information had to rush to the location. This is how serious work should be done. And the professional side of the person is there behind the facts, trying to put reason in charge. But sometimes the cruelty and coldness are so unbelievably shocking that the emotion doesn’t excuse itself and screams. Wallace’s cry, though sad, was a beautiful sign of pulsing life. Because, even involved in so many losses, even trained to carry out and deliver his reports no matter how bad the scenario in which they happen, the journalist showed that human tragedies of this proportion did not become commonplace for him.

We need to maintain a certain distance to preserve ourselves, but as we are bombarded by bad episodes all the time, it is increasingly complex to find this measure. How to “turn off the mind” so as not to get sick? And how often do you do this without alienating yourself, becoming oblivious to what matters? If I had these answers, I wouldn’t be here sharing these questions with you. They torment me every day. But there is a positive side to this as well, since I insist on taking a lesson from everything, not being naive, but trying to remain hopeful: what bothers us or causes indignation can also move us.

Imagine the situation of firefighters, ambulance drivers, nursing technicians or doctors who work constantly saving lives. It is inevitable that no matter how much effort they make, they often deal with losses. If they don’t have psychological preparation and create tactics to face these situations, how would they bear it? At the same time, if they start to consider this something banal, they will treat those who fall into their hands as one more. And if they reach that point, they are the ones who have already died a little inside, because they have forgotten their purpose and the real objectives of the choices they have made.

We are alive! Our laughs and cries say a lot about us. Always remember: what kills is indifference.