RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Nazi symbols with which the Bolsonaro government and its supporters have flirted have become increasingly obvious. The very slogan of Jair Bolsonaro’s campaign in the 2018 election, “Brazil above all, God above all,” is a direct reference to a Nazi German catchphrase, “Deutschland über alles,” which in English means “Germany above all”. The passage was even part of the German national anthem but was removed after the end of World War II.
Last Friday, May 8th, the President’s supporters extended their right hand in a greeting to the former reserve captain during Bolsonaro’s appearance in his “enclosure” at the Alvorada Palace. The gesture is famous for having been used by the Nazis in saluting Adolf Hitler – “Heil, Hitler”. Bolsonarists, however, deny the gesture has any reference to Nazism and justify it by saying that it was prayer.
The iconic gesture finds support in the government’s own discourse. On Saturday, May 10th, the Presidency’s Communication Secretariat (SECOM) released a video on social media that sparked controversy for reproducing one of the slogans used by the Nazi regime.
“Part of the press insists on turning its back on the facts, on Brazil, and on Brazilians. But the Federal Government, by the determination of its chief, will continue to work to SAVE LIVES and preserve the jobs and dignity of Brazilians. Work, unity, and truth will set Brazil free,” the SECOM’s message said.
The video ends with the excerpt “work, union, and truth will set us free” in bold.
The quote echoes the Nazi motto “work sets you free” (“Arbeit macht frei”, in German). The phrase was common in concentration camps – in some, the phrased was placed on the camp entrance.
The German journalist Gerd Wenzel commented on the comparison. “The SECOM of the Presidency of the Republic, using social media, emulates a motto the Nazis used to adorn the gateways of concentration camps: “Work, union and truth will set Brazil free”. Arbeit macht frei (work sets you free)”, he tweeted.
Roberto Alvim
The release of the publicity piece comes about four months after the controversy surrounding the former Special Secretary of Culture, Roberto Alvim. He posted a video that mimics the speech and aesthetics of Joseph Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda in Nazi Germany.
After strong pressure from society and the artistic class, Alvim was fired and the post was deleted.
SECOM head Wajngarten submitted a post rebutting UOL’s story on the writings. According to him, the comparison is a “scoundrel’s inference”. “They forget the Jewish teachings that I and much of my team have learned, and the working tradition of the Jewish people in fighting for their economic freedom,” he said.
Source: Fórum