Speaking can indeed be dangerous, but writing, at the moment, becomes much more so! Words, as the people say, are carried away by the wind… On the other hand, writing is forever engraved as proof of the action taken by the person who did it.
Those unhappy with the municipal or regional government system like it. They applaud it. They call for more writing…
How often do I hear the phrase: Always write! Don’t give up! We need more people like you! I keep all your chronicles! They are brief, but they give us what is essential…
They agree but don’t risk writing because they fear it might be hazardous…
On the other hand, there are the conformists and those who feel uncomfortable, although they don’t speak out… either because they’re integrated into the system or afraid of being removed when they disagree…
Anyone who writes out of conviction has to be able to face danger or overcome fear! Or they can limit themselves to following the wishes of those in power, of the politically correct, including some of the audiovisual and written media, which today are increasingly exposed to the criteria of those who support them, considering the tremendous monetary difficulties they are going through. “Better to die free than in peace subject”! However, given the importance of the media for citizens, it’s better to opt for peace…
Writing what is not politically correct, in addition to the discontent it can cause for those in power, can also lead to the loss or distancing of friends, current ones or even from childhood, who are offended by your views on the political, social and economic situation of the region or the country. This is the cause that most makes me wonder whether I should continue to express my opinion and criticize whenever reason prevails or resign myself to the circumstances, as some seem to have chosen, becoming accepted by all the media and the political or non-political society in which they are inserted. Thus, living in peace (although not of conscience…) in the warmth of their homes…
It’s confirmed: Writing can become dangerous…

Fernando Mendonça is a freelance writer and poet. He resides in Terceira island, Azores. He collaborates with the local Press,

NOVIDADES will feature occasional opinion pieces from various leading thinkers and writers from the Azores to give the diaspora and those interested in the current Azores a sense of the significant opinions on some of the archipelago’s issues.

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL)