OGA Voices is a platform dedicated to amplifying the voices that matter, those that challenge established narratives and propose more just and sustainable futures. Ailton Krenak is, without a doubt, one of those essential voices. His work – which invites us to abandon anthropocentrism and to recognize the Earth not as a resource stock, but as a living organism – offers the critical perspective we need to debate the future of society and the environment. Krenak reminds us that true innovation lies in “postponing the end of the world” and that technology and communication should serve life, not unrestrained consumption.
Importance and Legacy of Resistance
Krenak’s trajectory is synonymous with articulated resistance, marked by crucial moments in Brazilian history:
- The Shout at the Constituent Assembly: In 1987, Krenak staged a protest that became history. During an emotional speech in the National Constituent Assembly, he painted his face with jenipapo (a traditional Indigenous practice) to denounce the attempt to remove Indigenous rights. This decisive moment is documented and can be seen in the iconic video of the 1987 speech.
- Union of Indigenous Nations (UNI): He was one of the main articulators of the UNI in the 1980s, a crucial movement for the national political mobilization of original peoples.
- Brazilian Academy of Letters (ABL): In 2023, Ailton Krenak was elected the first Indigenous person to occupy a chair in the ABL, solidifying the recognition of his literature. You can check more details about this induction in the official FUNAI news.
- About the Krenak People: To understand the context of his origin, intrinsically linked to the Doce River, the Museu da Pessoa offers a rich collection of life stories and memories.
Philosophy and Literature: Essential Works
Krenak’s books, concise and based on his lectures, have become true manifestos:
- Ideas to Postpone the End of the World (2019): Fundamental work that crystallizes his critique of the separation between humanity and nature. His challenge to anthropocentrism is analyzed in articles such as that in the Brazilian Journal of Environmental Education.
- Life Is Not Useful (2020): A critique of the utilitarian logic of capitalism. Krenak questions whether life only has value if it is productive. This thinking is deepened in interviews, where he comments that “The Earth can leave us behind and follow its path”, echoing the Gaia Theory.
- Tomorrow Is Not for Sale (2020): A powerful reflection on the future, highlighting that hope cannot be commodified.
Media and Other Voices in the Digital Sphere
Ailton Krenak is a figure of great audiovisual impact. His thoughts circulate widely beyond books:
- Lectures and Meetings: He is a constant guest at universities and events, ensuring the presence of his thought on platforms like YouTube, where it is possible to access videos about various aspects of his philosophy, such as “The Earth gives, the Earth eats”.
- Academic Repercussion: His contribution to the anthropological debate is vast, being frequently cited in studies on ecology and original peoples, such as the one that can be found in the USP Anthropology Encyclopedia.
Krenak’s Inspiration for OGA Today and Tomorrow
Ailton Krenak’s journey and thought serve as a moral compass for the discussions we host at OGA. When he challenges us to stop consuming the future and to question whether “Life Is Not Useful” by the metric of capital, he pushes us to seek voices and solutions that are more ethical, open, and focused on collective and environmental well-being. His call to “suspend our arrogant humanity” is, for us, a call to a new era of global dialogue, where communication and information actively support cultural diversity and ecological preservation. His voice reminds us that we are part of the web of life, and OGA is committed to amplifying this essential wisdom.
