Mestre Betinho

Origin

Bucaiúva, MG

Years active

1971–1997

Genres

activism, sociology

Biography

Herbert José de Souza, widely known as Betinho, was a prominent Brazilian sociologist and human rights activist. Born in Bucaiúva, Minas Gerais, he dedicated his life to social justice and the fight against poverty and hunger in Brazil. His activism began in his youth within the Catholic Action movement, and he was a co-founder of the Popular Action (AP) at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). Betinho was a fervent supporter of the base reforms proposed by President João Goulart's government and actively resisted the 1964 military coup and the subsequent dictatorship.

Due to intensified repression, Betinho went into exile in 1971, living in Chile, Canada, and Mexico. During his time abroad, his commitment to democracy deepened. Upon his return to Brazil in 1979, he founded the Brazilian Institute of Social and Economic Analyses (Ibase) and became a significant voice in the movement for amnesty. His return was famously marked by the song "O bêbado e a equilibrista" by Aldir Blanc and João Bosco, which became an anthem for the amnesty campaign.

In 1993, Betinho founded the "Ação da Cidadania contra a Fome, a Miséria e pela Vida" (Citizenship Action Against Hunger, Misery, and for Life), a vast national mobilization network aimed at combating poverty and hunger. This initiative reached millions of Brazilians and became one of his most impactful legacies. He also played a crucial role in bringing discussions about HIV/AIDS to Brazil, co-founding the Brazilian Interdisciplinary AIDS Association (Abia) in 1986. Betinho passed away in 1997, leaving behind a profound legacy of social activism and a commitment to a more just and equitable Brazil.