Category Archives: Favelas

The Lived Effects of the Rio Olympics

Posted on July 17, 2016 by

Recently, The Guardian has been running an excellent series on the lived experiences of the Olympics from a usually-ignored perspective: that of those living in favelas. Much of the concern over the upcoming Rio Olympics has fallen on Zika (despite August being … Continue reading →

Posted in Brazil, Favelas, Inequalities in the Americas, Rio de Janeiro, Urban Landscapes | 1 Comment

On Favela Tours (or, “I went so you don’t have to”)

Posted on May 30, 2014 by

I’ve long been a critic of favela tours, for any number of reasons, few of which are likely unique: it objectifies the poor; it is voyeuristic; it reinforces a so-called “First World”/“Third World” dichotomy that objectifies both the poor and … Continue reading →

Posted in Brazil, Class and Classism in the Americas, Favelas, Inequalities in the Americas, Rio de Janeiro | 4 Comments

Regulating Hip-Hop in Brazil?

Posted on February 17, 2014 by

In an unusual story, rappers and hip-hop artists in Brazil are rallying in response to a law that seeks to regulate their art. Politician (and former soccer star) Romário proposed a bill that would regulate hip-hop professionals, including MCs, DJs, … Continue reading →

Posted in Brazil, Brazilian Culture, Brazilian Music, Favelas, Governance in Latin America, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo

On This Date in Latin America -July 24, 1993: The Candelária Massacre

Posted on July 24, 2013 by

In the early hours of the morning on this day twenty years ago, police in Rio de Janeiro murdered eight street children on the steps of Rio’s Candelária Cathedral in what came to be known as the Candelária Massacre. Official … Continue reading →

Posted in Brazil, Children's Rights, Favelas, Human Rights Issues, Human Rights Violations, Impunity, Inequalities in the Americas, Latin American History, Police Violence, Rio de Janeiro, Violence in the Americas | 1 Comment

The Ugly Side of Hosting the World Cup

Posted on March 1, 2013 by

While many Brazilians are celebrating the opportunity to host the World Cup for the first time in 64 years next year, the renovations have had a devastating impact, as the story of Elisângela reminds us . Elisângela wasn’t home when authorities … Continue reading →

Posted in 2014 World Cup, Brazil, Favelas, Inequalities in the Americas, Rio de Janeiro | 1 Comment

The Economic Power of Favelas

Posted on February 26, 2013 by

This is remarkable: Brazil currently has 12 million people living in favelas. They are responsible for generating R$38.6 billion per year in commercial activity, which is equivalent, for example, to the GDP of Bolivia. If they were a state, they … Continue reading →

Posted in Brazil, Brazilian Culture, Favelas, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo

The Next Wave of Gentrification in Rio de Janeiro – Favelas

Posted on January 13, 2013 by

This is gross: Five years ago, Rio de Janeiro’s “favela” hillside slums had such a bad rap that they were virtual no-go zones, where drug lords laid down the law and outsiders set foot at their peril. But since 2011, … Continue reading →

Posted in Brazil, Class and Classism in the Americas, Favelas, Inequalities in the Americas, Land Struggles & Issues, Rio de Janeiro | 1 Comment

Around Latin America

Posted on October 1, 2012 by

-Former president and convicted human rights violator Alberto Fujimori is planning on asking for a pardon from his prison sentence due to health issues in a move that would undo years of efforts for justice for the victims of his … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberto Fujimori, Argentina, Around Latin America, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Civil Conflict in the Americas, Colombia, Corruption, Costa Rica, Curação, Democracy in the Americas, Elections in Latin America, Favelas, Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionárias de Colombia (FARC), Guerrilla Movements in Latin America, Haiti, Honduras, Human Rights Issues, Human Rights Violations, Inequalities in the Americas, International Relations, Land Reform, Land Struggles & Issues, Latin America, Latin American Politics, National Parks, Paraguay, Paramilitary Groups, Peasant Movements, Peru, Police in the Americas, Police Violence, Poverty, Urban Landscapes, Uruguay, Venezuela, Violence in the Americas, War in Latin America

Around Latin America

Posted on September 13, 2012 by

-In Chile, protests erupted as the country commemorated the 39th anniversary of the military coup that overthrew democratically-elected president Salvador Allende. The protests turned violent, however, leaving one officer dead and at least 255 people under arrest. -After conflicting reports of … Continue reading →

Posted in Argentina, Argentina's Military Dictatorship (1976-1983), Around Latin America, Augusto Pinochet, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Favelas, Human Rights Issues, Human Rights Violations, Indigenous Peoples, Jamaica, Labor in Latin America, Latin America, Latin American Economic Relations, Mercosur/Mercosul, Paraguay, Peru, Police Violence, Protests in Latin America, Religion in Latin America, Rio de Janeiro, Student Movements, The "Disappeared", Torture, Venezuela, Violence in the Americas

Brazil’s Military Withdraws from Favelas in Rio de Janeiro

Posted on July 6, 2012 by

In a little-observed story last week, Brazilian military troops announced that, after occupying several favelas since 2010, they were withdrawing from a number of favelas in Rio de Janeiro. In their stead, members of the police’s Unidade de Polícia Pacificadora (Police Pacifying … Continue reading →

Posted in Brazil, Favelas, Police in the Americas, Rio de Janeiro, Urban Landscapes