Category Archives: Rio de Janeiro

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

Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro, 2015 – The Samba Schools’ Parades

Posted on February 19, 2015 by

I’ve made it an annual tradition to write about Carnaval in Brazil, and in Rio de Janeiro specifically. Sadly, a number of other projects have kept me away from a more thorough writeup/analysis of Carnaval this year, but you can … Continue reading →

Posted in Brazil, Brazilian Culture, Brazilian Music, Carnaval, Rio de Janeiro

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

Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro, 2014 – Photos from the Second Night

Posted on March 4, 2014 by

Last night marked the second and final night of the major parade of samba schools for Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro. While Portela and União da Ilha stood out for their performances on the second night, it was Salgueiro samba … Continue reading →

Posted in Brazil, Brazilian Culture, Brazilian Music, Carnaval, Rio de Janeiro

Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro, 2014 – Photos from the First Night

Posted on March 3, 2014 by

It’s that time of year again in Brazil – Carnaval. Last night marked the first night of the major parades in Rio de Janeiro, where, beyond the stereotyped vision of women, there were remarkable floats, songs, dance, and pageantry. As … Continue reading →

Posted in Brazil, Brazilian Culture, Brazilian Music, Carnaval, Rio de Janeiro

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

Around Latin America

Posted on December 4, 2013 by

-Peru has launched its biggest exhumation ever, as it tries to find victims from the violence between the Shining Path and the Peruvian state between 1980 and 2000. -Peru is not the only country exhuming victims of violence. In an … Continue reading →

Posted in Around Latin America, Border Issues, Brazil, Corruption, Costa Rica, Drugs and the Drug Trade in the Americas, El Salvador, Elections in Latin America, Governance in Latin America, Honduras, Human Rights Violations, Indigenous Peoples, Latin American Economies, Latin American Politics, Mexico, Nicaragua, Oil in the Americas, Peru, Peru's Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path), Protests in Latin America, Rio de Janeiro, The "Disappeared", United States