Brazil's Protests: A Blip, or the Making of a Movement?

For Brazilians and Brazil-watchers alike, the protests this week have either inspired alarm or hope. On one hand, there are the conspiracy theorists, who think the protests are engineered to impact the presidential elections and are organized by nefarious elements from the extreme left. On the other, some hope this is finally it: a real, nationwide movement to hold the government responsible for security, corruption, and public services. Could it be an end to the usual apathy and complacency, to the shrug and "vai-fazer-o-que," to the "vai-acabar-em-pizza" attitude? Are people finally going to take action? Is this the start of something big?

Those in favor of the protests want them to mean something more. A photo has been circulating on Facebook of a "future" book called "The 20 Cent Revolution: The Protest that Changed Brazil." And it's arguably the continuing violence to repress the protests that's serving as fuel for a movement. But they could peter out after new protests planned for next week, or it could become like Occupy Wall Street--where a movement gains a lot of momentum and media attention, but fizzles out and doesn't actually accomplish much or end in many concrete results.

One challenge is identifying a common goal or theme. Though the protests originally began because of a a bus fare increase, they grew into something bigger. The problem is, though, that the messaging is not completely coherent. (On social media, for example, there are several hashtags to describe the protests, and more are emerging, too.) There are protests scheduled in Rio and São Paulo on Monday, as well as 27 cities worldwide over the course of the week, so it remains to be seen if a more centralized message develops.

The one thing the protests are accomplishing in the short term is starting a dialogue. It's not only in the traditional media and on social media, but it's also getting people talking--even strangers on the bus, said a friend in Rio.

The protests couldn't come a better time to gain international attention. The Confederations Cup began today and runs through the end of the month. For the next year, Brazil's going to be in the spotlight. Before the Brazil vs. Japan game started this afternoon, ESPN in the United States showed scenes from the protests--including the one in Brasilia today--and briefly mentioned what was happening. President Dilma Rousseff and FIFA President Joseph Blatter were booed at the opening of the game. Rousseff has yet to address the protests publicly.

So it remains to be seen if this is a blip or a movement. But at the very least, it's starting an important discussion.

Images: Via social media, Salad Uprising. Second image reads: Sorry for the inconvience, we're changing the country.

Comments

[Joe]

My advice: dont go to the world cup in Brazil.

[Joseph Lemien]

Thanks for sharing the information. I'm trying to understand what is going on at the moment in Brazil, and your blog is really helpful for me. I'll keep following what you write.