Placing slums at the center of the electoral debate, as protagonists, is crucial for building democracy.
The slums of Rio de Janeiro have long held an ambiguous position in political and media discussions during election years. Sometimes they are used as campaign sceneries, while other times they are treated as delicate subjects in candidates' government projects, considered of secondary or utilitarian importance, but unrelated to the central debates of partisan politics. At times, they are openly identified as a problem itself.
However, the votes of slum residents carry the same weight as any other citizen's vote. This fact may disturb certain sectors of society, as demonstrated by the flood of empty controversies and fake news generated by the recent presence of Lula in Complexo do Alemão and the generalized defamation of its residents, labeling them as "criminals." This historic visit was the result of the mobilization of leaders, communicators, and activists from Rio's slums.
It is long overdue for us to consider political positions arising from the slums with seriousness and responsibility. I do not say this as a matter of social inclusion. The slum is political and has the power to directly affect electoral outcomes, be it at the municipal, state, or federal level.
The slum is political beyond the electoral calendar. Nova Holanda, one of the 16 favelas of Maré, where I grew up and developed my entire trajectory, has a history marked by political and cultural effervescence, giving rise to leaders committed to the population. The struggles of slum residents enable the mobilization for rights, against state neglect, and in defense of democracy.
In this context, researchers from the NGO Redes da Maré analyzed the vote count from the first round in the 132 polling stations of the region. The goal is to understand how Maré residents vote and produce alternatives to the narrative of partisan politics originating from there. There were 61,745 eligible voters, enough to elect more than four state deputies. By comparing the results, we can debunk some myths. For example, the notion that slum votes are guided by clientelistic campaigns that rely on social benefits.
Analyses like this allow us to identify new narratives and positions. Considering that over 17 million people live in slums in Brazil, there is an urgent need for a paradigm shift and reorientation of campaigns and government proposals. Placing slums at the center of the electoral debate, as protagonists, is crucial for building a more diverse democracy in Brazil.
By Eliana Sousa Silva, founding director of Redes da Maré
Article published in the newspaper O Globo on 10/25/2022. Link to the article.
