The urban removal of citizens without warning and without compensation is a major problem in Rio and numerous of Brazil’s other cities. Living in close proximity highly valued land and the fact that these communities often lack the organization to defend themselves legally, the evictions target the poorest members of Brazil’s society. Numerous media outlets have covered these stories over the last couple years, with similar scenarios happening throughout. Pacification process In parts of Brazil’s favelas where evictions were deemed unnecessary, a different set of actions have been implemented to secure the safety of fans, journalists, and teams who will be visiting the city. According to Baena in the Harvard International Review, Rio de Janeiro’s governor visited Colombia in 2007 in order to observe improvements in their public security. Following this trip he managed to allocate nearly $1.7 billion U.S. dollars of government aid to improve the security and livelihood of Rio, mainly in the favelas (Baena, 2011, p. 36). In 2008, the state introduced a new police force known as Pacifying Police Units or UPPs. The UPPs aim to ‘pacify’ favelas through a three step process. First, they stage violent interventions to force out the existing gangs and drug lords who have seized control of power in the regions. Typically, these interventions are “short and brutal raids- arriving at night in armed columns to ransack, torture, and kill” (Parenti, 2010, p. 18). Secondly, once a favela is deemed secure and power is removed from the hands of gangs, so called peacekeeping police units establish permanent bases and begin routine patrols. These patrols are seen as an effort to keep the organized crime from retaining power. The last ... ... middle of paper ... ...duals caused strain on their employment opportunities as well as destroying their existing daily routines and livelihood. The construction taking place in Brazil for the World Cup and Olympics can be closely related to urban development projects (UDPs). According to Swyngedouw (2002), “physical reconstruction and economic recovery tend to go hand in hand” (p. 577). However, UDPs do not affect all residents the same. Similar to the marginalization that takes place during preparation for mega sporting events, UDPs also have a history of increasing “physical and social fragmentation” (Swyngedouw, 2002, p. 577). UDPs are also notorious for the special regulations they receive which enables the timely completion of such projects. Brazil’s preparations for these two mega events have been given special priority and little can stand in the way of the construction.
In Samba, Alma Guillermoprieto describes the Carnival celebrated every year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and explores the black cultural roots from which it takes its traditions as well as its social, economic, and political context in the 1980s. From her firsthand experience and investigation into favela life and the role of samba schools, specifically of Manguiera, Guillermoprieto illustrates a complex image of race relations in Brazil. The hegemonic character of samba culture in Brazil stands as a prevalent theme in numerous facets of favela life, samba schools, and racial interactions like the increasing involvement of white Brazilians in Carnival preparation and the popularity of mulatas with white Brazilians and tourists. Rio de Janeiro’s early development as a city was largely segregated after the practice of slavery ended. The centralization of Afro-Brazilians in favelas in the hills of the city strengthened their ties to black
Brazil is bound to host in a two-year span the largest sport events in the World, The 2014 Soccer World Cup and The Olympic games in 2016. The country will attract a lot of investors looking for some brand exposure since the whole world will have their eyes turned to this tropical country. These events present opportunities for Brazil to benefit from tourism and prove to the world that it is ready to take its place as an important piece of global governance. Although Brazil has a flourishing economy, it still has many characteristics of a third world country. Social issues remain present in the country’s politics. There are several concerns regarding the capability of an emerging country to host events with that stature.
Larry Rohter was a journalist in Brazil for 14 years and from his experiences he offers in this book some unique insights into Brazilian history, politics, culture and more. In 10 topical chapters Rohter’s easy-to-read book provides a look at Brazilian history and the extraordinary changes the country has undergone -- and is still undergoing. Rother covers many significant issues, but several stand out more than others. Namely: the country’s history, culture, politics, and finally its economy/natural wealth.
Introduction The exponential growth of gangs in the Northern Triangle countries (Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras) has led to an epidemic of violence across the region. The two largest and most formidable gangs in the Northern Triangle, the Mara Salvatrucha-13 (MS-13) and the Barrio 18, wage battles against one another to control territory and defend against incursions. In 2011, Honduras led the world in homicides, with 91.6 per 100,000 people; rates were also alarmingly high in El Salvador and Guatemala, at 69.1 and 38.5 per 100,000 people, respectively. In El Salvador, a country with a population of only 6.2 million people, 4,354 were the victims of homicide in 2011 alone, with the Catholic Church estimating that more than 1,300 of these deaths were the direct result of gang violence. To counteract the growth of the gang phenomenon, during the 2000s the Northern Triangle countries favored a mano dura (iron fist) approach to dealing with the increasing belligerence of gangs.
In the favela of São Paulo, Brazil, 1958, Carolina Maria de Jesus rewrote the words of a famous poet, “In this era it is necessary to say: ‘Cry, child. Life is bitter,’” (de Jesus 27). Her sentiments reflected the cruel truth of the favelas, the location where the city’s impoverished inhabited small shacks. Because of housing developments, poor families were pushed to the outskirts of the city into shanty towns. Within the favelas, the infant mortality rate was high, there was no indoor plumbing or electricity, drug lords were governing forces, drug addiction was rampant, and people were starving to death. Child of the Dark, a diary written by Carolina Maria de Jesus from 1955 to 1960, provides a unique view from inside Brazil’s favelas, discussing the perceptions of good
“Because of the rapid growth experienced by this country in terms of urban development, industrialization and population at the beginning of the 21st century, Brazil is facing a number of social, environmental and political challenges” (Meyer 2010). Over the years, Brazils infrastructure has been a topic of concern as the quality and quantity of growth seem to be lacking. One might be familiar with the recent 2016 Olympics in Rio and how many complaints were made about the unfinished quarters where people were staying and how the under developed the city
The power that the drug cartels have over the Mexican government and civilians has risen, terrorizing the country as a whole. With the fear the cartels have drilled in the civilians in Mexico, the United States has taken action to aid its neighboring country. In many cases Mexican civilians have had to move for their safety; “people move after their source of income has declined or become less sustainable as a result…of violence [from the cartels] and insecurity” (Albuja 29.) The Mexican military and the United States marines have come together to create safety to the civilians in Mexico. Both the Marines and the military govern over the streets of specific parts of the th...
...ant violence in the streets of Brazil, fed by high levels of poverty as well as the drug trade. In spite of the amount of research that has gone into answering some of Brazil’s most burning questions, there are still questions that remain unanswered; answers that remain to be seen beyond the year 2013. What is the best way for Brazil to combat street violence? Government spending? Inflation? Debt? Entitlements? And how will the answers to these questions affect the political stability and democratic development of the country in the long term? As much progress as Brazil has made in recent decades, there are still just as many questions to be answered. But if you are a Brazilian, maybe it is just time to enjoy the world stage while you’re on it. Not every country gets this chance, but it is how the Brazilian people handle it that will determine the country’s future.
As a result, the law enforcement officials have proven to have a lack of empathy and the poor connection to their county. Which has provoked many citizens to speak out against law enforcement and in view of the opinion of the newscasters it has “created a climate of fear” and has left the Latin community feeling intimidated and helpless. The government has precautionary reactions to this violence and have observed the organization of MS-13. The video then speaks of the gangs as “domestic terrorists” with the most threatening crimes, such as the piling unsolved homicide cases, which have led to many suspects. Government officials chose to state that these gang members would be eradicated from their community, by remaining fully committed to “finishing the job”.
Homelessness is a major public health problem throughout the United States due to increasing income disparities.1 About 650,000 people are homeless on any given day.2 Homelessness not only affects individuals, but families which include adults, children who may also experience mental illness, disabilities, or substance abuse.3 Homelessness is correlated with mental illness, substance abuse as well as loss of employment, poor health and, limited access to resources. While the state budget immediately considers fund housing initiatives to solve chronic homelessness it may not be the most efficient policy that this population needs. Housing does not provide necessary health services, may offer unequal aid to individuals and families, and may not be a priority for those individuals who are homeless. The state government should not fund housing policies for the homeless.
#2. Tenants are often given two options while being evicted from their residence - their possessions can be loaded into a truck and checked into bonded storage or movers can pile their belongings onto the sidewalk. What challenges and consequences may a tenant or family face when experiencing one of these two scenarios? If you were suddenly faced with the decision to move or store your possessions, which option would you choose? Families that are evicted from their homes are given two options: have their possessions thrown onto the streets or pay for a storage unit to have them locked away.
This documentary takes the opportunity to highlight the battle behind the lead up to the 2016 Olympic Games and explores the problems that host nation Rio de Janeiro is going through, problems that the International Olympic Committee does not want people to know. Embroiled in scandals, and mistreatment of its own citizens Rio de Janeiro is looking to set an example to the rest of the world on how not to prepare for hosting an Olympic Games.
A criminal organization challenges the state to create better policy for the every citizen. It challenges current policies like the police’s right to kill and the way the justice system is ran. In Sao Paulo for example, the PCC, Primeiro Comando da Capital (first Capital Command), was created to protect those who are not protected by the state. The PCC recruit its members and motivates them to be a part of their projects to make money, to have power and to control drug trafficking which can compare state backed NGO’s, philanthropies and religious groups who target black men as an issue in society that needs fixing. The PCC organizes and brings them together, putting their anger and frustrations with
During the world cup mass protests took place to expose how the country invested so much in preparing for the World Cup while so many residents were living in poverty (Human Rights Watch, 2014). This issue has the potential to become volatile as the country is currently experience an economic slowdown and the unemployment numbers begin to rise. Another result of extreme poverty is the lack of skilled workforce which makes it difficult for companies staff their business with local residents which keeps them from investing in the community (Deloitte,
Almost every inhabitant of the Colombian Amazon has an interesting story to tell about their home, which is one of the most amazing places in the world. The Amazon provides survival experiences, exotic food, extreme recreation, and a unique livelihood to all those who have lived there. However, the character and future of many have also been shaped by a context of poverty, harsh violence, restricted opportunities, geographical disparities and gender inequity. Their best memories are overshadowed by the consequences of many social, political and economic conflicts such as the coca cultivation, the armed conflict, the failure of social claims, the ineffective measures adopted by the Government, and recently, the collapse of financial pyramids.