Geographies of Hate: Uncovering Spaces of Misinformation, Racism, and Extremism in Brazil

How did Brazil go from a progressive left-wing female president to a far-right male president? To answer this question, David brings a unique perspective that takes into account the uses of technology by favela (urban slums) residents, social movements, and public spaces. This study is based on a 10-month ethnography in the favelas of Vitória, Brazil and 5-month online qualitative study in WhatsApp groups during Brazil’s elections.

He discusses two different studies: one that draws on a 10-month ethnography in the favelas of Vitória, Brazil to study slum residents’ social media practices and engagements; and another one that draws on a 5-month online qualitative study in WhatsApp groups during Brazil’s elections in order to uncover hidden spaces of populism and misinformation. He shows how social media afforded the marginalized the ability to organize, create content, protest, and cross social boundaries, but when that happened they faced something much stronger: social exclusion, police brutality against the blacks and poor, and limited civic engagement.