Minoritarian Liberalism: A Travesti Life in a Brazilian Favela

In Rocinha, the largest favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Moisés Lino e Silva explores the concept of "minoritarian liberalism" and offers ethnographic evidence of non-normative routes to freedom for those seeking liberties against capitalist exploitation, transphobia, racism, and other patterns of domination.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 23 March 2022
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

A captivating ethnography delves into the heart of Rio's largest favela, unveiling the profound politics of freedom articulated by its residents against the backdrop of various forms of oppression. Normative liberalism, championing the freedom of privileged subjects, often at the expense of marginalized groups, including Black people, children, LGBTQ individuals, and slum dwellers, has emerged as a dominant ideology. In this deeply immersive ethnography of Rocinha, the largest favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Moisés Lino e Silva delves into the transformative power of challenging normative understandings of liberty. He introduces readers to a diverse collective of favela residents, with a special focus on Natasha Kellem, a charismatic self-declared travesti. While many within this community identify as "queer," others face discrimination simply due to their residence in favelas. Through these interconnected experiences, Lino e Silva not only pushes the boundaries of anthropological inquiry but also presents compelling ethnographic evidence of alternative routes to freedom for those seeking liberation amidst capitalist exploitation, transphobia, racism, and other patterns of domination.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226818276