Researching Protest Literacies: Literacy as Protest in the Favelas of Rio de Janeiro

Researching Protest Literacies explores how literacy practices mobilize, perform, and disseminate protest in favelas from 2006-2016, conceptualizing five forms of literacy used to enact social change. It is of interest to scholars in literacy studies, arts education, social movement studies, and international literacies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 29 December 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Researching Protest Literacies delves into the intricate dynamics of literacy development as a powerful tool for mobilizing, performing, and disseminating protests in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. Through a comprehensive blend of ethnographic fieldwork and extensive archival research, the book explores how traditional and technology-driven literacy practices shaped a new cycle of social protest from 2006 to 2016. The chapters meticulously trace nuanced interactions, document shifting power dynamics, and conceptualize five distinct forms of literacy employed to bring about social change: campaigning literacies, memorial literacies, media-activist literacies, arts-activist literacies, and demonstration literacies. Building upon these, the study proposes protest literacies as a novel approach to researching the role of contemporary literacy in protest.

This insightful monograph holds immense appeal to doctoral students, researchers, and scholars engaged in the fields of literacy studies, arts education, social movement studies, as well as those interested in exploring research methodologies in education and international literacies. Its comprehensive analysis and innovative framework offer valuable insights into the complex interplay between literacy, power, and social activism, shedding light on the ways in which individuals and communities utilize literacy to challenge dominant narratives and advocate for change.

The book's ethnographic fieldwork provides a rich and immersive perspective, allowing the author to closely observe the lived experiences of local residents, social movements, and media producers in the favelas. Through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and analysis of relevant documents and media, the author unravels the intricate ways in which literacy practices shape protest movements and contribute to social transformation.

The chapters of Researching Protest Literacies are organized into a clear and coherent narrative, each focusing on a specific aspect of literacy development and its role in protest. The first chapter introduces the study's framework and highlights the significance of examining the textually mediated reactions of local residents, social movements, and media producers to policy changes implemented in the favelas. It sets the stage for the subsequent chapters, which delve into the various forms of literacy employed by protestors.

The campaigning literacies chapter explores how literacy practices are used to organize and mobilize protestors, disseminate information, and build collective identities. It examines the role of newspapers, pamphlets, and social media in shaping public discourse and mobilizing support for protest movements. The memorial literacies chapter explores how literacy practices are used to commemorate and honor those who have been affected by social injustice and violence. It examines the creation of memorials, graffiti, and other forms of visual art as means of expressing grief, resistance, and hope.

The media-activist literacies chapter examines how literacy practices are used to produce and distribute media content that amplifies the voices of protestors and challenges dominant narratives. It explores the role of bloggers, vloggers, and social media influencers in shaping public opinion and mobilizing support for protest movements. The arts-activist literacies chapter explores how literacy practices are used to create and perform artistic expressions that convey messages of social justice and protest. It examines the role of music, dance, and theater in shaping public perception and mobilizing support for protest movements.

The demonstration literacies chapter examines how literacy practices are used to organize and participate in protests and demonstrations. It explores the role of placards, chants, and other forms of visual communication in conveying messages and building collective momentum. The chapter also examines the strategies employed by protestors to evade police surveillance and maintain their safety during protests.

Throughout the book, the author employs a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on insights from literacy studies, social movement studies, and cultural studies. This approach allows the author to explore the complex interplay between literacy, power, and social identity, and to shed light on the ways in which literacy practices shape the dynamics of protest movements and contribute to social change.

Researching Protest Literacies is a groundbreaking contribution to the field of literacy studies, offering a fresh perspective on the role of literacy in social activism. The book's comprehensive analysis and innovative framework provide valuable insights into the ways in which individuals and communities utilize literacy to challenge dominant narratives, advocate for change, and create a more just and equitable society. By focusing on the textually mediated reactions of local residents, social movements, and media producers to policy changes implemented in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, the book demonstrates the power of literacy as a tool for mobilizing, performing, and disseminating protest.

In conclusion, Researching Protest Literacies is a must-read for anyone interested in the fields of literacy studies, arts education, social movement studies, and education more broadly. The book's insightful analysis and innovative framework offer valuable insights into the complex interplay between literacy, power, and social activism, and provide a roadmap for future research in this area. By focusing on the textually mediated reactions of local residents, social movements, and media producers to policy changes implemented in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, the book demonstrates the power of literacy as a tool for mobilizing, performing, and disseminating protest.

Weight: 524g
Dimension: 158 x 237 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367374013