Defining Voter Preference Amongst Conservative Afro-Brazilians and LGBTI+ Brazilians Open Access

Kaminski, Aleksei (Spring 2020)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/6682x5037?locale=en
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Abstract

This honors thesis investigates conservative voter preference concerning racially and sexually marginalized demographic groups in Brazil following the victory of former military captain and Federal Congressman, Jair Bolsonaro in the 2018 Presidential election. The thesis is a case analysis that includes the oral histories of two socially conservative members from the Afro-Brazilian and LGBTI+ Brazilian communities in the cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo and qualitative data analysis of responses from a sample of young adults in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro. This thesis intends to describe the relationship between marginalization, social demographics, and political dispositions to voter preference and how conservative Afro-Brazilians and LGBTI+ Brazilians cast their vote at polling stations in Brazil. This thesis also highlights the negative perceptions voters of President Bolsonaro from such demographic groups. The unwillingness to understand the political divisions and marginalization of these two communities in Brazil illustrates the current political polarization in both the cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Lastly, this thesis also highlights the importance and need for extensive research and polling of Afro-Brazilians and LGBTI+ Brazilians regarding their political dispositions and neglected public opinion.

Table of Contents

      

Introduction……………………………………………….1

           Antônio, A Gay and Pardo Brazilian Journalist….1

           Methodology……………………………………..6

           A Summary of the Chapters……………………...9

Chapter 1: The Significance and Intersection of Racial and Sexual Marginalization in Brazilian Politics and Society…….12

           What is the definition of marginalization and what is its significance in Brazil?............13

                       Brazil……………………………………13

                       Defining Marginalization in Brazil……..14

                       Racial Marginalization in Brazil………..15

                       Sexual Marginalization in Brazil……….25

           The Challenges of Racial and Sexual Justice in Brazil…....31

           Backlash Against Social Progression……………………..........35

                       Social Activism and The Danger Faced………………..35

                       The Tragedies of Marielle Franco and Jean Wyllys……36

                       The Implications of Franco and Wyllys’ Tragedies……39

           2013-Present: From Operação Lava Jato to President Bolsonaro…………….40

                       The Blackblocs, Operação Lava-Jato, and Dilma’s Impeachment…...40

                       2017-President: The Rise and Support of President Bolsonaro……....43

           My First Impressions of Inequality and Politics in Brazil…...46

                       One Night with Fábio… ……………………………..46

                       Negative Political Dispositions: Adriana…………….49

Chapter 2: Marginalization and Voter Preference for Afro-Brazilian and LGBTI+ Brazilian Voters……...52

           Interviewing Brazilians: Acknowledging Unwillingness and Stigma….54

                       Challenges in the Recruitment for Oral Histories……………...54

                       João and Larissa………………………………………………...56

           Introducing Questionnaire Respondents and Lucas and Sandra………..59

                      Questionnaire Respondents……..59

                      Lucas and Sandra……….……….61

           Political Dispositions and Voting History: Are there visible Differences between Voters for Bolsonaro and Haddad?...............63

                       Trust and Distrust………….64

                       Voting History……………..67

                       Partisanship….…………….68

           Why Bolsonaro or Haddad? Are there visible Demographic and Ideological Relationships

           between Conservative and Liberal Afro-Brazilian and LGBTI+ Brazilian Voters?........72

                       Religion………...…….72

                       Income………………..76

                       Education……………..78

                       Political Priorities…….80

           Conceptualizations of Marginalization: Experiences and Opinions from Respondents and Lucas and Sandra………………………………………………………………………84

                       Sandra’ Perspective on Race and Conceptualization of Racial Marginalization in Brazil …………..…...85

                       Lucas' Perspective on being LGBTI+ and Conceptualization of Sexual Marginalization in Brazil……….88

           National Concerns: Addressing Mutualism between Conservative and Liberal Afro- Brazilian and LGBTI+ Brazilian Voters………………..92

Conclusion…………………………………………………97

           Strengths, Limitations, and Future Directions……100

Appendix A: Common Questions for Lucas and Sandra………………...105

Appendix B: Survey Instrument for Questionnaire Respondents………..108

           Questionnaire (English Version)………………………... ……....109

           Questionário (Portuguese Version)………………… ……………114

Appendix C: List of Figures and Tables ……………………….………...119

Bibliography……………………………………………………………...120

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