Glimmers of Hope.…
Yesterday was the last day of the Social Forum of Resistance (FSR) and Social Forum of Justice and Democracy (FSMJD). Today, we reflect on our experience.
These types of Forums have been taking place here in Porto Alegre since 2001, when the first World Social Forum (WSF) was held. The ongoing continuation of these events now, more than two decades later, demonstrates the resilience and perseverance of people in the face of oppression. Indeed, the challenges faced by social movements here now, have in many ways grown and expanded since 2001, rather than been addressed. Based on conversations and observations we had at the FSR and FSMJD, it is clear that challenges are both exterior and interior to the Forum processes. Externally, the ongoing exploitation of the Global South by the Global North through unequal exchange/trade, as well as a more recent increase in state and police violence, are strongly felt in Brazil. Internally, the Forum processes face challenges in adequately consolidating all of the social movements which take part, and ensuring that all voices are heard and included (i.e., that the inequalities that they are fighting against are not reproduced within their own fight). Despite these challenges, glimmers of hope remain.
These Forums not only provide a space resistance, but a space to actively build another world, as reflected in the WSF slogan “another world is possible”. Building another world within the confines of the old is no easy task. It is simultaneously overwhelming and draining, as well as inspiring and uplifting. These deeply emotional fights were expressed at the Forums through many different channels: slam poetry spoken by youth about their experiences of marginalization based on the color of their skin and their economic status, hip-hop danced by women to combat machismo culture and end femicide, Indigenous peoples speaking about the loss of their land and sharing their culture in a church (and in-so-doing, actively mending old wounds), and of course dozens of panel-style events for people to discuss challenges and co-create plans of action. All of these events were held in different locations around the city, allowing us to also experience the city of Porto Alegre and see other forms of resistance, such as through street art and protests.
At these various events we had the chance to meet with wonderful people. One of them, a previous diplomat, took the time to voluntarily do live interpretation (from Portuguese to French) in order to ensure that we could understand the content of the seminars we were attending. Others took us out to experience traditional samba dancing, eat local food, and show us important cultural sights in the city. Many of them shared with us their personal experiences of resistance and expressed thankfulness for the solidarity of international youth, made possible by Katalizo. The five of us have also bonded over the past week. We each have different interests and perspectives on how to achieve change and through which channels, but through sharing experiences and conversations, we also see clear convergences between ourselves.
In solidarity, there are glimmers of hope.
