The politics of being a soccer fan: an ethnographic perspective on feminist activism around soccer in Brazil
Date
2022
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
This dissertation explores the idea that soccer is intrinsically political because it perpetuates relationships of power – such as gender, race, class, and sexuality. I look at the feminist activism that has been emerging around soccer in recent, that challenges masculine dominance in those in different ways. This research is informed by interpretivist and feminist methodologies, in which I explore my research questions through digital ethnography conducted from 2020 to 2021 and in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted in the first semester of 2021. ☐ In this dissertation, I seek to understand what the implications are of using soccer as a lens to bring attention to power dynamics and systems of oppression, looking at what soccer uncovers about Brazilian society and politics. I explore how and why feminist activism have migrated to soccer, and what is the nature of such activism. I particularly look at the ways in which ways the stadium is a contested space and how people involved in this activism understand the significance of condemning systems of oppression not only in the ways it intertwines with soccer but in society as a whole. I investigate the question of what is the significance of activist movements that are not seeking institutional policy change, but rather, focus on conscious-raising and culture change. I contextualize how this de-centralized activism connects to a broader political context and a broader feminist praxis. ☐ This research explores the extent to which women were able to mobilize around soccer and incorporate a feminist analysis into their practice of social change seeking to overturn political, social, and economic structures while trying to establish an emancipatory vision of society.
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Keywords
Soccer, Brazil, Feminist activism