A week ago today, women around the world received flowers and chocolate for International Women’s Day. Today, Brazil woke up with the news that Marielle Franco, a young, vibrant, black city councilwoman from Rio was assassinated in the street, along with her driver, Anderson Gomes. Marielle was from the community Maré, which is composed of 16 favelas in Rio and is home to 130,000 people. She was 38 years old and dedicated her life to speaking out against the injustices that are daily committed against marginalized people like herself and was elected to Rio’s city council in 2016 with the 5th most votes of any candidate. In the brief 14 months of her term, she was a powerful activist for people of color, women and the working class who lived in the favelas of Rio. She was a necessary and pivotal voice from the community who advocated for people who are largely written off as “thugs” and “criminals”.
A little over a month ago due to escalating violence, the Military Police of Brazil intervened in Rio, which has arguably only made the situation worse for multiple reasons including corruption and excessive police violence that mostly catches innocent people in the crosshairs. Two weeks ago, Marielle was elected to the commission that would accompany and regulate this military intervention. Last weekend she denounced the police for excessive violence against residents in the community. Last night she was murdered. Police reports show that the direction of the gunshot wound came from behind and knew exactly where she was sitting in the car despite tinted windows. They had most likely been followed from an event where Marielle had been meeting with women in the community. Nothing was stolen. There was no other motive besides wanting her dead. And yet there are some who are saying this morning, “See? She was killed by her own kind- thugs, the very people she defended. This is why we need the police intervention.”
As I think about this vibrant, powerful black woman whose voice and life has been cut too short for obviously political reasons, it makes me sick to my stomach. It makes me sick to think of her 19 year old daughter who lost her mother. It makes me sick to think of the years of difference she could have made empowering the people of her community- inspiring perhaps a new generation of leaders and prophets that this world so desperately needs. But mostly I am sick to my stomach because I know a lot of powerful, amazing black women (and men) here in Brazil who have also dedicated their lives to fighting for the rights of all of God’s children, especially the most vulnerable. Women and men who have shaped me and taught me and who have become like family to me. And it chills me to think that this could happen to any one of them, simply because of the color of their skin or the depth of their convictions.
At the same time, I am also deeply convicted by my privilege (as both an American and a white person) that allows me to be surprised that something like this could happen. As I process with friends and follow social media here in Brazil, one thing became very clear- this is not surprising to them. This is not unimaginable to them. They have had to live through this kind of violence their whole lives. (Side note- I have also heard time and time again that what is going on in Rio with this intervention is all too reminiscent of the start of the Military Dictatorship in the 60’s). Marginzalized communities deal with this every day (in the United States too), multiple times a day and are no longer surprised when the lives of their most prophetic voices are silenced or threatened.
All that being said, I am also deeply encouraged and humbled by the hope, resilience and power of the people who are manifesting in solidarity with Marielle. Yes, there is deep pain and grief today. There are many tears that are being shed, mostly from those who now find one more reason to not feel safe in their own skin. But they will not stay there. They will lament. But they will not despair. They will continue to fight. They will continue to rise. They will continue to speak truth to power even though it may cost them dearly, though it may cost them everything.
I know news from Brazil doesn’t always reach the US, and even though this story was published today in the New York Times, I just didn’t feel like it did it justice. So I wanted to share her story, as I felt like perhaps it was one small thing I could do at this moment to stand in solidarity with so many people that I love.
“Those in power may be able to kill a few flowers, but they will never be able to stop the Spring.” - Che Guevara
#mariellepresente
