Ativismo no Instagram : como mulheres brasileiras imigrantes constroem caminhos para resistência às violências diaspóricas

Abstract

The present study aimed to discuss the digital activism outlined on Instagram in recent years, and how this characteristic contributes to build a safe network for Brazilian immigrant women on the platform. We propose to understand the paths used by content creators on their pages as a way to shed light on the issues of racism, xenophobia, and sexism experienced by them and their followers. To achieve this goal, we chose to conduct in-depth semi-structured interviews with eight Brazilian immigrant women residing in developed countries in Europe, North America, and Oceania, who manage Instagram profiles focused on these issues. The entire research is grounded in the perspective of Cultural Studies, which leads us to understand how cultural differences, the expression of xenophobia, sexism, and racism, stemming from the historical process of colonization, impact how these women experience their social relationships outside of Brazil and construct their diasporic identity. The results obtained from the interviews reveal that Instagram means an opportune environment for the exposition of different forms of violence and the debate surrounding them due to its potential range and capacity to "burst the bubble", expanding dialogues beyond social media. Therefore, creators are able to build a niched and secure network, promoting support for their fellow countrywomen living abroad and actively resisting the stereotypes associated with the image of Brazilian immigrant women.