The Last Bolsonaro Supporter
The article discusses a resident in a Rio de Janeiro condominium who epitomizes the clandestine support for Bolsonaro, reflecting broader societal tensions surrounding the former president's legacy.
The article provides a glimpse into a social dynamic in a condominium in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro, where the last overt supporter of Bolsonaro resides. This individual is considered an outlier, as public connections to Bolsonaro have become taboo among his neighbors, despite lingering private admiration for the former president's name. The title's use of "last" metaphorically hints at both finality and extremism, showcasing how support for Bolsonaro, once overt, has now transformed into a more secretive admiration akin to a 'dirty word.'
The catalyst for the discourse surrounding Bolsonaro in this setting is an incident involving the condominium's common pool, where the son of the caretaker was caught splashing in the water—a simple act that has sparked significant contention. This scenario echoes broader narratives of cultural and social division in Brazil, linking to how certain factions of society react to everyday events that might challenge their ideologies. A formal request for a ban on pool access for children represents the discomfort and exaggeration seen in other instances of Bolsonaro's supporters, such as the public backlash against a former minister's child's vacation abroad.
In conclusion, the narrative illustrates a microcosm of Brazilian society grappling with the remnants of Bolsonaro's presidency, defined by the complicated relationship his supporters share with the past. The story reflects the pervasive atmosphere of fear and censorship that has led individuals to conceal their political affiliations while still fervently holding onto symbols of their beliefs, pointing toward ongoing tensions that could have lasting implications for the political landscape in Brazil.