Why So Many Brazilians Hate the World Cup

Mario Tama, a staff photographer for Getty Images, first caught my eye a few months ago with this disturbing photo above taken in what the caption calls Rio de Janeiro’s “Cracolandia” (Read: “Crackland” or “Dope City”). In addition to the complexity of his layered compositions, the ‘daily life’ photos he’s been filing from Brazil ever since are compeling for their potential to offer a counterpoint to the state and corporate sponsor-sanctioned glossy imagery of the World Cup, which opens today.

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animalnewyork.com/2014/picture-rio-many-...ians-hate-world-cup/

Even though soccer is thought of as a kind of “religion” in Brazil, with the nation having won more championships than any other, millions are calling bullshit and have been protesting the event for over a year. Many see it as an opportunity to funnel tax money into the hands of corrupt politicians, real estate developers, hotel conglomerates, sex traffickers and mostly prominently FIFA, the tax-exempt, “ comically grotesque ” organization that produces the event. South Africa’s economy never saw a return on their $3.9 billion investment into hosting the last World Cup, and Brazil has already outspent them nearly three times over.

Their government is the same as any other. They don't care about the poor and destitute. Michael Jackson completed a video there of his song, "They Don't Care About Us", and he showed the poor people of Rio. I would riot too If the government didn't care about thousands of displaced, "throw-away(s)", children roaming the streets. People openly beg for food.

The rich elite of Brazil have no shame. They are spending billions on the upcoming Olympics.

Like anywhere else in the world you may visit, take the proper precautions and you'll be fine.


Stay in the tourist areas unless you're with trusted locals, don't venture out late at nights, don't tell strangers which hotel you're staying at, don't walk around with your credit cards and passport etc.