Thinking about a conversation with a local resident on on Copacabana beach last Friday I have begun to realize some of the many perceptions and misconceptions from people form outside of Rocinha have of the favela. Most of the information people from outside the favela get of Rocinha is negative, of military operation, killing, drug trafficking, etc. These images are projected in the news, on the internet, and in the movies. With the constant negative images people are constantly fed about Rocinha it is easy to understand that many people know very little of how people live, work, and play in Rocinha.
I stopped to ask a man directions on the beach. I was on Copacabana beach and I wanted to walk to Impanema beach, so I asked him the route. I have had to ask directions many times in Brazil and people are always friendly and helpful. When time is of no importance, like my day on the beach, asking direction usually leads into a conversation; where are you from, what are you doing here, do you like it in Rio, etc.
The man I was talking to on the beach was in his 50s. I told him I am living in Rocinha and I described to him my project. As I described computer use, internet access, and knowledge of technology in Rochina he would say, "Really??? I thought that......" and the misconceptions were revealed. Here were some of his misconceptions of the peoeple in Rocinha related to technology:
No home internet access
No knowledge of how to use computers
Knowledge of life in the favela is learned through the media and the media doesn't report about such facts of everyday life, so it understandable that many have these assumptions about Rocinha. The digital divide, as I argue in my thesis, is no longer a useful way to describe technology distribution around the globe and between the classes. There are complex levels of access, knowledge, use, and needs for modern communication and information technology around the globe. We can no longer assume poor people don't have technology, we have to assume they do.
Drum roll please!!!!!!! Now revealing…. the i2i student/staff-produced films you have all been waiting for!!!! Yesterday 40 i2i students, 8 i2i volunteers,2 i2i staff, and a few extras made the trip to PUC to view these films in a conference room on the big screen (Thanks PUC). We began by showing a photo slideshow with music that I made with the pictures I have been taking while in Rocinha. We then moved into the 9 films. Before each film the students were instucted to come to the front to introduce their film. Most of the students were embarrassed, but it was nice having the participants recognized in front of the group. It was a great event full of cheers, laughs, hooting, and clapping. From the enthusiasm of the students and staff at i2i for this project and event I have a feeling that this will not be the last i2i Movie Exhibition.
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