BBB 24: Who are the Davises from Brazil?

Black, poor men, coming from favelas, often trapped in the stereotypes created by society. Yes, I’m referring to Davi Brito, participant of BBB 24, but I’m also talking about myself. Our narratives share deep similarities, yet our successes are rarely highlighted.

The stories of the Brazilian Davises have been systematically told through the lens of the sensationalism of police news. It is crucial that we adopt a new perspective, a vision of empowerment, transformation and non-violence, so that we have the chance to be recognized.

One of the most urgent challenges is to change the stigmatized perception associated with violence that involves the population on the outskirts. As a member of G10 Favelas, I seek to replace this marginalized and violent image with a vision of an autonomous, entrepreneurial community capable of solving problems.

While children from rich families with a positioning profile, like Davi, with opinions and a desire to win, are treated as creative and promising, those from favelas are labeled as potential offenders, marginalized by a society that labels them as violent.

We are not violent, we are violated and marginalized by the absence of the State. We are constantly victims of structural violence perpetrated by those who deny us opportunities and by a State that deprives us of basic rights.

The rejection that some BBB24 participants show towards Davi evokes negative feelings in me, as I recognize the looks, criticism and mockery, all loaded with prejudice, which are often veiled or rooted in the social structure. I recognize exactly what’s behind David’s look, whether it’s sad, reflective or resilient.

Many times, I saw myself reflected in that same gaze and I still recognize it when I feel confronted by prejudiced questions about my achievements and the successes of our projects. After all, what could you expect from a boy from Bahia, resident of the Paraisópolis favela, son of a deaf woman with fourteen children living above a stream in a region called Pé Inchado?

Regarding the recent episode that resulted in the expulsion of a participant, I ask: what if the situation had unfolded differently? What if David had been the aggressor? Would the Maria da Penha Law be applied? Would he be immediately expelled and cancelled?

Now, another participant is the target, nominated by Davi for the “wall” and wants to “cancel” the participant because he considered her “useless in the game”. It’s worth noting how she referred to Davi throughout the program: psychopath, malicious, dangerous, toxic, manipulative, violent, aggressive, cynical, liar, bad, underground, weak, stupid, dishonest, brat, ill-mannered. Perhaps now he has realized the need to react.

I, like Davi, am black, Bahian, grew up in a favela and still live in it. However, I never accommodated myself or let myself be intimidated by the challenges, especially by prejudice. This prejudice is a reality that is often accompanied by demagogic speeches and empty promises.

The favela hasn’t won yet. I remain proud of having lived and overcome obstacles in this world called favelas. However, from an early age, I understood the call and continue fighting to change this reality, always suggesting a new perspective on Brazil’s favelas, a transformative perspective.

Only this vision will be able to promote the much-needed change, creating a more just, dignified and humane world.

We, black men and women, are often our own references.

Brazil’s Davises, once considered destined to fail, are now inevitable and will be our future champions. I want to inspire a legion of Davises to believe that they are capable of much more than they imagine, making their dreams come true.

So, I continue writing my own story, which changes with each David who succeeds in life. All of us, black men and women from the suburbs, are David. We are the face of Brazil!