This post is to enlighten you about the other side -- which you wouldn't want to see -- of the FIFA Football World Cup - 2014 being hosted by Brasil.
The Brasil govt., in its fanatic passion to show the world its "economical prowess", poured billions of dollars into building the stadiums and developing the other infrastructure as demanded by the evil capitalist organization that runs international football -- FIFA. While doing so, the Brasil govt., ignored the survival needs of millions of its citizens. Poor people were evicted from Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasilia and other big cities which are hosting the WC matches.
At the expense of providing essential healthcare, education, shelter and nutrition needs, Brasil govt. pumped that money into the world cup. The bus fares were hiked by about 20%. And as soon as FIFA chose Brasil for hosting this cup, prices of everything went up.. including the house rents which drove people into lot of misery. No the ordinary Brazilians don't gain a bit economically from their hosting the WC, only the rich capitalists and the corporations will reap the benefits. So WC, instead of improving the lives of ordinary people, only degraded it.
Then there was massive beefing up of anti-protester laws by the govt. to crush the dissidents. Police were given absolute powers and heavy surveillance was initiated to quell any would-be protests. And then when the protests did happen, the military and police ruthless beat, shot and manhandled the protesters very badly.. resembling the erstwhile military dictatorship. Even peaceful protests were handled despicably by the police who are serving their capitalist masters quite well!
But most of all, the very appalling and troubling fact is.. the mainstream media of the world is quite contently ignoring the protests! No mention of any sort was made on any of the mainstream international media save for some good media organisations like Guardian and others. But thanks to the unknown heroes of the internet, we were all very well informed about whats really transpiring behind the colorful and cheerful images of players and fans celebrating that mainstream media has been showing us. Salutes to you, unsung heroes!
No wonder the phrase "FUCK YOU FIFA" rings through the Brazilian heartland!
-Mahendranath R
7/8/2014
Chennai, India.
The Brasil govt., in its fanatic passion to show the world its "economical prowess", poured billions of dollars into building the stadiums and developing the other infrastructure as demanded by the evil capitalist organization that runs international football -- FIFA. While doing so, the Brasil govt., ignored the survival needs of millions of its citizens. Poor people were evicted from Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasilia and other big cities which are hosting the WC matches.
At the expense of providing essential healthcare, education, shelter and nutrition needs, Brasil govt. pumped that money into the world cup. The bus fares were hiked by about 20%. And as soon as FIFA chose Brasil for hosting this cup, prices of everything went up.. including the house rents which drove people into lot of misery. No the ordinary Brazilians don't gain a bit economically from their hosting the WC, only the rich capitalists and the corporations will reap the benefits. So WC, instead of improving the lives of ordinary people, only degraded it.
Then there was massive beefing up of anti-protester laws by the govt. to crush the dissidents. Police were given absolute powers and heavy surveillance was initiated to quell any would-be protests. And then when the protests did happen, the military and police ruthless beat, shot and manhandled the protesters very badly.. resembling the erstwhile military dictatorship. Even peaceful protests were handled despicably by the police who are serving their capitalist masters quite well!
But most of all, the very appalling and troubling fact is.. the mainstream media of the world is quite contently ignoring the protests! No mention of any sort was made on any of the mainstream international media save for some good media organisations like Guardian and others. But thanks to the unknown heroes of the internet, we were all very well informed about whats really transpiring behind the colorful and cheerful images of players and fans celebrating that mainstream media has been showing us. Salutes to you, unsung heroes!
No wonder the phrase "FUCK YOU FIFA" rings through the Brazilian heartland!
Watch this great documentary on the real dark side of the football world cup, from VICE NEWS: Contra A Copa: The Other Side of Brazil's World Cup (Full Length)
Complete timeline of protests against the WC in Brasil from VICE NEWS: https://news.vice.com/article/2014-world-cup-live-blog-fifa-partners-ceo-arrested-in-ticket-scam-probe
Complete timeline of protests against the WC in Brasil from VICE NEWS: https://news.vice.com/article/2014-world-cup-live-blog-fifa-partners-ceo-arrested-in-ticket-scam-probe
Image source: http://38.media.tumblr.com/b78826c9d13d8625c3e5edea9a0f2f2e/tumblr_n72blwYnA11qi28sso1_500.jpg
-Mahendranath R
7/8/2014
Chennai, India.
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