Construção do ethos de mulheres negras na política nos perfis do Instagram de Benedita da Silva (PT) (original) e Érika Hilton (Psol)

Abstract

The active participation of Black women in the Brazilian sociopolitical landscape is a highly relevant phenomenon, demanding an investigation that addresses the intersectionality of gender, race, and class. The historical lack of visibility and voice of this group, intensified by media bias, highlights the urgency of unveiling contemporary social dynamics. Data from the Gender and Race in the 2022 Elections survey, conducted by the National Observatory of Women in Politics (ONMP), reveal that the success rate of candidacies by Black women was only 5.65% in the 2022 elections, in contrast to 11.31% and 60.62% for white women and white men, respectively (ONMP, 2022). This scenario highlights not only political underrepresentation but also structural barriers that hinder the full participation of Black women, as Gonzalez (2020, p. 64) points out: “being Black and a woman in Brazil [...] means being subject to triple discrimination, since the stereotypes generated by racism and sexism place her at the highest level of oppression.” This research analyzes the construction of the political ethos of Benedita da Silva (PT) and Érika Hilton (PSOL), focusing on the discursive strategies and positions expressed in Instagram posts during the electoral period of September 2022. The investigation follows a qualitative approach, as proposed by Minayo (2012), taking into account the subjective elements present in digital interactions. Initially, we describe how the congresswomen present themselves in their profiles, highlighting their self-identification as Black women, a central aspect of their discourse. We then observed all posts published throughout September 2022, totaling 224, from which 10 were selected based on criteria such as thematic relevance, engagement, and clarity in the expression of political positions. The investigation centers on discursive strategies that challenge stereotypes and promote representativeness, assessing their effectiveness in transforming social representations. In line with the theoretical contributions of Dominique Maingueneau (2008a; 2008b; 2015; 2018; 2020; 2023), we examine the relationship between the structuring of discourse and the contexts that enable them. We also discuss the underrepresentation of Black women in positions of power and the role that elected Black women play in transforming this scenario. The analysis of the posts reveals the importance of voices like Benedita da Silva (PT) and Érika Hilton (PSOL) in the fight for rights and representativeness. As Angela Davis (2017) states, “when Black women move, the whole structure of society moves with them.” Among the most recurrent themes in their posts are food security, women’s rights, the fight against racism, and LGBTQIA+ rights. The communication strategies used to mobilize the electorate were also examined, including participation in events, party affiliation, and advocacy for specific causes. Each selected post was contextualized with information such as date, caption, and images. Finally, we discuss how these discursive and visual constructions contribute to shaping new representations of Black women in Brazilian politics, challenging stereotypes and expanding social imaginaries about their presence in spaces of power.