# The Fight for Rio’s Future

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/09/the-fight-for-rios-future/
- Published: 2018-09-11T21:45:30-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Marielle Franco represented a new, empowered generation of favela leaders from Rio
De Janero. Despite her death, Rio’s leaders are unlikely to back down.

[Ler em português](https://www.americasquarterly.org/content/luta-pelo-futuro-do-rio)

“They tried to bury us, but didn’t realize we are seeds.” – [Proverb](https://medium.com/@ashponders/on-buried-seeds-abd4d3ebba7a)
cited at events marking the March 14 death of Rio de Janeiro city councilwoman Marielle
Franco.

![Rio](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/raphael-nogueira-
OkiDIla7K8Q-unsplash.jpg?resize=420%2C263&quality=52&ssl=1 "raphael-nogueira-OkiDIla7K8Q-
unsplash - The Green Living Guy")

BY [THERESA WILLIAMSON](https://www.americasquarterly.org/content/theresa-williamson)
| MARCH 21, 2018
 RIO DE JANEIRO

Firstly, when Brazil abolished slavery in 1888, enslaved Africans comprised 40 percent
of Rio de Janeiro’s population. Lacking rights in what was, and remains, one of 
the world’s most unequal countries for land ownership. Newly freed slaves mostly
settled into informal communities. They are favelas. These are which today shelter
24 percent of Rio’s population.

More than a century of public policy, often repressive and discriminatory by design.
This has kept the favelas and their residents from realizing their potential. Therefore
and more importantly, from making full use of the assets they have developed in 
their communities.

Though the deck Is stacked against them, Rio’s favela residents have succeeded. 
They weave together a vibrant cultural and collaborative fabric over generations.
This emerging, more positive favela identity is possible since a growing generation
of local leaders are in. They take on roles to organize themselves, improve their
communities and face often neglectful authorities.

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
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Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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