Não vai ter copa?

The news surrounding the 2014 FIFA World Cup has, logically, made its way all around the world. I am going to attempt to recount some objective stories that are occuring at this moment in history and then provide my perspective from living in the thick of it.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/conzpreti/anti-fifa-graffitis-are-covering-the-streets-of-brazil
Here is a buzzfeed article (indeed not the greatest source) that has compiled a fairly effective collection of the anti-FIFA  graffiti all over Brazil. I have seen similar drawings first-hand.
Here are some of the pictures, in case you are too lazy to copy/paste the url.








As usual, the media tends to highlight the negative. In addition to the type of graffiti displayed above, there are many areas of Rio that have created a very welcoming, positive atmosphere for the Cup. Granted, these places are mostly wealthy. If you have not seen the news surrounding the World Cup, the argument from the majority of Brazilians is towards their own government. Millions of dollars were spent on a month long event, while millions of people are suffering from lack of food, shelter, sanitation and education. In addition to the government, citizens speaking out against FIFA itself argue that though in principle, a world-wide event should bring economic prosperity to the host country, FIFA will take most of the profits leaving Brazil in shambles.



http://revolution-news.com/anti-fifaworld-cup-tweetstorm-june-8th-at-7pm-brt-engpt/
Above is a list of tweets with the hashtag #naoworldcup.


http://online.wsj.com/articles/strike-continues-in-sao-paulo-days-ahead-of-world-cup-1402314097
Here is a more academic article about the strikes in São Paulo. The last 6 weeks in Rio have been full of similar strikes from bus drivers, museum employees, etc.


So what do I think?
You won't find me at a Não Vai Ter Copa manifestation, but it is really easy to disagree with everything going on related to this event. There is little to no rebuttal from FIFA or the Brazilian government, which to me suggests that the negative media is largely true. I'm now glad I did not get tickets to a game; I cannot in good faith support something that does so much damage to the place I have come to love.