Texto - Influence on Others - Part I
Not only was Pelé a symbol of Brazil, he was a symbol within the
structures of Brazilian society. At this time in Brazil as Galeano descri-
bes, “in the global social pyramid, blacks are at the bottom and whites
are at the top. In Brazil this 1s called “racial democracy” (1) This social
hierarchy was rigid in Brazil, like in so many countries, and few of those
born on the lower end of the chain were able to navigate their way to
the top. Some of the rare few who could climb the social ladder were
athletes who gained fame and status, both social and economic, through
their athletic prowess.
Clearly Pelé was such an athlete. Galeano comments: “With the
passage of time, the old soccer mutilated by racism gave way to splen-
dor of its diverse colors. And after so many years it is obvious that
Brazil's best players have always been blacks or mulattos. All of them
came up from poverty, soccer offers a shot at social mobility for a poor
child”(2) Pelé's ascent from birth into a poor Brazilian family to beco-
ming an international superstar was evidence of the socially-mobilizing
tool of football.
To other poor Brazilians, Pelé was a source of hope and confidence
that they too could overcome their hardships. Journalist Joao Luiz de
Albuquerque said of Pelé's impact: “He was the light at the end of the
tunnel. All the poor said, “hey, this guy made it, I can make it.” He
brought the rest of Brazil with him:”(3).
• (1) Galeano, Eduardo. Soccer in Sun and Shadow. London UK: Verso 1998. Page 43.
• (2) Galeano 43
• (3)Kirby espn.com. Also on this topic: Murray, Bill. The World's Game: A history of Soccer. University of Illinois Press: Chicago 1996. Page 120.
From: https://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/rescarch-projects/brazil/pele/influence-on-others/. Accessed on 01/11/2023
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