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UBC Theses and Dissertations

Finish the eulogy, Brazil : a call for the end of the subject Daher, Pedro

Abstract

Difference speaks. This much can be readily assessed when one surveys the global politicaleconomic landscape. In the context of the Americas, difference screams; whether from black or indigenous populations (or other marginalized and subjugated communities), their words have been receiving some attention in the era of widespread faith in Liberalism. The goal of this thesis is to interrogate what difference has meant, what it means, and what it can mean. By reviewing major works that tried to rearticulate difference in the 20th century and tracing the construction of the current global reality through the articulation of the Modern Subject through difference, this work seeks to provide a critical account of how difference is deployed today, why it still means violence, and why it can only signify death and dispossession while it is articulated through differentiation. Finally, this thesis argues that something else is possible. That is, it postulates that difference can be something other than differentiation and self-determination. By engaging philosophy and critical race theory, I hope to excavate what lies within difference. I also examine two recent cases of violence in Brazil against its always already subjugated people - namely, black and indigenous populations. Finally, I propose that a shift in how difference is thought about, conceived of, perceived, and experienced is possible. To argue for this change, I try to show that reality actually means something else through quantum physics, indigenous thought, and critical theory works which call for the release of imagination and from certainty. With this, I hope to reflect and provide help for the project of social justice.

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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International