A violência letal juvenil na perspectiva de mães

Abstract

Lethal and police violence in Brazil, especially against black and peripheral young people, is a worrying phenomenon, reflecting the criminalization of these groups. Statistics indicate that young black people are three times more likely to be victims of state violence compared to young white people. In response to this reality, movements of mothers who fight against state terrorism have emerged, seeking justice and memory for their children, many of whom were murdered by state agents or by criminal factions. This study focuses on the juvenicide of black and peripheral youth in the Vila de Ponta Negra, in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, from the perspective of mothers who lost their children. Two families were interviewed: one whose son was a victim of police violence, and one affected by the performance of factions in the southern region of Natal. The objective is to analyze the experiences of mothers after the murder of their children, understanding the processes experienced, the impact on mental health and the support networks accessed. The methodology adopted is the historical and dialectical materialistic perspective for understanding reality. The analysis of the cases of juvenicide of the youth of Natal is categorized using thematic analysis, resulting in three main themes: mental health and violence: the worst day of my life; while I live, I will fight for justice; the paradox between the movement against police violence and silence as a response. In the context of criminalization and judicialization of poverty, this study seeks to unravel life stories that reveal different interpretations of two distinct realities, highlighting the urgency of facing these challenges.