Tornar-se catador: Sofrimento ético-político e potência de ação

Abstract

The present paper shows a socio-historic analysis about feelings, affectivities with the intention to support a reflection about ethic-political suffering that recyclable material collector feel while working. This research was achieved through of participant observation and semi-structured interviews with five recyclable material collectors. The data analysis reveals the most frequent emotions are shame and humiliation, which specially come from the discrimination and prejudice. On the other hand, being a collector can also be a source of joy. On one side, for an ethical reason, that is to the possibility of the person to regain his own dignity to insert himself and to be socially recognized as honest worker, distinct from beggars and thieves. On the other side, for having been given the opportunity of organizing and mobilizing themselves together in the battle for better conditions of work and life.