Portraits of an Invisible People How the Brazilian Media Depicted Arab Immigrants in the Early 20th Century

Abstract

This article examines the representations of Arab immigrants in the Brazilian press during the peak period of Syrian-Lebanese migration, particularly in the first decade of the 20th century. By analyzing newspapers we demonstrate how the media constructed ambivalent narratives about these immigrants, oscillating between exoticization and stigmatization. The study reveals three main axes of representation: (1)The persistent generic labeling as "Turks," despite most being Syrian and Lebanese Christians;(2) The discursive duality that alternated between praising the "hardworking peddler" and criticizing the "cunning merchant";(3) The gradual assimilation of these immigrants as successful entrepreneurs in the 1920s–1930s. Grounded in the concepts of Orientalismo (Edward Said) and O Poder Simbólico (Pierre Bourdieu), the article argues that the press functioned as a mechanism of subaltern inclusion, integrating Arabs into the national narrative while assigning them a marginal place in Brazil’s ethnic hierarchy. The analysis highlights how the stereotypes conveyed—from caricatures of the "Turkish peddler" to representations of the "successful merchant" — reflected both deep-seated prejudices and the process of identity construction in post-abolition Brazil.Beyond contributing to studies on immigration and media representation, this article interrogates the press’s role in shaping social imaginaries, demonstrating how journalistic narratives of the period helped mold perceptions of the Arab presence in Brazil — perceptions that endure to this day.