Social Movements by Pele
To other poor Brazilians, Pele was a source of hope and confidence that they too could overcome their hardships. Pele further enhanced his symbolic status as a gesture towards ending racism through his marriage to a white woman. This action of Pele indicated that Brazil had indeed overcome the racism that Pele himself fought on his rise to stardom. His star power affected change and inspired others to be what they desired to be.
Not only is Pele a symbol for football, he also represents the structures of the Brazilian society. At the time that Pele was being introduced to football, in the global social pyramid, blacks were at the bottom and whites were at the top. In Brazil this was referred to as racial democracy. 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 find their way to the top. Pele is one of the few who could climb the social ladder by gaining fame and status, both social and economic.
Through his immensely talented athletic abilities, Pele conquered such descrimination that took place in the society. After many years it is obvious that Brazil’s best players came up from poverty. Pele inspired the youth to believe that football offers a shot at social mobility for a poor child. Pele’s ascent from birth into a poor Brazilian family to becoming an international superstar was evidence of the socially-mobilizing tool of football.