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The power of gestures: How does 'Faz o L' affect Lula and Bolsonaro supporters?
In Brazil, politics is not just about debates and elections, but also about using images and slogans to inspire groups to support or oppose. The familiar slogan "Faz o L" became the signature gesture of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the 2022 Brazilian presidential election. This slogan is now widely used not only among Lula's supporters, but has also sparked fierce ridicule and criticism among supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro.
The use of "Faz o L" has diversified the conversation on social media, reintegrated various meanings, and become a cultural phenomenon.
Behind this gesture lies the deep political divisions in Brazilian society. Lula's supporters use it to tout his achievements and highlight the difference with the Bolsonaro administration. On the other hand, Bolsonaro's supporters have used the phrase as a satire to criticize the measures announced by the new government. According to David Nemer, a professor of media studies at the University of Virginia, the slogan is like a meme, which not only strengthens the sense of identity between groups, but also promotes communication on digital platforms.
The multiple meanings of "Faz o L"
For Lula's supporters, this sentence means praise and recognition; they think they are expressing their support and trust in Lula. Digital influencer Letícia Lourenço is one example. After her home was shot up, she posted on social media:
"I've seen some unnecessary comments saying 'do L now'. I'll continue to do L because the people who do this won't do L."
Undoubtedly, the use of this language is not only external, but also a way to strengthen each other's beliefs internally. Over time, the slogan has become a way for Lula supporters to respond to dissenting voices.
Opposition’s new strategy
However, those who oppose Lula's government have turned "Faz o L" into a weapon of satire, promoting the sharing of various false information. For example, there were photos claiming that Lula's policies led to higher gas prices, claims that were proven to be false news. The image was originally a slogan from 2015, but was re-edited to attack the performance of Lula's government. Widespread sharing on social media has allowed this false information to spread rapidly, almost becoming a political phenomenon.
"The sharing of this intelligence shows how social media can become a hotbed of misinformation, more subtly combining politics and culture."
In this situation, the two sides supporting Lula and opposing Lula launched an offensive and defensive war on social media. The weapons of this war are no longer artillery shells, but words and images.
Political leaders react differently to 'Faz o L'
Politicians' reactions to the use of this gesture vary greatly. For example, businessman João Amoêdo said after supporting Lula in 2022:
“They asked me to do L, but I will not do L. I wanted to eliminate B (Bolsonaro), and that mission is accomplished.”
This unique view shows that even among the opposing camp, the interpretation of 'Faz o L' is not absolute. In some cases, it is seen as a tool to deconstruct traditional views and even as a means of expressing a neutral position on some occasions.
Thoughts behind cultural phenomena
Such a phenomenon makes us wonder how political language affects social interactions and why certain slogans can take root in huge political waves. The prevalence of social media has created a whole new resonance with the speed at which information is transmitted. Perhaps in the near future, "Faz o L" will become part of a larger political change. But at the same time, this has also triggered people's in-depth thinking about the authenticity of information and its influence.
Amid such turmoil, as one mayor mentioned on the Gatilho Podcast, the ‘Faz o L’ is both a symbol of identity and a weapon of attack. Will this cultural phenomenon continue to exist in future political struggles? What form will it evolve into?
