When material memory and popular documentation matter: Death squad during the dictatorship, testimony of a church in Brazil's redemocratization, and coup attempts

Abstract

Objective: Stimulate reflections on the relevance of material memory and popular documentation as means to deepen a democratic culture. And, in particular, explore political and epistemological implications involving recipients and protagonists of material memory and popular documentation in the informational field.

Methods: Reference is made to foundations of information and documentation sciences, historiographical studies, and assumptions about heritage, as well as personal memories and accounts of experiences obtained through oral and documentary testimonies, crucial to understanding the dissolution of the Death Squad during the Civil-Military Dictatorship and to elucidate the protagonism of a church – Paróquia Nossa Senhora Fátima, Guarulhos-SP – in the country's democratization process. Additionally, a connection is established between these events from the second half of the 20th century and more recent coup attempts in Brazil.

Results: The role played by the church and the community, as well as democratic institutions, demonstrates their leadership in the face of authoritarian culture and actions. On one hand, the importance of traditional institutions of information, culture, and memory in meeting community demands is acknowledged; on the other hand, it is observed that informal cultural, informational, and memory environments tend to differ from the framing standards of traditional institutions, fostering greater dialogue among community members.

Conclusions: The importance of preserving and accessing memory in spaces such as popular documentation centers is highlighted. Memory sites are conducive to promoting reflections, dialogues, and mediation actions aimed at deepening democratic culture.