A kaleidoscope of words and senses to (re)think the problem of Chagas

Abstract

In this chapter, we share reflections from the link between art and the Chagas problem,focusing on the analysis of 45 literary productions elaborated by 216 diverse participants indifferent workshops and courses developed from 2012 to 2018 in Argentina and Brazil. Theworkshops aimed to promote the reflexive approach to the problem of Chagas while avoidingpre-conceptions and stigmas. We analyzed the literary material produced with two mainobjectives: (1) to identify the conceptual dimensions from which the productions had beenwritten, and (2) to characterize the characters and their roles depicted in the texts. We chose aqualitative methodological approach, applying systemic networks, word clouds, and contentanalysis. The Chagas problem complexity and the necessity of addressing it through all of itsmultidimensionality were deeply discussed across all the content of the workshops. Particularemphasis was put in Socio-cultural and Political dimensions?in which was pointed out thecommunity and citizen responsibility that each of we have. However, in the literary productions,these both dimensions have remained in a symbolic background behind the hegemonicBiomedical and Epidemiological dimensions. With respect to the characters in the texts, wefound that active (decision-making) roles were mainly assigned to professionals traditionallyrecognized as ?authorities in the field.? Facing the conflicts of the texts, the strategies proposedby those active characters were mostly positive but individual actions, centered on providingbiomedical information to passive recipients. In contrast, passive characters were represented asordinary people, without ?valuable knowledge about Chagas.? Literary art is a powerful tool torecognize, through the ?Epistemologies of the South? framework, the symbolic weight of rootedstereotypical hegemonic conceptions and invites us to create and promote actions to address theChagas complexity from innovative and dialogic approaches.