Abstract: Stigmatising social representations are driving forces used to justify oppressive practices and to maintain unbalanced structures of power. The symbolic annihilation of marginalised groups are used to justify policies and practices that address market needs while reinforcing inequalities and social injustice. In this presentation I want to explore how a ‘pedagogy of monstrosity’ function in the urban environment and what can be considered to promote a culture of co-existence in the city. I will use the empirical example of Rio de Janeiro where social tensions involve the militarization of urban security and the criminalisation of the poor.