Racism In Brazil

The Brazilian have a class system, where discrimination of skin color occurs daily. Those with darker skin are typically disadvantaged. Class is also determined by economic status. Those in the middle and upper classes often have little to no contact with the lower classes. The richest 10% of Brazilians have access to over 40% of

Brazil’s racial history has led to the formation of a society in which darker-skinned individuals face

Focusing so much on an individual’s race usually doesn’t help people come together. In an ebook titled “Legacies of Race: Identities, Attitudes, and Politics in Brazil” on EBSCOhost, Stanely R. Bailey say “In the promonoracial argument, external labeling is considered a major influence in racial or ethnic group identification. In the historic absence of strong racial subjectivity defined along dichotomous

The majority of the population in Brazil is predominantly Pretos and Pardos; there are very few “white” Brazilians in Brazil. Pretos are people who a very dark skinned, “black”. Pardos are considered as people who are a little bit lighter, “brown”. Though there are few “whites” in Brazil, “white” Brazilians still feel they are superior and still have a control over Brazil.

The modernize approach of religion and traditions of the old African culture now converted into an Afro-Brazilian culture that still has an impact and exists today which is also still celebrated in Brazil. I believe that without slavery, many of the importance of both sides of society selling slaves and buying slaves would not have shaped humanity in the modern world. “Two centuries had seen African and European cultural religious and linguistic habits merging into unique Afro-Brazilian social and religious customs, music, and storytelling (Nellis 62).” The cultural influence of Afro-Brazilians has persistently grew from celebrations like carnaval into a mainstream popular culture. Brazil holds a variety of different ideas, culture and people. These ideas and traditions include musical interests, dancing, different food dishes, literature and art, festivities, and religious practices.

Brazil is one of the most visited place in the world and also one of the most diverse countries in the world. More than 75millon people of African decent live in Brazil, this makes it the second largest black population in the world. Its attracts a large number of people because of it architecture, slums and rainforest. Brazil is contradictory because its was the last country to abolish slavery but also the first to claim that it was a racial democracy. Most people might not know that Brazil has its racial problems and that it has been going on for a long time. Brazilian race relations and conceptions of race are somewhat different from the United States. In Brazil most African descendents are people live in

Consequently, the level of racism in Brazil, has allowed no opportunity for Afro-Brazilians to compete in a political election fairly. This has led to under representation for millions of Afro-Brazilians who are dying due to the lack of empathy provided by those who have the political power to make noteworthy changes. The reason why many Afro-Brazilian did not have representation in government is due to the fact they were not given opportunities to deal with public policies like other career politicians. Ordinary workers, men, and women were not allowed to be candidates for elections. Furthermore, social movements involving the poor from the impoverished communities only seemed to be successful at the grass roots level, but does not seem to receive any empathy from the government (De Silva, 180). Consequently, even if Afro-Brazilians hold high authoritative positions within the government often become excluded from the black community due to their authoritative position, and can feel

. Before the first Africans arrived in British North America in 1619, more than half a million African captives had already been transported and enslaved in Brazil. By the end of the nineteenth century, that number had risen to more than 4 million. Northern European powers soon followed Portugal and Spain into the transatlantic slave trade. The majority of African captives were carried by the Portuguese, Brazilians, the British, French, and Dutch. British slave traders alone transported 3.5 million Africans to the Americas.

In one way or another everyone encounters racism at many times in their life. Whether they are making the comments or victims of it, racism is everywhere and continues to be denied throughout the world. Neil Bissoondath, a Trinidad native, writes "I'm Not Racist But…" which discusses the types of labels given to different ethnic groups and the encouragement of racism they give. Based on the effective way it was written, Bissoondath's essay is suggested for an English 101 text.

Race in Brazil and United States is similar. As in the United States, in Brazil there are different shades of black. Shades range from a light brown to dark brown. Though the shades of black are the same in both countries, there is one major difference. In the United States if you possess any percentage of African blood you are considered as black, but in Brazil it depends on the color of your skin. In class we were shown twin brothers that applied to attend a public university in Brazil. One of the brothers was accepted, but other was denied because the person reviewing their application deemed the first brother as black and the other brother as white. If this situation occurred in the United States both brothers would be classified as black

Over the past several decades there has been an increase, in Brazil, of people whom self-identify as being black or Afro-Brazilian. What sparked the rise in these identities in Brazil? Was it possible material and intellectual gains or, sparked from activism, or from other possible factors. The black movement and affirmation of “black” identity came about much later in Brazil than in other countries such as the United States. In my opinion the most important factors for the rise in these identities are the material gains from the Quilombo Clause, the effects of affirmative action and quotas, as well as social activism.

Afro-Paradise: Blackness, Violence, and Performance in Brazil by Christen A. Smith juxtaposes the images of Brazil’s black populations shown in the media with the ugly reality that they actually face in their everyday lives. From an outside perspective Brazil, especially Rio de Janeiro, is known as this tropical paradise with their beautiful beaches, beautiful people, and of course Carnaval do Brasil. When you Google images of the Carnaval you will see images of colorful floats, and beautiful women with “perfect bodies” wearing outfits that look like solely mardi gras beads to cover their its and bits. “Brazil, a republic that once declared itself free of racism, is now faced with the reality that racism does exist” (5). Brazil is known as a country with such a diverse and rich culture that everyone from other races live together in harmony. The representation of black bodies within Brazil can be seen with by the performers dancing on floats and with bodies being shot on the cement. Afro-paradise is a paradox. The oppressive economy uses its identity as an exotic, black “jovial playland” for tourists to come and experience the black culture and black people. Glorifying the black culture of Bahia reinforces Brazil’s racially

In the 21st century, Afro-Brazilian was an expression that a few Brazilians used to specify Brazilians with African Heritage background. Brazilians with different

After the failure to keep Afro-Brazilians subjugated through immigration policies, the white elites’ utilized their power over RSAs to further instill “racial democracy” in order to blind Brazilians the persevering existence of the racial hierarchy. To further whiten the Brazilian population, the 1940s census erased its race question in favor for a more “Brazilian race” to convey a false sense of non-conflicted racial intermingling and racial democracy. In reality, it served as a “barometer for how Negroes and Indians are continuing to disappear… and that Brazil is taking from old Europe – citadel of the white races” (Hernández 68). Realizing the danger of the state’s decision,

Much like the U.S., Brazilian culture is extremely diverse. Brazil’s current population of 190 million represents various nationalities from European to African (Country Facts). Brazil has an extremely diverse culture with some common pervasive threads that grouped together give Brazil a national identity.