Racism in Brazil

The Racism symbolizes any thought or attitude that segregates the human races by considering them hierarchically as superior and inferior.

In Brazil, it is the result of the colonial and slavery era established by the Portuguese colonizers.

History of Racism in Brazil:Summary

The most striking feature of Brazilian racism is its unofficial character.

If the law gave legal freedom to slaves, they were never really integrated into the economy and, without state assistance, many blacks fell into difficulties after freedom.

Thus, since the "Proclamation of the Republic" (1889), there is no legal reference to any racial distinction.

Another attribute hiding racism in Brazil was the ideology of whitening , supported by the government and by scientific currents, such as the current of racial Darwinism and hygienism . Thus, this ideology facilitated the entry of European and Arab immigrants into Brazilian lands.

The mestizaje , seen as the "whitening " of the population, created deep roots in Brazilian society at the beginning of the 20th century.

Thus, blacks were abandoning their African culture, replaced by white values, which makes the victims of racism their own executioner.

In practice, many blacks preferred to marry lighter-skinned partners, as their children would be less likely to suffer from racism. However, despite decades of economic growth, social disparities remain.

In order to combat racism and also in recognition of its existence, the law was created in 1951 that made it a criminal offense to refuse to host, serve, attend or receive clients, buyers or students due to racial or color prejudice, the "Law Afonso Arinos ".

Later, with the Federal Constitution of 1988 , Law nº 7716, of January 5, 1989, made racism a non-bailable crime .

The "Social Apartheid" in Brazil

The implications of racism in Brazil , as a structure of political, cultural and social domination, does not only refer to socioeconomic segregation of that population. They imply, in fact, in ethnocide and genocide of the black and indigenous population from the beginnings of Portuguese colonization to the present day.

The "social apartheid " it manifests itself, therefore, in the social discrimination that has an implicit racial dimension, where the majority of the deprived are black or mestizos.

To learn more:

• Apartheid
• Racism
• Xenophobia
• Prejudice

Some Statistical Data on Racism in Brazil

According to the IPEA (Institute of Applied Economic Research), in Brazil, prejudice is always attributed to the “other”.

Thus, 63.7% of Brazilians understand that race determines the quality of life of citizens, especially at work (71%), in legal matters (68.3%) and in social relationships (65%).

Furthermore, 93% of respondents admitted racial prejudice in Brazil, but 87% of them said they never felt discriminated against; 89% of them say there is color prejudice against blacks in Brazil, but only 10% admitted having it. Finally, 70% of Brazilians living in extreme poverty are black or mixed race.

Read more:

• Black Consciousness
• Racial Quotas
• Miscegenation
• Poems to reflect on Black Consciousness
• Casa-Grande and Senzala