The word “racism” entered the dictionary michaelis only in the 20th century, but it was incorporated into Brazilian reality long before, with the arrival of more than 12 million Africans trafficked by the Portuguese between the 16th and 18th centuries – the so-called diaspora.
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From the slavery era, we inherited different forms of discrimination, but for a large part of society it is still taboo to admit that there is racism in Brazil. Today, Brazil is the country with the largest black population in the world outside the African continent – around 86 million, according to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).
You've probably heard some report of racism on TV, the internet, or even in close circles. Only at Soccer, for example, 57 reports of racial insults were registered between January and July 2022 alone, according to data from the Observatory of Racial Discrimination in Football.
Although the growth in complaints Although crimes increase the visibility of the problem, there is still a lot to change, according to UFRJ Political Science professor Fernanda Barros.
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This is because, according to the political scientist, there is an idea of “hegemony in which we have a group that dominates the other based on this idea of [superiority of a] race” sociocultural roots of the country. (State of Minas)
Racism, Discrimination and Racial Injury
- Racial discrimination is defined by the United Nations as “any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, color, descent or national or ethnic origin” that targets or may threaten the fundamental rights and freedoms of another being. The text, which is part of one of the main treaties ever signed on human rights issues, is adopted internationally just 53 years ago.
- In Brazil, the law that criminalized the practice of racism and racial slurs for the first time was approved about 30 years ago, by President José Sarney. Carlos Alberto Caó de Oliveira was the author of law nº 7.716, which became known as Lei Caó. He was a journalist, lawyer and activist in the black movement.
- Racial slur and bail: an unfocused debate (Jot)
Racism x racial insult
Examples of racist practices
structural racism
- The concept of structural racism is based on the assumption that racism structures society itself, is in its essence and passes through all its everyday relationships (political, economic, legal, family, etc.), often imperceptibly.
- In the book “Structural racism” , philosopher, teacher and lawyer Silvio de Almeia explains this concept.
Institutional Racism
- Reflection of structural racism that appears in public or private institutions in the form of actions or rules that discriminate against individuals based on their race.
- “This conception goes beyond individual behavior, but expands to institutions that, albeit indirectly, promote disadvantages and privileges based on race. It is possible to perceive the manifestation from this angle when research within public bodies and private companies shows that positions of power in institutions are generally occupied by white people, and the majority of them are men.”
Source: “Racism is Combated Everywhere” Booklet of the National Association of Public Defenders and Defenders (ANADEP)
Religious Racism
- “Religious racism has been a practice in Brazilian society since its creation. For a long time it was supported by national legislation that criminalized religious practices that were not part of the hegemonic religion: Christianity. African and Afro-indigenous religions have always been a preferential target of religious racism, given their essential characteristics include elements of black and indigenous origin.
To this end, insults and slander were used against forms of religious manifestation, as well as their practitioners, to spread a demonized view about such experiences. Over the years, (…) racism stopped being a legal practice and began to occupy the status of a non-bailable and imprescriptible crime. However, this change did not change the violence to which black people are subjected as a result of racism.”
Ciani Sueli das Neves “The Necessary Crossing” – Public Ministry of São Paulo (MPSP)
Recreational Racism
- It is the use of humor and supposed jokes to reproduce racist speeches.
- White people use 'humor' and 'black friends' to perpetuate discrimination, says author of 'Recreational Racism' (with the BBC)
Environmental Racism
- Term coined in 1981 by Dr. Benjamin Franklin Chavis Jr, black civil rights leader. In his youth, he was an assistant to Martin Luther King Jr. And he formalized the term based on his investigations and research into the relationship between toxic waste and the black American population. Read more at Geledés.
- “It is a more recent concept and refers to the greater vulnerability of certain ethnic-racial groups that suffer the impacts of environmental damage. Examples of this manifestation are: the deterritorialization of indigenous, quilombola and traditional communities, due to large works/enterprises; exposure of these minorities to unhealthy areas, such as landfills and toxic and hazardous waste installation sectors, among other practices.”
Source: “Racism is Combated Everywhere” Booklet of the National Association of Public Defenders and Defenders (ANADEP)
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Glossary of Racial Inequality
According to experts, it is also important to face the lack of knowledge and confusion about terms and concepts that explain the “faces” of racism: prejudice, discrimination, racial insults are some examples. Or its different manifestations, such as religious, environmental, institutional racism.
Racism in language
- Racist words are still part of Brazilians' daily lives (Meeting with Fátima Bernardes)
- Black November: learn about some racist expressions and their meanings (SEDH-ES)
Curto Curatorship
- 4 Brazilian black media outlets that provide anti-racist journalism with a racial perspective (Latam Journalism Review)
- What are the ways to combat discrimination? Experts respond (UOL)
- Cases of religious violence increase in the country and believers suffer intimidation (Correio Braziliense)
- African-based religions: what they are and why they suffer prejudice (Politicize)
- Religious intolerance: understand the term (Politicize)
- Woman reports racial insult in shopping mall and hears: 'I'm really racist (UOL)
Curto Explain: everything you need to know and are embarrassed to ask!😉
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