Between Brown and Black: Anti-Racist Activism in Brazil

The Brazilian black movement is working to bring attention to and change the situation of structural racism in Brazil. Black consciousness advocates are challenging Afro-Brazilians to define themselves and politically organize around being black, and other segments are working to influence legislation and implement formal mechanisms that promote racial equality. Afro-Brazilians are presented with a whole range of identity choices, from how to classify oneself to whether one votes for political candidates based on shared racial experiences.

Format: Hardback
Length: 190 pages
Publication date: 30 July 2022
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

The Brazilian black movement is gaining new momentum in its efforts to bring attention to and address the issue of structural racism in the country. Black consciousness advocates are urging Afro-Brazilians to define themselves and politically organize around their black identity, and more and more Afro-Brazilians are responding to this call.

In addition to this, other segments of the Brazilian black movement are actively working to influence legislation and implement formal mechanisms that promote racial equality. One such initiative is the Affirmative Action Racial Verification Committees, which aim to ensure that individuals who are phenotypically black are more likely to be targeted by racism and thus qualify for Affirmative Action programs. However, it is important to note that this approach has led to a paradoxical situation where individuals are told to identify as black, but only some are considered black enough to benefit from these policies.

Afro-Brazilians are presented with a wide range of identity choices, from how they classify themselves to whether they vote for political candidates based on shared racial experiences. These choices are complex and multifaceted, reflecting the diverse and complex nature of the black community in Brazil.

In his book, Between Brown and Black, author Eduardo Bonilla-Silva argues that Afro-Brazilian activists' exploration of blackness confronts anti-blackness while also complicating understandings of what it means to be black. Through a blend of linguistic and ethnographic accounts, this book raises profound questions about current black struggles in Brazil and beyond, including the political initiatives of the black movement and their antiracist agenda.

Overall, the Brazilian black movement is making significant strides in its efforts to promote racial equality and address the legacy of structural racism in the country. While there are still challenges and complexities to be overcome, the movement's commitment to social justice and equality is unwavering.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978808539