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"Racial Democracy" eludes Brazilians As New Century Dawns But, Movement for Black Identity Grows Here are some observations about the current social situation in that South American "racial democracy" from a correspondent, Kathleen Bond, Maryknoll Mission Association of the Faithful. Every day millions of Afro-Brazilians experience racism. From the family living room, where darker skinned children are often discriminated against, to Church pews, barbershops, classrooms, and the Halls of Congress, racism gnaws at the fabric of Brazilian society. The South American giant is often considered by foreigners and Brazilians as a "racial democracy" because of the high number of interracial marriages and seemingly easy banter between the races in every day life.
Cultural melange According to a 1992 study by Carlos Hasenbalg and Nelson do Valle Silva, Brazilian nonwhites are three times more likely than whites to be illiterate. The numbers deteriorate in the high echelons of academic study. Whites are FIVE times more likely than people of mixed ancestry and NINE times more likely than Blacks to obtain university degrees. This pattern repeats itself in the work force where according to government statistics whites have access to the highest-paying jobs, earning up to 75% more than blacks and 50% more than people of mixed ancestry. Brazil's prisons and youth detention centers are bursting at the seams. The vast majority of detainees and victims of police brutality are non-white Brazilians. Not surprisingly, health statistics paint a similar picture. For example, non-white Brazilian infants are almost twice as likely to die as their white counterparts.
Anti-racism fight According to anthropologist John Burdick, the movement exploded in the 1970s, when a whole generation of non-white students was caught in the contradiction between the promise of upward mobility and the reality of labor and educational barriers. Blacks on the world scene, including revolutionaries in the former Portuguese colonies of Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, and Angola and militants in the North American black power movement offered encouraging symbols of power and self-confidence for the fledgling Afro-Brazilian movement. Over the past 25 years, the Black movement in Brazil has developed various facets. Some groups exclusively dedicate their energy to judicial and legislative arenas, such as the enforcement of the 1989 Cao law that makes racism a crime. Other organizations focus on cultural programs. The most famous example is the internationally acclaimed percussion band, Olodum. The Black Movement here in the state of Paraiba is one example of this diversity. Participating organizations include: Caiana dos Crioulos, a black community of descendants of runaway slaves; Banda Yle Odara and other musical, martial arts and dance groups; Afro-Brazilian religious groups, including Candomble and Umbanda centers; women's reflection groups; coalition and organizing entities including the Agentes de Pastoral Negro; and education groups that focus on literacy programs, training and school curriculum development. During the annual, statewide Black Movement Conference in September 1999, more than 100 activists from these groups gathered for three days in the capital city. With Brazil approaching in April 2000 the anniversary of the Portuguese colonization theme was "500 Years of Black Resistance." For the full article
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