Yesterday I wrote about two articles, one on Racewire, and another on Racialicious; both discussed race and racism in Brazil. I added my own thoughts in this post: Is There Apartheid in Brazil? Racial Identity and Racism From a Brazilian Point of View.

I was musing about the "apartheid in Brazil" idea. I failed to make clear that Wendy (who wrote the post I quoted) didn't say there is apartheid over there. In fact, she says there isn't; her post was about the American idea of race identity and what she calls (very properly, in my opinion) Identity Imperialism.

I got passionate about what I was writing and let things get out a bit confusing. That's why I'm writing this post; to clarify things - specially that Malena was the one who stated there's apartheid in Brazil. I strongly recommend you to read both articles; they are very interesting and will sure enlarge your point of view about race and racism.

Wendy is very nice and left me a couple of comments, which I want to share with you:

I really hope you went on to read the rest of the article, especially considering that I refute the claim that apartheid (as it is a formal term of institutionalized racial separatism) exists in Brazil. Having studied the culture and been there several times (and I identify as a black woman and did not experience any sense of being separated physically or psychologically from the people with whom I interacted), I was able to engage in the discussion with my friend regarding Brazil to present my experiences as a possible alternative to the view she had initially presented (which, mind you, was in response to an article she had read that presented Brazil as a racial utopia).

So having said that, I hope your readers here do not get the wrong impression of the article, especially considering that I am one who supports holding an open minded view of race both here and in other countries, as opposed to attempting to force people to align themselves with the historically racist racial groupings within the United States as we know them today.

BUT (lol sorry for so many comments), in defense of Malena, I think it's very easy to be biased toward or against certain aspects of a culture when the representation of said culture is poorly or mis-represented here. Most race theorists here talk about Brazil's case of race relations via distinct poles: Brazil is perfect or Brazil is racist, with blacks exhibiting self-hatred for all things black...again, attempting to place America's racial baggage on Brazil, and unfairly so. It's hard for us to step outside the box, especially if we are conditioned to working for the rights, empowerment, and self-pride of people of non-white minorities. Sometimes, the case of Brazil offers a unique challenge because there are so many various communities within that we can't see how they can make any progress (based on race) as they are so fragmented in name alone.

I don't necessarily agree with this, but I think it's a prevalent line of thought in the United States, especially for those discussing Brazil via an external lens...external here meaning non-Portuguese-speaking, never visited, and with little knowledge of Brazil's history...and how it's race situation came about to begin with (which can certainly be somewhat attributed to the US's limited attempt to educate it's population about other cultures and nations).

I did read the entire article - both of them. :)

Maybe I wrote things as if I were criticizing Malena, but I'm not. I disagree with her point of view, but I respect it and her right to express it. I know it's difficult to really understand a culture when you're not a part of it; I have the same difficulties trying to understand the "American way", because I've never lived in the US. But I think it's nice that we are looking at each other, trying to learn and understand, despite the "lost in translation" issues and obstacles.

Are we going to make mistakes, wrong interpretations, say stupid things? Sure! As long as we maintain an open mind and respect each other, as long as we are willing to discuss and talk to each other, that's fine. Nobody is perfect.

Funny thing is that in Brazil, the name you use to define your race is not that important - another difference from the US. As I see it, there aren't "so many various communities within". There are mostly "people". Maybe that's just another form of racism (I haven't really analyzed that), but it's not like you have (for example) a "mulato" (mix of White and Black race) community or group. I think those are more like sub-groups within the major races (Black, White, etc), when you're talking about racial issues. Whether a person will fall under Black or White race, it depends on the proportion (the skin color and heritage) she or he has of each race. But this is just how I see it right now; it's possible (not sure) I would have a different view about this if I took a more in-depth look. It's complicated, isn't it?

About "race theorists", well, they are wrong. Brazil is not perfect, and it's not hell either. It's just a country trying to find it's way to a better future, as any other country. Brazil could learn a thing or two from the US about civil rights and such; and it could also teach the US a thing or two about miscegenation and living peacefully with those who are different form us. I could go on with this, but bottom line is: we all have things to learn and things to teach. We just need to be willing to do so.

Thanks, Wendy, for everything. Gracias, obrigada! :)