Racism in Brazilian Schools
francis December 26th, 2006
By Francis Wardle
I am visiting a public school in one of the many suburbs that circumscribe the federal city of Brasilia. In Brazil the wealthy and middle-class live in town (or, as in Brasilia, in satellite towns), the poor live in the suburbs. Thus, this is a poor elementary school. The principal greets me enthusiastically, and I watch the children’s morning exercises and singing – lead by the teachers. The school serves 5, 6 and 7 year-old children. After the initial activity, all the children gather in a large area with one side totally open to the elements – and to people from the community who gather to enjoy the upcoming presentation. On the stage there is a set of a castle; to its left is a woman with a guitar. After one of the 4 actors gives a short introductory speech, the action begins.
The play is a collection of vignettes taken from a variety of popular fairy tales, including Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and many others. Between each scene the women plays her guitar and sings a beautiful song. Many of the teachers join in the chorus; apparently it’s a well known song. Large puppets that are attached to the actor’s bodies and feet provide the action. There are also a few props, including a ship (for the pirate), a beautiful, blue butterfly, and some cute green bugs. The presentation is very well done, and captivates the children, even though it is quite long by American standards.
While I watch the action on the set, I am really more interested in watching the children. They are a rich combination of browns – brown skin and brown hair. The girls have their hair arranged in a variety of styles: tight braids held with colorful barrettes, curly hair loosely framing their faces, and two simply braids. All the children have big, brown eyes, and enthusiastic, open faces.
The plot is the old standby of a beautiful princess looking for a husband. She is visited by a variety of suitors, including a black prince who is quite ugly and engages in very stereotypical behavior - dancing and being silly. Finally the princess chooses a pirate to marry, so that she can travel around the world.
While the presentation is extremely well done, and the children and teachers (and community members) really enjoy it, I am shocked by the racism. The princess is a beautiful white woman with long, blond hair, and big, sad blue eyes. She ends up marrying a white pirate with blue eyes.
As we continue to tour the school I notice the four actors sitting together on a bench. Since I am doing research on Brazilian schools and race in Brazil, I muster the courage to ask my translator if he would pose a question to the actors for me. He asks my question:
“All of the little girls watching the play have beautiful brown skin, brown hair and brown eyes. Why did you make the princess a blue-eyed blond? Why did you tell each of these young girls that they couldn’t be a princess?” (I could have added, “and why did you tell each of the boys they could not be a successful suitor?”)
They gave me several answers:
1) In the four years we have given this presentation, you are the first person to ask this question.
2) We tried to change the traditional fairly tales. This is why we included a Negro (black) prince, and why the princess selected a pirate, so she could travel and see the world.
3) This princess is the symbol of female beauty in Brazil.
According to Gilmar, my translator, they were quite upset with my question. I was quite perturbed and appalled by their answers.