May 13 marks 135 years since the abolition of slavery in Brazil.
The event, for historian and anthropologist Lilia Schwarcz, should not be seen “in a celebratory way, but rather with criticism.”
In an interview with CNN Radio on CNN Plural, she stated that Brazil has a palatial view of abolition, which is “a misguided idea.”
She highlighted that the end of slavery came by “social demand”, not by decision only of Princess Isabel: “May 13th cannot be celebrated in a palatial way.”
The historian reinforces that abolition in the country was conservative, as it “did not foresee the inclusion of these people in society.”
“135 years is little, but on the other hand it is a lot for us to do almost nothing”, he added.
Lilia recalls that “the racial issue entered the agenda of white populations very recently and, unfortunately, many people didn’t even want to know and the topic was silenced.”
She argues that “we need to tell this story, and not in an erased way, placing enslaved people passively awaiting the decision of the monarchy.”
“Brazil was silent on the subject for a long time”, he reinforced.
According to the anthropologist, “we are talking about ‘minorized’ majorities in representation, in school, politics, health, academia, it is very important that the white population acts as an anti-racist ally.”
Lima Barreto
Lilia Schwarcz is the author of the book “Lima Barreto – Triste Visionário” and classifies him as “a fundamental author” in Brazil.
He was born seven years before abolition and was “the first author to write black literature.”
“He was a journalist, columnist, novelist, a complete author who denounced, at the beginning of the 20th century, the ills of our Republic and the issue of racism”, he said.
The writer stated that it portrayed black characters, with situations that had to do with the black population and, in this way, “it was never so current.”
“At the time, however, he was erased and unknown, as is done with black artists”, he added.
*Produced by Isabel Campos
Source: CNN Brasil
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