Latin American Studies Short Essay on Racial Democracy
RJ
Latin American Studies
Final Project – Benchmark 3
Write a 3-page overview using the 2 sources listed. You must use Chicago Style citations within the paper and endnotes, 12 pt. font and Times New Roman, double-spaced. Use the thesis for the foundation of your writing. Bibliography is NOT required.
The Myth of Racial Democracy in Brazil
Thesis: The contributing intersections of race and class discredit (challenge) the myth of Brazilian racial democracy. Racial inequality within institutions, segregated communities between people of color and whites, and the racist system of ideas that lead to the disguised fundamental component of Brazilian nationalism perpetrate the myth of racial democracy as a narrative, rather than a social reality.
Resources
Nascimento, Paulo Cesar and Sousa, Leone. Brazil’s Myth of Racial Democracy. 1-7. Retrieved from http://actacientifica.servicioit.cl/biblioteca/gt/GT28/GT28_NascimentoP_SouzaL.pdf
The essay helps to show that the myth of racial democracy is a ressentiment-inspired, creative response to fears and anxieties of both elites and population regarding Brazil’s future. Also, it helps in explaining why the Brazilian elite adopted the myth of racial democracy as the basis of national identity. The source provides valuable information with regards to the myth of racial democracy by giving the reader an insight in transvaluation values. In addition, the essay ties into the other source by emphasizing the need to understand the ideal of “whitening” in order to justify Brazils attempt at racial democracy.
Skidmore, Thomas Elliot. Black into White: Race and Nationality in Brazilian Thought. New York: Oxford University Press, 1974.
https://contraracismos.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/skidmore-thomas-e-black-into-white-frag.pdf
Skidmore's book provides an intellectual history of Brazilian racial ideology. It discusses the way Brazilian society wished to reconcile social realities with the doctrines of scientific racism, the Brazilian ideal of "whitening" was used to justify the recruiting of European immigrants and to falsely claim that Brazil had harmoniously combined a multiracial society of Europeans, Africans, and indigenous peoples. The source is critical in identifying racial discrimination and its effects on Brazilian society. The book ties into the other source by supporting the fact that the myth of racial democracy persists in Brazil.
