Brazilian women denounce racism at an event in the US: “Do you have lice in your braids?”

To UOL, Naira said there was a lack of color in the co-chairmanship of the Brazil conference.. When I'm afraid to say the word “racism”, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ and that is the portrait of Brazil, that is what we are here to discuss, that people are afraid to speak, to show what a crime it really is. We understand the whole system, it takes time to happen here, but we also have to voice in this space, which is very painful because we come from a very harsh reality. An anti-racist society is not what we have seen here today. Now we need to focus on a solution to leave this here in the practice of anti-racism. Also Barbaras Carin, Carlas Agotran (researcher Feminism Black) are lecturing in this context so that these mostly white people understand what racism really is and how to fight it.”

After the event, Dayan Pettin, a visiting researcher at MIT, took the stage and said that a black man should have closed the event. “This conference is a portrait of Brazil, and Brazil is the most racist country in the world.” What happened, he said, was a reflection of the lack of representation in the organization and the lack of equality on the panels.

“[O racismo] It is not only obvious. I think what this case has to do with it is that there are other subtle things that have happened that reveal the racism that is buried in our society. These people who came here, most of them black, representing social movements and social businesses, were not invited to party with the speakers. They are not on the first day of the schedule. How do we really value black and indigenous culture? We provide a real space for the heroine.”

Hopes to see more reaction after the case and expects real concrete steps from the event organisers. “These situations are traumatic, they are triggers for our people, but I think we have to see that they are an opportunity for change. We have to listen, and the solutions are here. I think the system is now there. To take this incident as an inspiration and make this event a true representative of Brazil.” A great opportunity. If we have 10 years of underrepresentation, next year we will have a 100% black and indigenous event.”

We need equity space. We deserve a seat at the table so our stories and narratives can be valued. I hope this speech and this incident will resonate. We would like to see concrete steps to change the program at the next conference. Black people can't just be the subject of study. They are also subjects, they can mediate, they can be vice presidents of proceedings, they can be president of conferences. They may be talking about things unrelated to the favela. Favela is power, and it's great that Favela was here at this event. That's good, because favelas are Brazil, but Brazil isn't just favelas.

In a statement, it said the event “recognizes and reiterates its commitment against racism in all its forms”. “We strongly reject any act of racial discrimination and do not condone such behavior at our events. It is important to highlight that the Brazil Conference is committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse environment where all voices are respected and valued. We are taking steps to address the racist incident that occurred during the event and what happened.” .