Kim Poulsen

Chapter 4 Brazil

1. What are some of the similarities concerning the condition of Blacks in Brazil and Blacks in
the United States of America? (note at least 3)

Black people in both the U.S.A and Brazil are mostly in impoverished communities. The article
from the economist explained that only 7% of the richer communities in Rio de Janeiro were
blacks. Higher positions in government were another place where the studies found a large
difference of races.

There is a racial discrimination in crime between whites and blacks. The article by Vanessa
Barbara starts out by explaining a story of young boys being gunned down by police in
Palmeirinha. Similar stories cover the news headlines of the U.S today.

Slavery was the main reason that started racism in both countries. Brazil was the last country in
the Americas to abolish slavery. The southern states have a racial divide that stems back to the
days of slavery in the United States as well.

2. What are some of the differences between Brazil and U.S.A in terms of race relations? (note
at least 3)

America tries to promote black equality better than Brazil. The economist uses the election of
President Barack Obama as proof of this. There are many more black elected officials in the
U.S.A than in Brazil.

Police do not shoot blacks for sport in the U.S.A as the article by Vanessa Barbara started by
saying is more common in Brazil than it should be. Without the video evidence that case could
have been much different.

The U.S.A more laws related to affirmative action than Brazil. Brazil has many
antidiscrimination laws but none go quite as far as affirmative action to help raise minorities to a
more equal level in the job market or college education.

3. Antonio Riserio, a sociologist from Bahia, contends: “It's clear that racism exists in the US.
It's clear that racism exists in Brazil. But they are different kinds of racism.” In Brazil, he argues,
racism is veiled and shamefaced, not open or institutional. What is he referring to? Do you agree
with his statement? Are the impacts of racism the same whether it is overt or covert?

In Brazil there has never existed major discriminatory groups like the Ku Klux Klan or laws that
openly discriminate against black people. Yes I agree with his statement. Racism to some extent
is everywhere. Whether overt or covert racism is still the same. Either way racism is not good
and eventually is seen as the ugly discrimination that it is as well as show the problems that it
causes.
 4. How are programs like affirmative action received in Brazil? Is it similar to how affirmative
action is received in the U.S.? Explain.

Brazil is far less receptive to programs of affirmative action than the U.S. The reason that Brazil
does not accept affirmative action laws is because they will make more of a racial divide in order
to implement the workings of the program. This is different than how this is received in the U.S.
Affirmative action is seen as a way to help more than as a divider like Brazil says it would
become.

5. Has reading about the situation in Brazil given you a new perspective on racial attitudes in the
United States? Explain.

I feel after reading this article the U.S.A. could be much worse off than we are with racial
discrimination. I feel like the United States has come a long way since the Ku Klux Klan. This is
evident when looking at American leadership and business owners. We have a fairly equal mix of
high ranking officials in the U.S. that are black as compared to the small handful under Dilma in
Brazil.