Brazil’s demographic makeup has been diverse since colonial times, with indigenous populations, enslaved Africans, and European settlers forming the foundation of the country’s ethnic composition. However, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a concerted effort to “whiten” the population emerged, driven by various social, political, and economic factors.
The concept of “branqueamento,” or whitening, became a central aspect of Brazilian national policy following the abolition of slavery in 1888. “Whitening” aimed to gradually increase the proportion of white Brazilians through European immigration, interracial marriages, and the promotion of European cultural values.
Brazil’s So-Called “Racial Democracy”
Brazil has a long and painful history of slavery that impacted its racial composition. In 1888, the country became the last in the Western Hemisphere to abolish slavery. During the more than 300 years of slavery in the Americas, Brazil was the largest importer of enslaved Africans. According to a UN publication by Edward Telles, Brazil brought in seven times as many as the United States. This massive influx of enslaved Africans resulted in a predominantly Black and mixed-race population by the time of abolition.
From the 1930s until recent years, Brazil promoted the idea of being a “racial democracy.” This concept suggested that racism and racial discrimination were minimal or non-existent in Brazilian society, especially when compared to other multiracial societies like the United States or South Africa. The absence of explicit race-based laws or policies, such as segregation or apartheid, throughout the 20th century reinforced this belief.
However, this ideology masked underlying racial inequalities and discrimination that persisted in Brazilian society. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Brazilian officials actively encouraged European immigration while restricting Chinese and African immigrants. This policy was rooted in the scientific racism of the time, which viewed a non-white population as problematic for the country’s future development.
The influx of European immigrants was expected to serve two purposes. First, it was to provide a new source of labor following the abolition of slavery. Secondly, these Europeans were to “whiten” the Brazilian population by mixing with the existing non-white population.
How “Whitening” Led To The Marginalization Of Afro-Brazilian Identities
“Whitening” had profound implications for Afro-Brazilian communities. It encouraged a disidentification with Blackness as individuals sought to gain some of the privileges associated with whiteness. This led to a complex racial classification system based on appearance rather than ancestry. With this method, many people classified as white may have African or Indigenous ancestry.
Many parts of Brazilian society have felt the effects of this philosophy, but economic inequality stands out. As perComparative Migration Studies, on average, Black and Brown Brazilians earn half the income of the white population. And despite Brazil’s diverse racial makeup, the country’s media portrayal remains predominantly white, especially in television and advertising. Foreign Policy also reports that compared to whites from the same socioeconomic background, Black and Brown Brazilians have a much lower chance of experiencing upward mobility.
Efforts To Address Racial Inequalities
In recent years, Brazil has begun to confront its history of racial discrimination and inequality. Since 2001, several universities and public institutions have implemented racial quotas to increase non-white representation. There’s also a growing shift towards non-whiteness and an embrace of Black identities, challenging the historical trend of “whitening.” Additionally, the end of the “racial democracy” myth has sparked a national debate about race and racism. This development has led to more serious policy attempts to reduce racial inequality.
