Note from BW of Brazil: So what else is new? The funny thing here is that some people are still surprised when these types of things happen. As numerous posts on this blog can attest, Brazil is anti-African in terms of its history, its treatment of its descendants, the physical features of these descendants (particularly their hair) and recent immigrants. Even in a state such as Bahia which is hailed as the African center of the country due its large population of African descent and the undeniable cultural ties. But when whiteness is and has always been the standard promoted among the population, should we really expect anything different?
Actor Alan Miranda will start a campaign on social networks with his daughter against prejudice
The actor’s daughter, Eloá Miranda, 10, was a victim of a racial slur at school where she studies on Wednesday (4)
By Diogo Costa
After denouncing the case of injúria racial (racial injury/slur) suffered by his 10 year old daughter at school on social networks, comedian Alan Miranda will create a campaign on social networks to discuss the issue. Christened the “Leãozinho na Escola” (Cub in the School) initiative, according to the actor, it will have the objective of encouraging other parents to post pictures of their children who also have cabelos crespos (curly/kinky hair) using a hashtag with the name of the campaign.
“We understand that this is a difficult time, but it is also a time for us to show representation. We received the support of many people in social networks. We have perceived how this event mobilized people. The approach against prejudice has been positive. We will do some photos with Eloá (Miranda) to start the campaign,” he said.
On Wednesday (4) during recreation in the private school where she studies, Eloá Miranda, the comedian’s daughter, was asked by one of her classmates if she didn’t use shampoo in her hair. Eloá has cabelos crespos and, according to Miranda, is the only one who wears a black power in school.
“When I went to pick her up at school, she was sitting in the corner crying. I asked what happened, but she wouldn’t talk. When we got home, she told her mother and then the two talked to me,” said the actor.
Debate
Also according to Miranda, the school positioned itself on the case positively.
“We understand that what happened was something isolated, away from the teachers. We are also aware that the child who said it only reproduced a discourse that is of the society itself. People are still very intolerant. The school told us that it will enhance discussions on this issue with the students,” he said.
After reporting the case, the titular of the Secretaria Municipal de Reparação Social (Municipal Secretary of Social Reparation), secretary Ivete Sacramento, scheduled a meeting with the comedian on Friday to talk about the case. The meeting, however, was rescheduled at the actor’s request to next Wednesday, at 2pm.
In addition to the campaign on social networks, Eloá and her father plan a channel on YouTube where the girl will be the protagonist. “She asked to have a channel where she will deal with these issues. Initially, I had thought about something showing her relationship with her parents, but I think it’s important that a child who has cabelo crespo shows her relationship with the world,” concluded the artist.
Translation of Alan Miranda’s post:
“Today, my daughter came home from school crying. A classmate asked if she uses shampoo in her hair, pejoratively. It’s not the first time. The struggle is great, in this Roma negra (black Rome), where 81% of people have hair like hers, but are still derided for being what they are. And among themselves. A crisis of secular representation that affects the recreational time of my daughter so many other children. Can anyone tell me what’s wrong with this mixture, what’s ugly about this hair? Tomorrow we will formalize a complaint at the school of this event – which was repeated for the third time. I’m posting at her request, to tell the world that, yes, o cabelo dela é duro (her hair is hard, yes)! She’s beautiful, yes! and that we do need to talk to our white, black and mestiço (mixed race) children, we are different, that’s what makes us Brazilians, and we have the same rights on the sun. And let us see and represent ourselves, if not on TV, at least in social networks, to avoid, increasingly being seen only as the only non-model, as the subaltern, as the ugly.”
Source: Correio 24 Horas
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