'Undeclared' racism still part of academia, says professor

Francis Kokutse 12 September 2024

Though Brazil continues to provide scholarships for African students to study in that country, as part of their diplomatic initiatives, academics from the Afro-Brazilian community live with subtle societal racism that is not spoken about, Kabengele Munanga, a professor of anthropology at the University of São Paulo, has told University World News.

Munanga participated in interviews on the sidelines of the Regional Pre-Congress of the Diaspora that was held in Salvador, Brazil, from 29-31 August, a prelude to the Pan-African Congress to be held in Lomé, Togo, later in 2024.

A respected academic, Munanga was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and after spending 50 years in Brazil, is seen as a pioneer who helped to open up academia to black academics in the country. Several Brazilian academics were also interviewed about their views on racism and inclusion.

According to Munanga, the world does not always realise that there is racism in Brazil. Speaking about the Diaspora Congress, which had a strong focus on Pan-Africanism, he said a gathering made up mainly of Afro-Brazilians would have been unlikely 30 to 40 years ago.

“Only whites could come here [to join gatherings such as the Diaspora congress]. But, with the affirmative action policies, [and] quotas, black people are now entering universities, faculties, but they are still underrepresented. Black people constitute 57% of the Brazilian population, but we do not see them [in academia],” he added.

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