Brazil on the Rise
Chapter 3 "The Myth of a Racial Paradise"


1) This chapter says "Brazilians like to think of their country as a racial democracy, and they have done a remarkable job of selling that to the rest of the world. Over the years, delegations from the United STates, South Africa, Malaysia and other nations with long histories of racial or ethnic tensions have got to Brazil to learn the secret of its successes and to be able to transfer that formula to their own countries."

Most of the evidence in this chapter refutes this claim of a racial democracy. List at least 5 pieces of evidence of this kind.


Also look for specific evidence in this chapter that supports the idea that Brazil has an especially good social recipe for reducing racial tensions and/or discrimination.

2) This chapter mentions a number of other prominently represented ethnic minorities. Briefly list these and include some interesting statistics about them from the chapter.

3) Briefly describe the history of slavery in Brazil. When started? When ended? Describe some key ways in which it was different than in the United States.

4) What has been the dominant reaction in Brazil to ideas such as affirmative action or quotas in hiring?

5) Is there anything else in this chapter that you found especially interesting?


6) As you read make a list of questions that you have that you might
either want to ask one of our video chat guests or hosts (or perhaps
investigate yourself as part of your powerpoint presentation).  Write 
at least 3 new questions inspired by this chapter.


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Black in Latin America Episode 2: Brazil a Racial Paradise

1) Similarly look for evidence in the film to both refute and support the claim of a racial democracy. 

Most of the evidence in this chapter refutes this claim of a racial democracy. List at least 5 pieces of evidence of this kind.


Also look for specific evidence in the film that supports the idea that Brazil has an especially good social recipe for reducing racial tensions and/or discrimination. If not a racial paradise is there evidence that 
suggests Brazil has less racial discrimination than the US?

2) What did Prof. João Reis from the Federal University of Bahia, say about the differences in living conditions for slaves in Brazil vs slaves in other parts of the Americas like the Caribbean or the US? What were the main reasons for this difference?


3) What did Prof. Junia Furtado from the Federal University of Minas Gerais say about the life of Chica da Silva and what that says about Brazilian attitudes towards social integration of different races in Brazil?  What was the experience of Zeze Motta, the actress who played Chica da Silva in a film about her life? 

4) Is there anything else in this film that you found especially interesting?

5) Did this film inspire any questions you would like to add to your list of questions to ask on our trip?