Brazilian Society Redefines Ethnicity and Race, Signaling Significant Demographic Change
As Brazil’s census data confirmed a historic shift in racial demographics, millions of Brazilians, like graphic designer Gleyson Borges, have embarked on a personal and collective journey in defining their own racial identity. For Borges, growing up in a typical Brazilian private school where most of his colleagues were white, his childhood memories are marked by the challenge of defining his own skin color.
In an effort to assert his racial identity, the Brazilian artist, who signs his urban art as A Coisa Ficou Preta (the thing has turned black), recalled using a mustard-colored pencil to illustrate the differences in skin color to his schoolmates. Borges, now 31, came to define himself as black, highlighting the deeply personal nature of the journey faced by millions of Brazilians as they navigate the complexities of their racial identity.
The latest census data, for the first time in over a century and a half, showed that mestizos—a term used in Brazil to describe a mix of different races—have now surpassed whites as the largest racial group, accounting for 45% of the population.
Anthropologist Lilia Schwarcz, who defines herself as white, attributes this shift to the evolving understanding of racial identity within Brazilian society brought about by the struggles of black activism, positive affirmation policies, and the implementation of quotas.
Moreover, the implementation of quotas a decade ago sparked controversy, with many white families expressing concerns about the increased representation of mixed-race and black students in universities. These policy changes reflect a broader shift in perception, challenging the historical underrepresentation of black and mixed-race Brazilians in various spheres of society.
As Brazil faces this significant shift in racial demographics, the perception of racial identity continues to evolve, even leading to changes in how individuals define themselves. However, these shifts, as seen in the case of Borges and myriad others, carry personal and collective implications for the future of Brazil’s society and cultural landscape.