The African Diaspora within Brazil

After watching the video, I was able to answer a lot of questions regarding Brazil. I've often wondered if Brazil has an African diaspora history, given that the people there tend to have darker skin. I enjoyed how the reading began with a statement from W.E.B Dubois, which set the tone for the essay. This provided me with a greater understanding of the context around his statement about Brazilians and Venezuelans not owning their black features.

The reading provided me with background information on a New Orleans ritual that my family has been celebrating for many years. I love how, even now, Mardi Gras is a holiday that brings people of many races together; in 1890, enslavers and enslaved people would gather for wild festivities.

I was also interested by Chica da Silva's past. Silva was widely regarded as the most famous Black woman in Brazilian history and the most successful lady of the eighteenth century. Most enslaved Americans looked up to Chica's story since it was widely known that slavery in Brazil differed from that in America. Silvas' master fell in love with her; she had a son with her former master, and her new master purchased her from him. They dated for fifteen years and had thirteen children. Most people are fascinated by her story because she was able to socialize and establish a better living for herself after being a slave.

Because of her sacrifices, all of her children were able to advance in society while remaining entirely unaware of their black identity. Most black people today are proud of their ancestors and heritage, but they had to hide it in order to survive. Looking at Chica's experience, I wonder if her abandonment of her blackness is why Afro-Brazilians do not identify with their African characteristics.