Neither black nor white? Pardos and the Brazilian Racial Puzzle

• In Event: 029 - Regular Session. Multiracial Classification/Identity

Abstract

A critical yet understudied element of Brazilian race relations is the perspective of those identified as pardos (term used in Brazil to refer to browns or mixed), the ethno-racial identification that has increased the most in Census surveys over time. Historically, Brazilian pardos share with blacks a lower socioeconomic status, but systematically perceive less racial discrimination when compared to them. By focusing on the perceptions of pardos, we are able to analyze two key issues for Brazilian race relations – racial identification and the measurement of discrimination – from an original perspective. Our argument relies on survey data as well as in-depth interviews with people who are identified as pardos according to Brazilian Census categories, exploring their perceptions, strategies and definitions of racial and symbolic boundaries.

Authors

• Luciana de Souza Leao, Columbia University

• Graziella Moraes D. Silva, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro