Exporting race: Brazilian race relations through the lens of U.S. sociology

• In Event: 41021 - Student Forum Refereed Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Roundtable 14: Race and Place

Abstract

This literature review will analyze how U.S. scholarship interprets and examines Brazilian race relations. While the field acknowledges that cultural backgrounds shape perceptions of racial dynamics differently, U.S. dominance in race-related research not only significantly influences how race is represented but also affects how it is studied worldwide. On the other hand, the contributions of race scholars from the U.S. illustrate common threads in social movements and academic approaches that aim to create discourses fostering unity to confront and organize against racism. My goal is to trace how U.S. scholars frame the Brazilian process of racialization, identify existing gaps, and evaluate the extent to which references align with contemporary Brazilian studies. My main questions are: How does U.S. sociological scholarship interpret Brazilian race relations, and how do these interpretations shape new perceptions of race, particularly in light of sociological research produced in Brazil? The central argument is that in the case of Brazilian race relations, U.S. academic publications not only adapt contexts and categories for an English-speaking audience but also shape new interpretations of how race is constructed in Brazil. Ultimately, this study contributes to broader discussions on U.S. imperialism and the structural nature of racism in shaping social hierarchies in both countries.

Author

• Camila Santos Pereira, Northeastern University