Celebrating Black Brazilian Female Authors at Rio Carnival

During the 2023 Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, samba schools Imperio Serrano and Unidos da Tijuca uniquely spotlighted the contributions of Black Brazilian female authors, a historically marginalized group. This year's parades featured 79-year-old Conceição Evaristo, a prominent writer known for her works that center on the experiences of Black women, who participated atop a float designed by Imperio Serrano. Unidos da Tijuca dedicated its parade to the late Carolina Maria de Jesus, a diarist from the favela who passed away in 1977. Evaristo also played a significant role in this tribute, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the narratives that emerge from Black communities.

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Carolina Maria de Jesus gained recognition for her diary, which chronicles her struggles as a single mother in a São Paulo favela. Since its publication in 1960, her work has sold over a million copies, highlighting the enduring relevance of her experiences. Despite facing criticism for her writing style, Evaristo defends de Jesus's contributions, asserting that they reflect a vital aspect of Brazil's cultural history. Both authors rose from humble beginnings, and their stories resonate with the ongoing challenges faced by Black women in Brazil today.

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Black women in Brazil continue to experience systemic discrimination, often facing higher rates of poverty, illiteracy, and gender-based violence compared to their white counterparts. The recent appointment of Ana Maria Gonçalves as the first Black woman to the Brazilian Academy of Letters marks a significant milestone, yet scholars argue that racial and gender biases still permeate the institution's history. Felipe Fanuel Xavier Rodrigues, a literature professor at the Rio de Janeiro State University, noted that Evaristo's exclusion from the academy underscores the persistent inequalities within Brazilian literature.

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The parades at Carnival serve as a transformative political act, challenging the structural racism embedded in Brazilian society. According to Rodrigues, Carnival creates a space where societal norms are suspended, allowing for the emergence of alternative narratives. The floats and costumes prominently featured books, symbolizing an act of "historical reparation" for the overlooked contributions of Black authors. Evaristo remarked that the parades present "other forms of knowledge that are born in Black communities," celebrating Brazil's rich diversity.

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• “For Black women in Brazil everything is very difficult,” — Conceição Evaristo, Writer

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• “We are a country that often ends up forgetting our own history. And yet we have an incredibly rich cultural history. Carolina illustrates this very powerfully,” — Maria Gal, Actor

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• “I have no doubt about the fact that if Conceição Evaristo were a white man, she would already be a part of the Brazilian Academy of Letters,” — Felipe Fanuel Xavier Rodrigues, Literature Professor

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The recognition of Black Brazilian female authors at Carnival not only highlights their literary contributions but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles against systemic discrimination and the importance of celebrating diverse voices in Brazilian culture.

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