Alex's Project

I will be investigating the marginalization of Roma (Gypsies) in Brazil and the types of programs implemented on their behalf. The government has begun to address some of the problems afflicting this minority (access to healthcare, education and identity documents) through various programs. The purpose of this research is to use a Critical Race Theory approach to assess where the Roma fit in the larger discourse on race and affirmative action in Brazil. This would lay the groundwork for scholarship comparing the racialization of Roma in Brazil to that in the United States, where they are absent in racial discourse, as well as to that in Romania, where Roma are the main subjects of racial equality discourse.

Another important facet of this research will entail investigating the gendered components of programs aimed at promoting Romani culture. (Such programs have been recently initiated by the Ministry of Culture.) In other words how do these programs portray, challenge and/or reinforce internal patriarchy? Most importantly, how can they be altered to reflect a more progressive notion of Romani culture? I plan to meet with members of the Romani NGO, APRECI (Sao Paolo), members of the Grupo de Trabalho para as Culturas Ciganas (Rio de Janeiro), and with missionaries from Amigos dos Ciganos (Curitiba).