Conflicts of Interest at Confenen

Confenen , or Confederacao Nacional dos Estabelecimentos de Ensino is an association of Private Schools that has filed an Concentrated action at the supreme court, in attempt to Rio de Janeiro’s state law mandating quotas declared unconstitutional. Professor Texiera had another obligation, so we met with their Pubic Relations specialist.

It seemed no accident that they chose a person of African descent to be the public face of the Cofenen’s opposition to Rio de Janeiro’s three-year-old state law mandating quotas in Universities. With straight hair, and medium brown skin, he might have been labeled as pardo in some circles, and the ultimate authority on blackness – the police – would probably not have identified him as such. However, he immediately identified himself as black, as if this would strengthen the Cofenen’s anti-affirmative action stance. This was eerily reminiscent of Ward Connerly as the face of a very well funded anti-affirmative action (and, in my opinion, anti-Black) campaign. As our conversation grew more involved, it be came clear that our host was somewhat conflicted. But what was he to do? Good jobs are hard to come by, and he has a family to support.

Our meeting revealed an even more telling conflict of interest. Professor Texiera, who was unable to make our meeting, owns over 20 private schools in Rio de Janeiro. The new affirmative action law requires that 20% of the seats be reserved for people of African decent, 20% for people who attended public schools, and 5% for people with disabilities. Essentially 40 – 45% of the student body will be students who have limited (or no) financial resources. I was left speculating that perhaps the Cofenen’s stance is largely that of Professor Texiera, who has a monetary interest in making sure that quotas don’t limit the number of fee paying students in the schools that he owns. Is he interested in the Brazilian constitution or his own bottom line?