US Politics in Brazil

Today we met with Sao Paolo Councilwoman, Claudette Alves, the only black woman to serve as a councilwoman in 450 years of Brazilian history. Mrs. Alves was an inspiration to many women in our group. As we sat at lunch with her discussing her perspectives of the black experience in Brazil, from her own experiences of torture as the only black student in her school, to the strength of the black hip hop movement in Brazil, our conversation inevitably turned to the upcoming election in the US and the question that seems to be on the minds of almost every person we have met since arriving in Brazil 10 days ago – what do we think of Barack Obama.

Interestingly, as I sat down to write this blog tonight, I opened my Internet to MSN.com and found an article discussing the affirmative action debate in the US and implications of having both a female and an African American vying for the presidential race. The article explained the “basics” of the affirmative action debate, citing Ward Connerly’s campaign to end affirmative action as part of his self-described “civil rights initiative”. It went on to mention one of his leading anti-affirmative action claims right now, that the struggle between a man of color and a woman as our nations leader shows that affirmative action is unnecessary to “compensate for institutional racism and institutional sexism.”

Whether visiting with the head of Olodum or Criola, or sitting over lunch with a council member of Sao Paolo, one of the most asked questions we have been given is our impressions over Barack Obama and the implications his election might have on both the US and the rest of the world. Councilwoman Alves shared with us her own thoughts on the implications of electing Barack Obama. She stated that whether or not he became the first black president in the US, his presence on the ballot and among the American people could not be denied. Councilwoman Alves shared with us her thoughts on Barack Obama, stating her belief that his election could lead to a tremendous change for our country. She believed that his election would change the way the rest of the world viewed Americans – that we know longer would be viewed as isolated elitists.
Many of the organizations we have met with have shown their enthusiasm over the potential of the first black president in the United States. As councilwoman Alves stated, the election of Barack Obama would have international implications, which she believes would be extremely positive. Other NGO leaders as well as University students have shown their excitement and wonder over Barack Obama. On a global scale, he has become a symbol of hope and promise for change within the United States. In Brazil, where many people believe that racism doesn’t exist or isn’t as bad in the United States, it seems as if they look at Barack Obama as a representation of where their own affirmative action programs may take him. For Councilwoman Alves and so many others here, Obama is a part of the beginning of what affirmative action programs might lead to – not a sign that racism has been cured and should be ended.