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By Darius Spearman (africanelements)
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| KEY TAKEAWAYS |
|---|
| Quilombola communities are threatened by infrastructure projects and land exploitation. |
| 98.2% of Quilombola territories face danger from overlapping private interests. |
| The Brazilian state often ignores laws meant to protect these vulnerable communities. |
| A study shows an alarming increase in violence against quilombolas from 2018 to 2022. |
| Quilombola advocacy groups are essential for raising awareness and demanding justice. |
| Immediate action is needed to secure land rights and access to essential services. |
The Resilient Legacy of Quilombos
In the heart of Brazil lie quilombola communities, symbols of resistance and strength. These settlements, founded by former enslaved Africans, have a rich history of freedom. But now, they face threats as powerful groups take over their lands.
Quilombos began as safe havens during Brazil’s slavery era. Even after abolition in 1888, they stood strong against continued exploitation and persecution. However, their fight for rights continues against systemic racism and economic challenges.
Understanding Quilombos and Quilombolas
Quilombos are communities founded by enslaved Africans who escaped bondage in Brazil. These settlements became places where freedom and cultural traditions thrived. The people living in these communities are known as quilombolas. They preserved their heritage by passing down music, dance, food, and language through generations (Making Their Own Way: Brazil’s Quilombola Communities – IAF).
These communities formed in various ways, including escape to isolated lands, inheritance, or land purchases. Quilombos symbolized the shift from being enslaved to becoming free farmers (Quilombolas Communities in Brazil – Comissão Pró-Índio de São Paulo). Today, they continue to exist as reminders of resistance and cultural identity.
Defining Systemic Racism
Systemic Racism: Policies and practices within institutions that unfairly disadvantage certain groups. It goes beyond personal bias, existing in social, economic, and political systems. Recognizing this helps address the root causes of inequality in areas like policing and housing.
Systemic Racism and Its Impact
Systemic racism is deeply rooted in Brazilian society, affecting quilombola communities significantly. The lack of land rights and recognition exposes them to land disputes and violence. Government policies often overlook their needs, leaving them vulnerable (Quilombolas Communities in Brazil – Comissão Pró-Índio de São Paulo).
This form of racism is not just about individual prejudices. It is embedded in laws, policies, and institutions that continue to marginalize quilombolas. Their struggle for land and cultural preservation is hindered by systemic barriers (Quilombo – Wikipedia).
Organizations Championing Quilombola Rights
Several organizations work tirelessly to support quilombola communities. The Socioenvironmental Institute (ISA) advocates for their rights by providing legal assistance and promoting environmental justice (Making Their Own Way: Brazil’s Quilombola Communities – IAF).
The National Coordination of Articulation of Black Rural Quilombola Communities (Conaq) represents quilombola interests across Brazil. Conaq engages in political action and mobilization to protect their land rights and cultural heritage (Quilombos, hotbeds of Afro-Brazilian resistance – UNESCO Courier).
The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) plays a crucial role by conducting the national census. This census includes data on quilombola populations, which informs policy and resource allocation (Quilombolas Communities in Brazil – Comissão Pró-Índio de São Paulo).
Environmental Rights and Land Rights
For quilombola communities, environmental rights are intertwined with land rights. Their traditional lands are rich in natural resources essential for their way of life. Protecting the environment means safeguarding their culture and livelihood (Quilombolas Communities in Brazil – Comissão Pró-Índio de São Paulo).
Infrastructure projects often threaten these rights by causing environmental degradation. Large-scale developments can lead to deforestation, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity, directly impacting quilombola communities (Quilombos, hotbeds of Afro-Brazilian resistance – UNESCO Courier).
A Land Under Threat
Recent reports highlight the dangers facing quilombola territories. According to a study by the Socioenvironmental Institute (ISA) and Conaq, 98.2% of Brazil’s Quilombola territories face threats from infrastructure projects, mining, or overlapping private properties (ISA; Conaq).
This serious situation shows how these lands are surrounded by forces aiming to exploit and displace. Road projects and contaminating prisons are just a few ways this occurs.
State Complicity and Institutional Betrayal
The most disturbing part is the Brazilian state’s role in this crisis. Instead of protecting the communities, authorities often ignore their struggles or work with those causing harm. The state fails to officially recognize these territories, leaving them vulnerable to land thieves (Brasil de Fato).
Laws protecting quilombola rights go unenforced, and threats against leaders remain unanswered. Corporate interests often prevail over human rights.
The Human Cost of Neglect
This neglect has dire consequences. A study by Conaq and Terra de Direito shows that murders of quilombolas almost doubled from 2018-2022, compared to 2008-2017. This jump in violence mirrors the growing pressure on these lands (Terra de Direito).
Violence Against Quilombola Communities
Annual Murders (2018-2022)
Nearly doubled compared to 2008-2017
Women Murdered
Proportion doubled compared to 2008-2017
Personal stories highlight these struggles. In 2017, Wellington Gabriel de Jesus dos Santos’s father was killed over a landfill dispute near their land. Such tragedies are part of a larger pattern of intimidation.
Infrastructure Projects: A Double-Edged Sword
Development in Brazil often harms quilombola communities. Although meant for growth, infrastructure projects ignore their rights and safety. In 2012, Quilombo Pitanga dos Palmares protested against a road project that could have divided their land and hurt their environment.
Similarly, a prison built on quilombola land in 2007 led to crime and water contamination. Such projects, done without proper consultation, harm these vulnerable communities.
The Fight for Recognition and Rights
Despite overwhelming challenges, quilombola communities keep fighting for their land and culture. They engage with legal systems globally and locally. The 2022 IBGE census on quilombolas increased visibility, but more remains to be accomplished.
Groups like Conaq amplify their voices, demanding justice. They have caught global attention to the communities’ plight, pressuring Brazil to protect them.
Towards Justice and Reparations
Action is needed immediately on many fronts. Securing land rights is essential for quilombola survival and their cultural preservation. Access to education and healthcare is crucial to their community’s well-being.
Stronger laws and their enforcement are necessary to protect these lands. Those threatening quilombola leaders must be held accountable.
Furthermore, Brazil needs to recognize quilombola heritage positively. These communities are important keepers of history and culture, and their preservation is vital for the nation.
A Call to Action
The struggle of quilombola communities reminds us of slavery and colonialism’s legacy. It pushes us to address systemic racism affecting Afro-Brazilian populations and value quilombos’ contributions to Brazil’s culture.
As the communities face new threats, the need for unity and action is urgent. Merely acknowledging their plight is not enough; steps must be taken to secure their lands, protect their rights, and ensure their future. This fight for justice is a fight for Brazil’s soul.
FAQ
Q: What are quilombola communities?
A: Quilombola communities are settlements in Brazil founded by formerly enslaved Africans, representing a legacy of resistance and Afro-Brazilian culture.
Q: What threats do quilombola communities face today?
A: Quilombola communities face threats from infrastructure projects, mining requests, and overlapping private properties, with 98.2% of their territories under siege.
Q: How has the Brazilian state responded to the challenges faced by quilombola communities?
A: The Brazilian state’s response has often been one of neglect, with authorities turning a blind eye or colluding with those harming quilombola communities.
Q: What are the human costs of neglecting quilombola rights?
A: Systemic neglect has led to increased violence, with the annual average of quilombolas murdered almost doubling from 2018 to 2022 compared to earlier years.
Q: What steps are being taken to support quilombola communities?
A: Advocacy groups like Conaq are working to amplify quilombola voices, demanding justice and calling for recognition of their rights and land.
Q: Why is recognition of quilombola rights important?
A: Recognition of quilombola rights is vital for their cultural preservation and survival, as it provides a foundation against exploitation and marginalization.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.
