Wisdom to the new minister and solidarity to Lenilso.

By Josué de Souza 

The speech by the new Minister of Human Rights, Silvio Almeida, fills with hope those who believe that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. That they are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” (HUMANS, DUDD (1948)). The speech, which went viral on social media, was, in the minister's own words, simple and obvious. He argued that the State cannot “forget the forgotten” and that human life and dignity must come first. In his speech, the jurist and philosopher also cited political and religious references ranging from Pastor Martin Luther King, Emicida, Mano Brown, Mandela, among others. He also mentioned elements of Yoruba culture.

It goes without saying that the new minister's discourse contrasts sharply with the stances of his predecessor. The now-elected senator for the Federal District, Damares Alves, not only made contradictory statements while at the Ministry of Women, Family and Human Rights (MDH), but also implemented practices that attacked the rights enshrined in the 1948 Constitution. The evangelical pastor simply froze the National Human Rights Plan. She also deactivated the public policy evaluation and social control councils. Nothing new for a minister in a government that glorified the dictatorship and honored torturers. Under the leadership of Bolsonaro and Damares Alves, the MDH ended the Truth and Justice Commission.

Symptomatic of this time that needs to be overcome were the attacks of intolerance and religious racism suffered by the human rights activist from Blumenau. Lenilso Silva last week, as reported in the press.  

The new Minister of Human Rights was responsible for popularizing the concept of structural racism in Brazil. In his writings, he teaches that racism has individual, institutional, and structural elements. It is based on a set of power relations monopolized and enjoyed by certain individuals. Therefore, racism is not only manifested through pathological reactions like those offered to the activist from Blumenau. It is structured and manifests itself in the economy, in politics, and in state institutions.

To overcome racism, much more than winning an election is needed. It requires changing the structures that produce and legitimize it. State policies must be promoted that not only foster a culture of diversity, but are also relentless against racists. Wisdom to the new minister and solidarity to Lenilso.