Exposing Racism and Police Brutality in Brazil: The Lethal Targeting of the Black Community
An unsettling report by a collective of NGOs, the Network of Security Observatories, brings to light the alarming rates of racial violence that plague Brazil. This issue, which often manifests as police brutality, disproportionately affects the country’s black population.
Alarming Statistics Reflect Racial Violence
In 2022, Brazil witnessed a harrowing statistic: every four hours, an Afro-descendant person was killed during police interventions, with black individuals constituting 87% of these fatalities. This data unveils a tragic pattern of targeted violence.
The Report: “The Bullet Does Not Miss the Black”
The recent study titled “The Bullet Does Not Miss the Black” is a grim testament to the systemic violence inflicted on those of African descent, especially in marginalized areas like favelas. André Rodrigues, a political scientist and coordinator at the Laboratory of Studies on Politics and Violence at the University of Fluminense, starkly describes the situation, noting, “This violence is not random or accidental; it is rational.”
Historical Roots of Racism
The roots of this issue can be traced back to the era of slavery. Even though slavery has been abolished, the ideology that perpetuated it still drives state action. Rodrigues criticizes the enduring racist attitudes in Brazilian governance and society, explaining that police violence is but a tool wielded by the white economic elites to maintain a deeply inequitable society.
Troubles Beyond Borders: Guatemala’s Presidential Transition Issues
Turning our focus to Guatemala, the report also sheds light on the controversial presidential transition in the country. The Prosecutor’s Office aims to remove immunity from president-elect Bernardo Arévalo, his vice president, and members of the Semilla Movement. The United States has condemned these actions, which have drawn widespread attention. Gabriela Carrera, a Guatemalan political scientist, provided further insights into the matter.
Dissemination of Critical Issues Through Media
The program “In orbit,” where much of this discussion takes place, is broadcast across various platforms ensuring that these pressing issues are brought to the public’s attention. Listeners can tune in to Radio M24 in Uruguay, Concepto FM 95.5 in Argentina, and Radio Illimani – Patria Nueva and Radio Kawsachun Coca in Bolivia.
This dissemination underscores the importance of media in the ongoing dialogue about racism and police violence—not only in Brazil and Guatemala but throughout Latin America and beyond.
Contact and Credits
The report mentioned in this article was prepared and published by the NGOs that comprise the Network of Security Observatories and initially covered by Sputnik World. Sputnik World is responsible for the original reporting and can be reached at [email protected] or through their main office line at +74956456601, with a presence on Twitter @SputnikMundo.
The persistent racial violence and political turbulence within these countries remind us of the necessity for vigilance and advocacy in addressing social injustices, as well as the power of media to bring awareness and demand change.
Please note that this data was accurate as of the initial reporting date and the situation may have evolved since then.