Remarks by Racial Equality Secretary Touch Off Controversy - Sao Paulo

O Estado de Sao Paulo's Vannildo Mendes and Roldao Arruda report that remarks by Racial Equality Secretary Matilde Ribeiro regarding race relations generated controversy in the administration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. In an interview with the BBC's Brazilian service, Ribeiro said that she considered it "natural" for Afro-Brazilians to harbor racism toward their White compatriots - adding that "not to the same extent as in the United States." The secretary went on to say that "It is not racism when a Black person rises up against a White person. Racism is when an economic, political, or numerical majority represses or vetoes the rights of others. The reaction of a Black person to not want to coexist with a White person, or not to like a White person I believe to be a natural reaction; although I am not encouraging that." Secretary Ribeiro added that "it is natural for that to happen, because those who were whipped all their lives are not obligated to like those who whipped them." Justice Ministry official Percilio de Sousa Lima Neto said:  "As a Black man, I cannot grasp the meaning of such an odd statement." Brazilian Attorneys' Association (OAB) President Cezar Britto said that "accepting any type of prejudice cannot be considered an efficient measure insofar as a racial democracy is concerned." Secretary Ribeiro said that her remarks had been taken out of context. [Sao Paulo O Estado de Sao Paulo (Internet Version-WWW) in Portuguese --- influential, center-right daily]

Columnist Evaluates Ribeiro Remarks - Sao Paulo

O Estado de Sao Paulo Columnist Dora Kramer writes that Racial Equality Secretary Matilde Ribeiro "outdid her boss. [President Luiz Inacio] Lula [da Silva], produced an unbeatable statement in the political incorrectness department during his visit to the capital of Namibia; surprised by the fact that Windhoek appeared to be so developed, he said that he did not have the impression of  'being in Africa.'" Kramer adds that Ribeiro "went beyond the politically incorrect" and "incurred into a manifestation of pure racism."

O Estado de São Paulo, 28/03/2007.

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