Between Tropical Beauties, Hottentots and Muses: Representations of Black Women in Brazilian Society. Annual Meeting of the American Historical Association. Atlanta-Georgia- January, 2016. (original) (raw)

Abstract

In 2014, during the last world cup in Brazil, we testimonied a profusion of images and narratives that reinforced the stereotype of the over sexualized Brazilian woman. Nationally and internationally these ideas were repeatedly affirmed through the exposition of Brazilian Afro-Latino bodies in a market that explored western sexual consumerism and exotic ideas about Latin Americans. I argue that these ideas are not new and have they roots at least at the 19th century. When American and Europeans travelers visit Brazil they dedicated special attention in describing the African and afro Brazilian female population recording they eccentric blackness, racial mixing, nudity and “savage” sexual appetite. These fantasies about the local female population were a metaphor of the exotic and tropical land that, like the local black women, the visitors expected to dominate and explore. This presentation is an effort to connect historical and contemporary representation of black women bodies in Brazil as portrayed by American observers.

Luciana Brito hasn't uploaded this conference presentation.

Let Luciana know you want this conference presentation to be uploaded.

Ask for this conference presentation to be uploaded.