Racial Literacy and the 8 Types of Racism You Need to Know

Discover the 8 Types of Racism

It is vital to understand the various facets of racism to combat it effectively. Below, we explore the eight main types, with practical examples:

• Structural Racism: Manifests through actions, beliefs, and political systems, permeating structures like the labor market, access to basic rights (health, education), and even family and affective relationships. It is rooted in security, economy, and politics. Data from IBGE reveals this disparity: only 29.9% of management positions in Brazil are held by Black individuals, 75% of murdered people are Black, and three out of four Brazilians in the poorest 10% are Black. It is a worldwide reality.

• Institutional Racism: Practiced by institutions, it is substantiated by numbers and statistics. It occurs in places where Black people are marginalized, such as in the workplace or educational environment. In the political sphere, the low percentage of elected Black deputies and council members is a clear reflection of this racism.

• Cultural Racism: Advocates the idea that one culture is superior to another. It is subtle and manifests through beliefs, religions, music, languages, and other cultural aspects. It is the denial or devaluation of the cultural expressions of specific groups.

• Scientific or Biological Racism: Based on pseudoscience to justify racial inferiority or superiority. A recent example in Brazil was the case of a gynecologist who claimed that the vaginal odor of Black women would be stronger than that of white women, without any scientific basis. This is a fiction created by scientists, as the video itself summarizes, which was once normalized in the past and should not be repeated. Be alert to any attempt to biologically differentiate people by skin color.

• Communitarian Racism: A theory that argues race is not biological, but rather derived from specific ethnicities or cultures. While it may seem counterintuitive, it is a type of racism that deserves investigation and understanding.

• Ecological (Environmental) Racism: Affects the environment and ethnic communities, especially marginalized groups or minorities, through the unfair distribution of resources and spaces. In cities, for example, we see planned areas with complete infrastructure contrasting with neighborhoods lacking basic sanitation, education, health, or potable water, where the Black and Indigenous populations predominantly reside.

• Recreational Racism: Occurs when discriminatory acts are disguised as “jokes” or “humor.” It moves beyond humor to become a racial offense. Comedians who use supposed “acid humor” to attack ethnic groups are perpetuating this type of racism, which is also a crime and must be combated. We cannot normalize jokes that mock differences.

The Importance of Racial Literacy

Understanding racial literacy and the types of racism is fundamental for several reasons:

• Promotes a new perspective on Black identity and stimulates interest in Black authors.
• Culturally enriches through African and Afro-Brazilian histories, heritage, and traditions.
• Encourages dialogue, active listening, and reflection.
• Helps deconstruct internalized racist practices and ideas.
• Empowers individuals with mastery of racial vocabulary and the importance of playful and respectful use, avoiding derogatory words.
• Encourages the combat against covert and subtle racism in everyday life.
• Reinforces the need to eliminate racial jokes, comments, and insults in any environment: professional, educational, or family.

A Continuous Commitment

The fight against racism is not limited to Black November; it is a daily commitment. By understanding that diversity must be respected everywhere, we can build a more just, inclusive, and respectful world for everyone. Turma do Jiló reiterates the invitation for you to continue delving into this topic and combating racism in all its forms.