SKIN COLOR, RACIAL IDENTITY, AND LIFE CHANCES IN BRAZIL

In: Latin American perspectives: a journal on capitalism and socialism, Band 25, Heft 100, S. 90-109

Abstract

BRAZIL HAS LONG HELD A SPECIAL PLACE IN COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF RACE RELATIONS AND IDENTITY. THIS DISCUSSION SERVES TO HIGHLIGHT MANY OF THE NUANCES OF RACIAL IDENTITY IN BRAZIL. IT MAKES EXPLICIT THE CAVEATS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF DATA PRODUCED BY THE CENSUS BUREAU. BECAUSE THE EMPIRICAL FINDINGS ARE BASED ON NATIONAL CENSUSES AND SURVEYS, THE STUDY BEGINS WITH A REVIEW OF THE DEBATES REGARDING THE USE OF THESE DATA.