Entertainment · Books & Arts · 4 hrs ago
Brazil must confront colonial legacies to strengthen democracy
Drawing on a metaphor by thinker and artist Grada Kilomba, the essay says Brazil’s colonial past remains present rather than being confined to history books.
It argues that racism, misogyny, violence and authoritarianism surface repeatedly in Brazilian elections because their roots have not been fully confronted.
The essay points to the end of slavery without reparations, the creation of the republic without equal power, and the transition from dictatorship without adequate accountability.
These unresolved legacies, it says, continue to shape institutions, work, wealth and political life.
Winning an election cannot by itself defeat authoritarianism, because elections do not transform the structures that sustain hatred and inequality.
The essay says a more substantive democracy requires memory, truth, reparations and change, including education and public policies that address structural inequality.
It presents confronting these legacies as an urgent task raised by elections and necessary for a more inclusive democratic future.
The article argues that Brazil must confront the lasting effects of colonialism, racism and misogyny to build a substantive democracy.
It says formal changes, including the abolition of slavery and the establishment of the Republic, did not dismantle inherited inequalities.
The author warns that defeating an authoritarian candidate at the ballot box cannot by itself defeat authoritarianism.
The article calls for memory, truth, reparations, education and public policies to address structural inequalities.
It says democracy depends not only on votes but also on whether people can participate fully in public life.
- Who
- The article's author, whose name is not stated.
- What
- The author argues that Brazil must address colonial legacies and structural inequalities to strengthen democracy.
- When
- The article was published on 2026-10-22.
- Where
- Brazil.
- Why
- The author says colonial-era hierarchies continue to shape social relations and political life.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Publication date
- 2026-10-22
- Country
- Brazil
- Book cited
- Memórias da Plantação
- Thinker and artist cited
- Grada Kilomba
- Colonial legacy measures proposed
- Memory, truth, reparations and transformation
What people are saying
The elections are fundamental, but they do not, on their own, have the power to transform the structures that feed hatred.
There is no true reconciliation without justice.
A democracy is not sustained only by counting votes, but also by the conditions of existence of those who vote, those who are elected and, above all, those who have historically been prevented from fully participating in public life.