Brazilian Soap Opera About A Black Boy In Love With A White Girl Who Hates Him Causes Controversy
Despite having one of the largest populations of African-descended people outside of Africa, race in Brazil is still a touchy subject. Despite its strides, black Brazilians still report being discriminated against and treated unfairly simply because of the color of their skin. In light of this, a new soap opera, based on a Mexican telenovela, is causing quite a stir in the country.
The show, Cirilo, features a young, black elementary schoolboy who is in love with a white girl who despises him, has many black Brazilians crying foul. During the show, the young girl openly rebuffs his advances in sometimes cruel ways simply because he is poor and black.
Many activists and writers are worried about the message the show will send young, black Brazilians. One writer, Daniela Gomes discussed what she sees as the possible damaging effects of this show.
Gomes writes (translated by the Afro-Europe blog):
I became really sad when I read an article where the writer (who is married with the owner of the TV channel) of the new version of the soap opera, said that she would keep all the racism’ scenes, because she would like to be faithful to the original version and because she believed it would help to show a real problem in Brazil.
At the same moment I wondered how to show a little black boy humiliation on TV in the prime Time without show any kind of reaction from him can help to combat racism? I became sadder when I saw that my little nephew and niece were watching the soap opera, but because I couldn’t do anything to make my protests about this listenable, I started to wonder about the subject.
I thought about the time when I watch the first version of the soap opera and how I suffered with the injustice committed by the girl and with Cirilo’s suffering. I thought about how happy we felt when Cirilo won a motorized car, black like him, in a lottery and had a race with a boy considered handsome in the history, who was rich and had a motorized car white like him. (In the story Maria Joaquina was in love with the white boy and insisted in to show to Cirilo how she and the other boy were equal and superior to Cirilo). It was as if we were had won with him.
I thought about all the boys that received the nickname Cirilo on their schools during that time. And I started to wonder if it didn’t help to develop on the boys of my generation (nowadays men who has 30 years old approximately), the Cirilo’ Syndrome.
What I call here Cirilo’ Syndrome, is the necessity that some men have in accept be treated in an inferior way when this kind of treatment comes from a white woman.
I never will judge personal relationships, because I don’t control people’s heart, but I have seen many black men being humiliated and accept this humiliation resigned only because they wish have a white woman on their sides.
I ask to myself if the behavior showed on this “innocent” soap opera, couldn’t help to create the resigned mind of many black men, who accept be called monkey by their girlfriends as if it was a lovely nickname.
I wonder if in our society where the myth of the racial democracy keeps doing its well successful brain wash, where the black main problem is he/she own identity bad formed, or lack of identity, wouldn’t be a disservice to create another generation of victims of this syndrome that only can create low self-esteem.
While parents ultimately are the largest contributing factor to their children’s self-esteem, it is hard to escape messages of inferiority unscathed. While it remains to seen whether or not Cirilo will be a hit, black Brazilians are pushing back against narratives that they claim demean them.
Correction: *sense*
It’s pathetic and if he were my kid (and this were real) I would beat the black off him. Have some damn pride and stick to ur own kind. This does happen in real life too cuz black men’s self hatred is so deep they will do anything for a sniff of a white woman. ughh
@Isis
I agree with you. A black male will do anything to sniff a white women. Emmit Till gave his life.
My son won’t have self esteem issues because he will come from a family that is proud to be black and he will be taught the truth about black people. He won’t be taught that white is right and black is ugly. He will be a proud black boy.
I agree with the comments made by the blogger. I don’t have much to add and know very little of Brazil. But from watching this short clip the message this sends is very clear. All that is missing is a little black girl that is being overlooked by the little black boy in favor for the little white girl.
A little off topic, because I find this fascinating. I’ve being reading people’s comments, here and elsewhere. And I’ve seen personal experiences, but with that I just took it as an individual matter than affecting more of the group. Yet I wonder are black men of the Americas really that white-washed? One can argue the power of the media in influencing behavior, and I would see that point, however it doesn’t really explain this phenomenon as I am led to believe exists.
Black women of the Americas have gone through the same experience, of slavery, discrimination, jim crow etc, yet I don’t see or read about black women preferring to be with white men or their ideal form of a male being of whiter skin. Whereas for black men
I get the impression the lighter, closer to white the “better”.
What’s going on here? Why were the men affected in this population to a greater extent than the women? If anyone can weigh in.
Great question which is a long answer. Will come back to it later
I would suggest you visit www beyondblackwhite com and read the articles and comments BLACK WOMEN MAKE ABOUT PREFERRING WHITE MEN. For you to visit this page and say you have not encountered articles or websites created and funded by black women that promote IR relationships involving black women and non black men only testifies to your limited scope and involvement on the internet.
@Guulo
Has it occured to you that black women manifest their issues in different ways i.e perms weaves skin bleaching etc? Lets not forget that the fair skin woman as ideal is universial and predates Euro colonialism.
For the record – Black women get relaxers, not perms.
New flash! White people aren’t the only people with straight hair! All races have straight to curly hair but blacks!
@geordieEndz
*Lets not forget that the fair skin woman as ideal is universal and predates Euro colonialism*
Uummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Come again! You must be a Black man or some other non Black who read a book and think you know what you are talking about. Did Africans before colonialism have this so call *ideal* also?
I cant help LMAO!!!! at some people and I hope Black women that you all see and hear and comprehend what black men are saying to you all.
@ GeordieEndz. Your statement “Lets not forget that the fair skin woman as ideal is universial and predates Euro colonialism.”
This is unfounded and has no semblance of truth. If you go to the motherland, which I encourage all black people to do, you will see no evidence of this. Blue black men (not trying to be offensive but emphasizing color) are married to blue black women. There was no colorism prior to colonialism. Post colonialism you don’t see the degree of colorism that black american men exhibit.
What we must understand is that colorism is a mental issue. The person’s self-worth, self-esteem, self-identify depends on the approval, and/or attainment of someone who is of a certain color. This is not ‘preference’ in which a number of black men used to explain away their behavior.
.@keeping it real. You stated “In addition to their isolation and socioeconomic differences”
It is interesting black men speak of black women as a monolithic but cry foul when they all are lumped together. Which group of black women are you referring to that are in isolation? Black women earn more degrees than black men. Black women are in more professional jobs than black men.
You stated “Young American black women are just not being pursued in great numbers by white and non black men.”
I’ve noticed lately this is trend explanation for black men. I believe the truth creates a cognitive dissonance for these black men. They want so badly for black women to be at the bottom that they will distort or give blinders to reality. Trust, non-black men hit on black women. The difference between black women and men is that black women don’t attach a great deal of significance to their self-worth b/c of this attraction. Thus, this men need more than white skin to get my attention
“Black women of the Americas have gone through the same experience, of slavery, discrimination, jim crow etc, yet I don’t see or read about black women preferring to be with white men or their ideal form of a male being of whiter skin. Whereas for black men
I get the impression the lighter, closer to white the ‘better’.”
I think that’s because men are more socialized to project (AKA externally focus), while women are conditioned to internalize. In other words, BM are indoctrinated to want WW while BW are indoctrinated to want to be WW.
@akosua: “”Young American black women are just not being pursued in great numbers by white and non black men”. I’ve noticed lately this is trend explanation for black men. I believe the truth creates a cognitive dissonance for these black men. They want so badly for black women to be at the bottom that they will distort or give blinders to reality. Trust, non-black men hit on black women. The difference between black women and men is that black women don’t attach a great deal of significance to their self-worth b/c of this attraction. “”
It’s called gaslighting, akosua. Many Black men want to convince Black women that men from other races do not like Black woman, no matter that many Black women have experienced being pursued by non-black men. I myself have always been pursued by non-black men of many ethnicities, including white, but chose to not be with them for various reasons. Most black men will take any white woman just to prove their point of hatred of Black women and Black skin. You know, cut of their noses to spite their face. Black women arde not that insecure. Sure, we will date and marry outside the race, but rarely just to prove a point or diss Black men, who have the same skin tone, hair, and hstory. Too many Black men are insecure and have turned on their own because of it.
They’re also jealous of “perceived” successes of Black women, whether these successes are real or not, and thus try to stick it to us. Many Jews turned against other Jews during the Nazi regime. So your own people can definitely turn on you – A large portion of Black men just turned against Black women and Blackness first in the Black race.
Black men and women are not socialized in a vacuum.
The phenomenon you describe has much more to do with choice than preference.
Generally speaking, black men in America are more desirable as romantic partners than black women. There are legions of black females who desperately want to be with non-black men but unfortunately, market forces are not on their side. If you want proof, take a gander at beyondblackandwhite
Daniela Gomes makes some good points I was of the mind set that they need to let the show play out and see if the writers make adjustments in the show that would make character’s pride and self respect redeemable. But why risk the chance the writers and producers don’t get it, and the damage in the process may not be worth it. On thing is for certain the boy getting the girl in the end should not be the ending here……….it should be more like boy says forget this chick, get money.
*Co-sign
LMFAO!!! lil BLK boy with low self esteem!! SMH… Don’t worry lil BLK boy you’ll grow up to be a B-Ball Player or a Football player then you’ll get the girl!! She may only be with you cuz u have money… and you’ll total be aware of it but will lie to yourself because of your LOW self esteem.. BUT of cares your uneducated and RICH. LOL!!!
pretty much!!
Simple and to the point.
I hope you realize that that FICTIONAL show was shot in Brazil, and that there is no pro Football league there. You pathetic broads need to address your issues of anger and bitter loneliness and leave that poor child actor alone.