Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: SAGBO GAUTIER REGIS KAKPO

SOCIAL REPRESENTATIONS AND PREJUDICE ABOUT AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS IN BRAZIL

social representations, prejudice, african people

Immigration is a complex phenomenon that has always existed in the world, although its characteristics, causes and consequences have changed over time. In the last decades, mainly after the Second World War period, the migratory issue has been intensifying with constant flows. Several countries in the world perceive the increase in human movement on the planet. Due to Brazil's history of slavery and migration, there are many prejudices and social stereotypes regarding African immigrants. Afro-Brazilians, who make up about 56% of the population, are often thought of as descendants of African slaves. Thus, African immigrants are often seen as belonging to poor communities, with low education and low socioeconomic status. African immigrants have been little studied in Brazil, and the social representations and prejudices related to this population are still poorly understood. This doctoral thesis aims to analyze the social representations and prejudices towards African immigrants in Brazil, based on a review of the existing literature, interviews with African immigrants residing in different states of Brazil and analysis of news and media discourses. Also taking into account not only the social representations formed by African immigrants about Brazil and Brazilians, but also of Brazilians about them. These prejudices are reinforced by the media, which often presents negative images of African immigrants as drug dealers, criminals or vulnerable people. The media can also highlight cultural differences between Brazil and African countries, portraying them as inferior or less developed than Brazil. However, it is important to emphasize that these social representations are based on stereotypes and do not reflect the diversity of African communities residing in Brazil. African immigrants in Brazil can come from many different countries with varied cultures, languages and custos. Social representations are considered forms of consciousness generally known as popular consciousness or common sense, which are systems of interpretation of reality that govern the relationships of individuals with their physical and social environment, guiding their behavior and social practices.