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The date commemorates the death of Zumbi dos Palmares, a key leader of the Quilombo dos Palmares, a community of escaped enslaved people who resisted colonial oppression in the 17th century. He was a symbol of resistance and freedom, representing the fight against slavery. He was killed on 20 November 1695, making this date emblematic of Afro-Brazilian resilience.
For Christina Takatsu Winnischofer, general secretary of the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil, the libertarian ideals of Zumbi are connected to Christ's proposal to defend freedom for all people: “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).
“Despite the constitutional guarantee of equal rights for all Brazilian citizens, Black and Indigenous people still need to resist the oppression and domination caused by racist attitudes that deny their right to freedom,” said Winnischofer.
Racism in Brazil is a deeply rooted issue, reflecting the country's history of slavery and its enduring socioeconomic inequalities.
Rev. Francisco Leite, moderator of the United Presbyterian Church of Brazil, stressed that “historically, our church has identified with the fight against racism and has demonstrated its engagement in this cause through its ‘Apology to Black People,’ a document approved at its 2008 General Assembly, and its pronouncement on the need to combat intolerance and racism.”
Black Awareness Day became widely celebrated in the 1970s as part of the Afro-Brazilian civil rights movement. It was officially recognized in 2003 and included in Brazil's school curriculum. In 2011, it was declared a public holiday.
The leadership of the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil used its social media channels to reaffirm its commitment to justice, equality, and overcoming racism.
“Aware of its evangelical commitment to justice and the value of life in all its forms, we acknowledge ethnic-racial discrimination as a present reality in our midst and in society, and therefore, we call for transformation. Together, as a faith community, we remain inspired by the love of Christ, who embraces and values every person with equal dignity.”
Afro-Brazilians make up a significant portion of Brazil's population but often face disparities in education, employment, and social status. Black Awareness Day is an important reminder of Brazil's rich Afro-descendant culture and the ongoing need to combat systemic racism.
