{"id":77504,"date":"2024-03-08T10:03:13","date_gmt":"2024-03-08T13:03:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=77504"},"modified":"2025-08-07T12:10:59","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T15:10:59","slug":"this-womens-day-learn-about-carolina-maria-de-jesus-a-historic-afro-brazilian-author-from-the-favelas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=77504","title":{"rendered":"This Women\u2019s Day, Learn About the Ongoing Relevance of Carolina Maria de Jesus, a Historic Afro-Brazilian Author from the Favelas [REVIEW]"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Carolina<\/a>
Carolina Maria de Jesus on May 27, 1952. Photo: Norberto Esteves\/ Jornal \u00daltima Hora<\/em>, S\u00e3o Paulo. Collection: Public Archive of the State of S\u00e3o Paulo<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Clique aqui para Portugu\u00eas<\/i><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n

A Brazilian Literary Classic<\/h3>\n

Carolina Maria de Jesus said so much about Brazil. Her writing, charged with feeling and indignation, reflected a difficult reality not only experienced by the writer herself, decades ago, but by millions of Brazilians even today. Her works are documents that bear witness to the resistance of a Black woman from the favela. Leaving the countryside in her home state of Minas Gerais<\/a>, she moved to Favela do Canind\u00e9<\/a> in central S\u00e3o Paulo<\/a>, from where her literary and poetic works earned their place in Brazil’s literary canon<\/a> and in the ongoing fight against racism. She also made significant contributions to the national socioeconomic debate.<\/p>\n

Carolina Maria de Jesus\u2019 contributions still inspires the emergence of new Black intellectuals from peripheral neighborhoods, such as Marcelle Leal, a Black woman raised in Rio de Janeiro\u2019s <\/span>North Zone<\/span><\/a> neighborhood of Bento Ribeiro<\/a><\/span>, a scholar on Carolina Maria de Jesus<\/a><\/span> and PhD in Literary Theory from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). She studies the <\/span>writer’s travels<\/span><\/a> in South America, as well as <\/span>\u200b\u200bfeminism<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Black Brazilian literature<\/span><\/a>. According to Leal, just as Carolina Maria de Jesus demonstrates in her work: \u201cracism, extreme poverty, and inequality cannot be normalized.\u201d For Leal, this is one of the most valuable contributions by de Jesus, the most consequential author on Brazilian socioeconomic thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because of her impact, the Carolina Maria de Jesus: Brazil for Brazilians<\/i><\/a> exhibition was opened to the public in late 2023 at the Rio Art Museum (MAR). The exhibition told the story of the writer and how her work forever changed Brazil.<\/p>\n

Her best-known book, Quarto de Despejo<\/em> (published in English as Child of the Dark<\/em><\/a> and considered a literary classic), has been translated into 13 languages<\/a>. The book features her experiences as a Black woman living in a favela dealing with the challenges<\/a> she faced in supporting her family, and her worldview.<\/p>\n

“Child of the Dark<\/em> is a work that allows us to understand Brazil from the perspective of those who experience the country in its most vivid capacity.” \u2014 Marcelle Leal<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Brazilian<\/a>
Brazilian writer Carolina Maria de Jesus during a book signing for the launch of her book Child of the Dark<\/span><\/i> in a S\u00e3o Paulo bookstore on Rua Marconi, September 9, 1960. Photo: UH Archive\/Folhapress<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Socioeconomic Lessons From Carolina Maria de Jesus<\/h3>\n

“Unfortunately, racism follows her to this day. We must remember that there is still inadequate organization and preservation of her writings. Some of her original works are still scattered around the world or under the tutelage of people who improperly appropriate her collection of works. Society insists on determining the place it reserves for Black people, but, in individual and collective movements, there are resistances and subversions, just like Carolina.” \u2014 Marcelle Leal<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Carolina<\/a>
Carolina Maria de Jesus with her children<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are still many Carolinas<\/a> throughout Brazil: Black favela mothers, subjected to a burdensome, centuries-long culture that is conditioned to limit their place in society. These women are forced to fight for public policies<\/a> that support them, despite being the largest demographic<\/a> and constituting the economic and social foundation<\/a> of Brazil.<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, the world is the way the whites want it. I\u2019m not white, so I don\u2019t have anything to do with this disorganized world.\u201d\u00a0 \u2014 Child of the Dark<\/em>, by Carolina Maria de Jesus, translation by David St. Clair<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Leal highlights an excerpt from Carolina Maria de Jesus\u2019 writing in which she analyzes her own suffering as a woman that is Black, impoverished, and a single mother: \u201cI put the sack on my head and the weight of Vera Eunice in my arms. Sometimes it makes me angry. Then I get ahold of myself. She\u2019s not guilty because she\u2019s in this world,\u201d says the author in her book. An analytical account that is not only about her situation but about millions of Brazilian women like her, who come alive through her words.<\/span><\/p>\n

Carolina Maria de Jesus’ perception\u2014stemming from her position as a Black woman and mother living in a favela\u2014renders her work to this day one of the most substantial theoretical frameworks available on Brazilian society and Black women. Half a century after Brazil formally abolished slavery<\/a>, written in the 1930s, her anthology still educates a nation about the plight of Black women and men: the ills of material poverty, hunger, their denied right to housing, as well as the resilience, intellect, and strength of the Afro-Diasporic woman. In sum, Carolina Maria de Jesus educates Brazilians about Brazil<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\n

Poor Innocent<\/h3>\n

A mother wanders, oppressed,
\nEyes cast low,
\nHow can life progress,
\nIn this racial undertow…<\/p>\n

She casts a glance around,
\nThen once again to the ground,
\nAll the while gently caressing,
\nThe child in her arms, her sweet blessing.<\/p>\n

Poor woman, where do you go?
\nThis cruel fate, it hurts you so
\nI search for papa
\nMy good friend from before…<\/p>\n

All my life I roam in lament
\nMy existence, a constant struggle
\nI pray to God, so good and clement
\nFor only he will bother…<\/p>\n

Where do we go, my boy?
\nNo roof above, no bread to enjoy.
\nYour father’s absence, a cruel ploy,
\nLeaving you alone, my precious joy…<\/p>\n

Why, child, must you endure such pain?
\nWhen among the sinless, you remain.
\nIf death were to call my name,
\nYou’d be left alone, helpless, and shamed.<\/p>\n

Without someone to watch over your path,
\nWith affection and sacrifices,
\nYou will fall into the traps,
\nThat are life’s worst vices.<\/p>\n

Still wandering, the mother,
\nAs her mind these thoughts smother
\nLooks at her child and in tears, she exclaims:
\npoor innocent!<\/p>\n

\u2014 Personal Anthology<\/a>, Carolina Maria de Jesus [No official English translation found; poem translated by Claudia Guimar\u00e3es for RioOnWatch<\/em>]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Leal emphasizes the need to <\/span>support Black and favela mothers through legislation<\/span><\/a>, public policy, and budgetary measures. The scholar believes we must offer spaces in public daycare centers, and establish facilities to welcome and care for the children of parents who <\/span>work or study<\/span><\/a> outside regular daycare hours, as proposed in the <\/span>Owl Space Law<\/span><\/a> by <\/span>Marielle Franco<\/span><\/a>, a Black councilwoman born and raised in Rio’s favelas who was the victim of a political assassination six years ago<\/span>. These measures would complement <\/span>conditional cash transfer social programs<\/span><\/a> like Bolsa Familia <\/span>and efforts to <\/span>increase access<\/span><\/a> to schools, universities, and the job market in a way that upholds their dignity. Furthermore, it is essential that Black intellectuals, like Carolina Maria de Jesus, <\/span>are read<\/span><\/a> and studied across Brazil.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Carolina<\/a>
Carolina Maria de Jesus, one of Brazil\u2019s greatest historic intellectuals.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The contributions made by the writer<\/a> to the ongoing racial and socioeconomic debate in Brazil are quite significant.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSocial vulnerability needs to be combated by public authorities and not just used as fodder for charity from the private sector. Carolina Maria de Jesus brings to the forefront of the debate the collective shadows that, over many years, Brazil insisted on sweeping under the rug. Socioeconomic discussions are present in her work, as described in her diaries, depicting the city as the living room and the favela as the ‘junk room,’ where racial issues are also intertwined. Furthermore, she exposes the situation of the country’s Black community.\u201d \u2014 Marcelle Leal<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

According to Leal, though de Jesus made significant contributions to Brazil, the sad reality of her literary erasure<\/a> is due to racism, classism, and sexism in the publishing world, which is primarily composed of white, middle-class men with university degrees, who are blind to its importance.<\/p>\n

\u201c[It’s necessary] to rework these limits so that this art is not restricted within the domain of a minority but is composed in a broad, inclusive, and pluralistic manner. The challenge lies not only in production but also in cultivating a readership and technical expertise in addition to dissemination. I insist, once again, on fighting for policies that grant access to education and culture, as well as financial support, because these resources are still concentrated in the hands of a few and are fundamental to making the movement happen. We’ve made progress compared to decades ago, but there’s still a lot to achieve.\u201d \u2014 Marcelle Leal<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

At the end of the interview, Marcelle Leal quotes an untitled poem by de Jesus, published as the prologue to the chapter \u201cDiaries in the Junk Room\u201d in the book The Unedited Diaries of Carolina Maria de Jesus<\/em><\/a> (originally published in Portuguese as Meu Estranho Di\u00e1rio<\/em><\/a>). According to the scholar, this excerpt is foundational, as it clearly states de Jesus’ thoughts on race, racism, and anti-racism, in addition to summarizing Black people\u2019s social position in post-abolition Brazil.<\/p>\n

\n

Untitled<\/h3>\n

When they saw me many fled
\nSupposing I took no note,
\nOthers asked to have a read,
\nAt the verses that I wrote.<\/p>\n

It was paper that I collected
\nTo finance my living needs.
\nIn the garbage I resurrected
\nMany books for me to read.
\nSo many things I wished to do
\nBut prejudice checked my tracks
\nIf I die I want to be born anew
\nIn a country run by Blacks.<\/p>\n

Farewell, Goodbye! I am going to die!
\nAnd these verses I leave to my country
\nIf I have the right to be once more alive
\nWith happy Blacks I will find me.<\/p>\n

\u2014 The Unedited Diaries of Carolina Maria de Jesus<\/em>, organized by Robert M. Levine and Jos\u00e9 Carlos Sebe Bom Meihy; translated by Nany Naro and Cristina Mehrtens<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

About the author: Igor Soares<\/a> is a journalist with a degree from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). He is currently a homepage writer for Portal iG, contributes to #Colabora, and works as a freelancer. He has experience in covering cities, human rights, and public security, having previously worked at Estad\u00e3o and produced reports for Folha de S\u00e3o Paulo.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Support\u00a0RioOnWatch\u2019s tireless, critical and cutting-edge hyperlocal journalism, online community organizing meetings, and direct support to favelas\u00a0by clicking here<\/a>.<\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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