A construção da identidade de estudantes afro-brasileiros/as e suas experiências acadêmico-universitárias em cursos de licenciatura da UFPel.

Abstract

This study is the result of a research developed in the Federal University of Pelotas – RS – Brazil (UFPel) in the Master Course in Education. The study approached the problem of the processes involved in the construction of the ethnicracial identity of 8 afro-Brazilian students originated from four different Bachelor of Education Courses of the UFPel, and tried to analyze the perception of these students towards identity inside the University during their formation as future teacher in the courses of Social Sciences, History, Mathematics and Biology. To analyze how this identity has been constructed, and the perception of the students themselves regarding the fact that they are black University students, the main source of data was an oral testimonial of the students that was obtained through semi-structured interviews in which the students spoke about their lives, both at home and at school, before and after their entrance at University. An interview with the Graduation Secretary of the UFPel was also done with the objective of collecting data about race/ethno in this community, and to analyze the relationship of this institution with the ethnic-racial subject, especially regarding the afro-descendent population. I still did a documental analysis in the enrolment forms of the students and in two newspapers to obtain data considered relevant. The research was performed having two main theoretical lines behind it, the Cultural Studies and the Critical Theories in Education, being used authors that have been studying such themes in Brazil. The study analyzes the talks of the students regarding their own experiences with prejudice, racism and discrimination that directly influenced and still influence their identities inside and outside the University environment, showing the way their lives is marked for being recognized as “different” because the color of their skin and the texture of their hair does not fit with the pattern established as standard by the society. The construction of the ethic-racial identity of the subjects of the study as afro-Brazilians is done throughout their experiences at home and at school, before and after their entrance at University. The perception of these students about the fact that they are black University students was amplified after this study, as a result of the fact that before they would see themselves as the minority and now they understand that they have a social and political commitment with themselves and also with the other afro/Brazilians that are still not at University. This study wanted to show, using the voice of the students themselves, the difficulties that people from social classes and ethnos considered as minorities have to face not to be excluded from the school system, and also to give voice to the ones that do not have the opportunity to express themselves.