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Judi Lynn

(160,217 posts)
Tue Jun 16, 2020, 01:00 AM Jun 2020

Push for Removal of Statues in SP Sparks Debate on History 'Blackout'

Black and indigenous movements push the city to diversify its narratives

15.jun.2020 14h33

João Gabriel
SÃO PAULO

In the first half of the 19th century, Brazil's expeditioners--explorers, adventurers, slavers, and fortune hunters—came to symbolize progress in the city of São Paulo. Now the city is filled with monuments honoring the men.

But some people see these monuments as representing a series of violence committed since 1500 against mainly indigenous peoples and the black population.

Protest movements around the world questioning statues that exalt colonial or slave leaders, and the echo of these calls for the withdrawal or resignification of such symbols is gaining traction in Brazil.

In São Paulo, the construction of the pioneering hero was mainly due to the celebration of the city's fourth centennial mid-20th century, further adding to a history of bravery and opposition to the Portuguese crown.



Borba Gato (Foto: Zanone Fraissat/Folhapress.

More:
https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/es/saopaulo/2020/06/push-for-removal-of-statues-in-sp-sparks-debate-on-history-blackout.shtml?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsen

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