The 2014 FIFA World Cup is still going strong! Brazil forward Neymar has been put up as the face of the World Cup in his home country. He also built up a big name for himself when it comes to his soccer talent. But many people also have noticed that he’s evolved into a totally different person physically. Especially with the World Cup being labeled as the 2014 “anti-racism World Cup”, it seems like the black identity and racism still collide in Brazil.
The World Cup was supposed to show Brazil's cultural diversity. The government hoped to use the World Cup to showcase the country's cultural diversity and thriving democracy, but all it did was to highlight the deep-rooted prejudices and inequalities in this nation of 200 million where 60% of the population is black or mixed.
Brazilians have always had a weird attitude towards race. The darker a person is in Brazil, the more racism she or he is going to suffer. Light-skinned black people don’t identify as black most of the time. When asked if Neymar, had ever been a victim of racism four years ago, he answered; "Never. Neither inside nor outside the field. Because I'm not black, right?"
It is clear that Neymar, is a person of color, and has two parents who are from Afro-Brazilian lineage, but it’s his most recent looks that have people wondering if he’s submitting to the colorism issues in Brazil.
Since he has been straightening and coloring his hair blonde, Neymar has received more endorsements from various companies in his country.
Also, a woman from São Paulo initiated an online petition campaign to encourage the “black blond” baller to start wearing his hair in its natural state again. Her reasoning? Her 4-year-old black son wanted to emulate Neymar. Hmmm, too bad.
Without Neymar having proclaimed himself to be black, it’s a little perplexing to know how Neymar sees things in terms of race. Did Neymar felt the need to change his looks in order to become more accepted by his own country or could any of his current endorsements deals have been possible if he looked like the young black boy he used to be?
Discuss below......
This makes me sick
ReplyDeleteI don't think that Neymar really thinks he's white. I've read several articles about the mestizajem in Brazil and the racism involved. The people do know black from white. Most of them agrees that anyone who doesn't looks white is black and qualify themself as black. But they have several terms they use to qualify their skintone and that's the difference. I'm not saying that there isn't racism etc. in Brazil. Lots of people qualify theirself lighter than they probably are, and I think that that's what Neymar meant by saying that he was not black.. Like he is not preto/negro but more mulato/moreno or something like that.. He was thinking in skintone rather than ethnicity.
ReplyDeleteThat's the difference.
Brazil is ripe with issues when it comes to colorism and racism....
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion its kinda harsh to blame someone for changing their natural hair textures and considering it an act of ‘heritage rejection’...It’s like criticizing Koreans for taking plastic surgery to get double eyelid.
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent article of why Neymar’s choice of hairstyle is a big sign in his denial of his African heritage. It is still a big problem in Brazil... and I hope they will realize it too!
ReplyDeleteLet him just be himself
ReplyDelete