Brazil black kit take a stand against racism DW 6/16/2023

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“I was shocked when I saw the scenes in Spain,” says Allan Pevirguladez, a literary scholar and musician from Rio de Janeiro who consults with the Vinicius Junior Institute on anti-racist education. The foundation supports public schools in Brazil in the development of new teaching and learning models.

Like many Afro-Brazilians, Pevirguladez had to watch Brazil international Vinicius Junior being insulted and abused by almost an entire stadium during a Real Madrid away game in Valencia.

A referee talks to Vinicius Junior after being the victim of racist chanting in Valencia Image: Alberto Saiz/AP/picture alliance

It was not the first time. The case touches the country because Vinicius Junior is considered “one of them”, a young man who escaped life in a favela on his own, with his talent and his quality. He is therefore someone with whom people can identify because they see themselves in him. This is why the recent racist attacks against him have sparked wide debate, especially within the Afro-Brazilian community.

“It’s an issue that today has unprecedented power,” Pevriguladez told DW.

Why does Brazil wear black jerseys?

This power is also visible in a landmark decision by the Brazilian Football Association (CBF). The “Selecao”, the national team famous for its yellow and blue jerseys, will wear an all-black jersey on Saturday in an international friendly match against Guinea in Barcelona, ​​Spain, a first in the history of Brazilian football.

Brazil’s shirt has been shrouded in controversy in recent years, when then far-right president Jair Bolsonaro ‘hijacked’ the national shirt for himself and his movement. The initiative is a significant departure from tradition and is part of a series of campaigns that the federation has organized to combat racism.

A supporter of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro dons the national team’s iconic yellow kit Image: Tobias Kufer/DWRacism ‘a form of violence’

“Football is one of the most important languages ​​in the world,” says Bruno Candido Sankofa, a lawyer involved in the Afro-Brazilian movement “Movimento Negro” in Rio de Janeiro.

Candido Sankofa, who helps victims of racist violence or discrimination, was among those who organized a solidarity demonstration in Sao Goncalo, municipality of Rio de Janeiro and birthplace of Vinicius Junior.

“It’s not just racial slurs,” the lawyer told DW. “It’s a form of violence that has consequences, like assault and mental illness.”

And Vinicius Junior, he says, also represents a group of people who come from places where Afro-Brazilians are constantly subjected to violence and structural racism, and are even killed. For him, the decision to play in the black kit is an important first step.

“It’s not football, it’s racism!” Rio de Janeiro protesters show solidarity with Vinicius JuniorImage: Silvia Izquierdo/AP/picture alliance

“When I talk about prevention, I’m talking about a country that has yet to achieve material rights for these historically, politically, economically, and materially disadvantaged people. And we’re starting to say through the most importance of football and the national team that this is an important issue that needs to be resolved,” said Candido Sankova.

What the Brazilian government did

A black jersey, however, could only be the start according to Candido Sankofa who adds that the CBF must involve civil society in the debate on the fight against racism in sport.

“That’s why I think the position of the national team is very important. It will say through football what words have not yet managed to say,” he said.

Anielle Franco, Brazil’s Minister for Ethnic Equality, recently launched an anti-racism agreement with Spain.

“We followed closely what happened in the case of Vinicius Junior, and it was not only this year, rather recurring cases,” the minister told DW.

The action of the CBF is welcome, says Franco. “But we also need effective public policy.” This is why the new ministry and the national and international expression against racism is an important step, she said.

Anielle Franco set up anti-racism initiatives in Spain after racist incidents involving Vinicius JuniorImage: Ricardo Stuckert/secom

The Rio de Janeiro parliament also took action after the incidents involving Vinicius Junior in Spain. It passed a bill this week that allows football matches to be suspended or canceled in cases of racism. Allan Pevriguladez considers it the responsibility of the European Football Confederation (UEFA) to take similar measures.

“It can’t just be the Spanish league [La Liga] it’s responsible,” he said. “UEFA must come together and take the necessary measures, like what the Brazilian government did in Rio de Janeiro, by punishing clubs and fans.”

This article has been translated from German. Ramona Samuel contributed to this story.

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