"Don't let them make you believe that our role is to attract foreign tourists to the country by playing the role of the mulatto woman."
--Yzalú, Brazilian musician
Promotional ads hyper-sexualizing the bodies of black women have just started airing, ahead of Rio de Janeiro's Carnival, which will kick off on February 5.
This is the moment I ask myself if we will ever be able to bring up something other than the "Mulata Globeleza" when we address media depiction of black women.
That is the reference we've been using since 1993, when the Globo TV network created this character to promote its Carnival transmission.
It doesn't take much to realize that this character's image contributes significantly to the hypersexualization of black women's body, and bolsters stereotypes.
I would really like to believe that we are living a new reality where black women are empowered.
Anyone capable of the most basic critical thinking should know that by now.
This wiggling, samba dancing mulatto woman became a hit, stirring the imagination of millions of Brazilians. She was created by Hans Donner, a German designer who, coincidentally, is married to Valéria Valenssa, the first "Globeleza." Valenssa played the role for over a decade.
She continued to play the role even when she became pregnant, but in 2005, she was replaced by Giane Carvalho.
From then on, three other actresses played the role: Aline Prado, Nayara Justino and Erika Moura.
I would really like to believe that we are living a new reality where black women are empowered, and where there is resistance to stereotypes in mainstream culture.
The year 2015 was very special for black women, thanks to the first edition of the Black Women's March, representing the daily struggle against racism, sexism and eurocentrism, as well as demonstrating the strong presence of black women in the country.
Sadly, however, the Brazilian media still surprises us by showing the same old images of black women playing the same old roles. And Carnival remains the pinnacle of this phenomenon.
Amidst all the beauty and sophistication of Carnival, "Globeleza" insists on representing black women as mere sex objects.
And when we consider the reality of the Brazilian population, we realize how perverse this is.
Black women represent the majority of domestic workers and of women prisoners in Brazil. They suffer from obstetric violence, and they are a minority in public universities and in Congress.
And what does the Globo TV network and its "Mulata Globeleza" character insist on showing us?
- That "Globeleza" is nothing but a collection of stereotypes.
"Globeleza" is a naked black woman, dancing provocatively, silently, connecting with the viewer only through the image of her body. It is impossible to watch one of her vignettes without realizing that it is not about the woman Valéria Valenssa. Instead, it is only about her body, her sensuality and her sexuality. "Globeleza" is just a body that dances the samba sexually, nothing else.
That it is OK to be called "Mulata Globeleza."The term "mulata" (mulatto woman) is extremely violent. It came from the word Mula (Mule), which refers to the cross between a donkey and a mare; a cross-bred and barren animal. During slavery, around the 16th century, the word was used to refer to children born to Portuguese white men and black slaves. Although many people today don't feel uncomfortable with the use of this term, I believe that, considering the condition of the black Brazilian population, especially black women, such derogatory terms worsen the living conditions of such people.
That "Globeleza" is not a popular icon, but a product created by Globo TV network.Brazilian pop culture is extremely rich. There are several popular icons that bear cultural significance and that could easily be part of Carnival imagery. The "Mulata Globeleza," however, doesn't come from pop culture. It is the creation of the German-born Brazilian designer Hans Donner. And yet, it is clearly the image many foreigners have of Brazil. The problem is the fact that we passively accept that image.
That the naked body of black women is always available to men's pleasure. A naked black woman with only a few colored paint strokes to cover her sexual organs, always smiling and dancing. This image is closer to the sexual desire of European white men than to the sincere expression of happiness during Carnival. The image created by Hans Donner is firmly rooted in the history of colonial Brazil. Think about it: in colonial Brazil, black women were separated from their families and forced to work in the farmhouses of their owners, and forced to have sexual intercourse with their masters. "Globeleza" is a symbol of the injustice that took place in Brazilian history, and that still takes place today.
That the beauty of black women is only recognized during Carnival. It is a fact... During Carnival, everyone wants to be like her, to dance like her and to have the attitude of a real samba dancer. In February, the black woman is considered a role model. During the rest of the year, though, the situation changes. They often play secondary roles in soap-operas, never the main characters. They have no place in Brazilian movies or TV shows. When they appear in comedy shows, such as
Zorra Total, they are ridiculed. According to the logic of Brazilian TV channels, black women are only beautiful during Carnival; the rest of the year, as if by magic, they are no longer beautiful.
That the "Mulata Globeleza" sets the standard for black women. Thin, tall, slender, big breasts, big butt, curly hair with a few blonde locks, and lighter skin. That is the acceptable standard for a black woman (even if only as a sex object). But most black women don't fit that standard. Fat black women with darker skin, thicker lips, stronger features, who cannot dance the samba or are not willing to be regarded merely as sex objects, have no place in the media.
That the "Mulata Globeleza" can cause depression.This point is connected to the previous one. In 2014, the actress Nayara Justino was elected "Globeleza" by popular vote. But the general public didn't receive her very well, mainly due to the fact that her skin was darker than that of previous actresses. When the news came out that Globo network would replace her, several Internet users posted racist comments about her skin color. Consequently, she was overcome with depression. This disease also befell Valeria Valenssa when she knew she would be replaced in 2005. After her pregnancy, her body changed significantly, and she believed that was the reason she had been replaced.
This post was originally published on HuffPost Brazil. It has been translated into English and edited for clarity.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.