Socioeconomic status of Afro Brazilians in the favelas of Brazil Term Paper

Socioeconomic status of Afro Brazilians in the favelas of Brazil - Term Paper Example It was during this period that Brazil was known as one of the countries known for its involvement in the slave trade the slaves were Africans, which were the blacks. These slaves were to work for the whites both in their farms and in homes, and they were exposed to humiliating roles. These discoveries trace its origin to archeological finding resulting from recent excavation, which was carried out during the preparation for the Olympics and the world cup football competition (Stanley, 2005). These African slaves multiplied and thus increasing in number until they constituted to half the population of Brazil, which are mostly found in places meant for the poor in the society. Social segregation witnessed in Brazil was contributed by the delay in the abolishment of the slave trade in the country; Brazil was the last country in America to abolish the trade. Slavery in Brazil is, however, different from the rest of the US this is because they were treated differently. Brazilian slaves ha d an opportunity to exercise their freedom, which involve purchasing for their freedom whereby the already freed blacks will assist to free other slaves through the collection of money. Freed blacks who work in gold mines as gold miners and merchants in Ouro Preto would build expensive baroque churches as a way of thanking God for their excellent fortune. Brazilian government passed out a law in favor of children of slaves to be freed and allowed to attend schools just like those of the whites, which is contrary to what was happening in the US (Bernardo, 2008). Effects of the slave trade in Brazil and delay to abolish the slave trade in the country has contributed significantly in defining Brazilians status even in the recent society. Slave trade contributed in the definition of a given society in the recent time with such a society being characterized with firm social segregation seen in the society. Brazil is viewed in the recent times as a country characterized by inequality evid ent between the rich and the poor. The society consists of two groups that are the middle class and the bottom class, the white fall in the high class while the blacks are the bottom class (Carl, 2001). This form of segregation characterize Brazil in the recent times, which can be changed through advancing for affirmative action and instilling quotas during admission of both blacks and whites in public universities. Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro the capital city of Brazil, the city consist of two distinct classes that are the poor and the rich thus a preferred city of choice for the study of segregation. The rich and the poor in Rio de Janeiro live nearest to each other; the rich who are the whites live in magnificent homes while the blacks live in slums commonly referred to as Favela. The living style of these groups are different hence has contributed to distinction and discrimination, which is evident and has contributed to insecurity, theft and other cases of crimes usually perc eived to be performed by the blacks (Carl, 2001). Significant disparities exist between the rich and the poor in the city with one fifth of the inhabitants reside in slums (favelas), which consist of poorly regulated houses. The city of Rio has both blacks and the whites, but unlike other cities in America, the blacks are not given an opportunity to serve any position in leadership. Socioeconomic activities are significant in improving the living standards