Black Intellectual Production in Brazil

Contributions of Beatriz Nascimento and Lélia Gonzalez

Abstract

This study analyzes the contributions of Black Brazilian intellectuals Beatriz Nascimento and Lélia Gonzalez to racial studies in Brazil, aiming to value national knowledge and combat the epistemicide of Black knowledge. The research emphasizes the relevance of these authors and their studies, which also offered intersectional perspectives on race, class, and gender, essential for understanding Brazilian social dynamics. The methodology is based on a bibliographic analysis of the works of Nascimento and Gonzalez, produced between the 1970s and 1990s. These authors propose a decolonial reading of racial and social relations, incorporating experiences from the Brazilian Black movement, which remain highly relevant today. The results highlight the pertinence of their analyses, which directly engage with the specificities of the Brazilian context, offering more appropriate solutions and reflections than imported theories. Moreover, their writings strengthen the field of racial studies, challenging the intellectual subordination historically imposed on the Black population. The study concludes that recovering and valuing the legacy of these authors is crucial to deepening the racial debate in Brazil, confronting both denialism and persistent inequalities. The research reaffirms the need to prioritize local knowledge, which better reflects the complexity of the Brazilian reality and helps to overcome the historical devaluation of Black intellectuals.