An exploration of Confederate memorialization reveals complex dynamics beyond the United States, particularly in Brazil. Following the Civil War, many former Confederates migrated to Brazil, where slavery persisted. In São Paulo State, the cities of Santa Bárbara d’Oeste and Americana have historically celebrated their Confederate ties. However, the local memory surrounding this heritage is currently subject to significant change.
Recent efforts by local Black activists aim to reshape collective memories of the past while addressing the implications of these historical legacies. The activists are engaged in various anti-racist strategies, including direct dialogue, protests, legislative actions, and educational initiatives, to challenge entrenched understandings of racism linked to Brazil’s Confederate history.
Using a transnational critical race lens, the article highlights how Black community organizing in Brazil has reinterpreted elements of the U.S. racial experience to articulate contemporary issues of racism. By reframing local history through the lens of sociopolitical contexts, these movements articulate their experiences of racism across varied temporal and geographical landscapes.
