Black Women of Brazil

3/21/2019 “Preto” or “Negro”? In Portuguese both mean ‘black’, but which term should be used to define black people?
people? Ghanaian-Brazilian man’s video on the to…
Black Women of Brazil

The site dedicated to Brazilian women of African descent
“Preto” or “Negro”? In Portuguese both mean

‘black’, but which term should be used to define
black people? Ghanaian-Brazilian man’s video on
the topic goes viral
Note from BW of Brazil: In director Spike Lee’s 1992 epic film about the legendary human rights activist
Malcolm X, there was an important scene in which the convict then known as Malcolm Little learned how racism
could even influence words and terms in the English language. As Malcolm began making his transition to
conscious black man, he soon realized how terms such as “blackmail”, “blackballed”, “black sheep” and many
others with negative connotations were connected to the term black. He wondered, why did the “white man’s
dictionary” associate terms such as ‘evil’, ‘wicked’ and ‘dirty’ to blackness while terms such as ‘pure, ‘honest’, an
‘square-dealing’ were associated with whiteness. Needless, the same associations apply to negritude and
branquidade (whiteness) in Brazil.
https://web.archive.org/web/20180107013526/https://blackwomenofbrazil.co/2016/08/03/preto-or-negro-in-portuguese-both-mean-black-but-which-term-should-be-u… 1/9
3/21/2019 “Preto” or “Negro”? In Portuguese both mean ‘black’, but which term should be used to define black people? Ghanaian-Brazilian man’s video on the to…
Later in his years as a leading voice in the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X would lead the way in the promotion of the
usage of the term ‘black’ instead of the then popular term used to classify Americans of African descent, ‘negro’.
For Malcolm,’negro’ referred to “Uncle Toms”, meaning passive people of color who would remain obedient to the
rules of white supremacy and thereby helping to keep them “in their place”. Over the course of several decades,
Americans of African descent would transition from the terms ‘colored’ to ‘negro’ to ‘black’ and ‘Afro-American’
and finally to the current term ‘African-American’. During the transition from ‘negro’ to ‘black’ there were many
within the population who vehemently rejected defining themselves as ‘blacks’. According to some, ‘black’ was
synonymous with being a ‘rabble-rouser’ or a ‘troublemaker’, which they didn’t wish to be and, as such, in some
ways proved Malcolm X’s point.
In Brazil, there has been a similar evolution, although with subtle differences. As has been discussed in various
posts here dealing with racial classification, Brazilians of African descent have long attempted to distance
themselves from terms such as ‘preto’ or ‘negro’, both of which mean black. Decades ago, and for some still today,
these terms were/are deemed offensive and to be avoided at all cost. Terms such as ‘moreno’ or ‘mulato’ not only
signified that one was a product of some degree of racial mixture, but also denoted people who lacked a sense of
politicized racial consciousness. Over the course of several decades, this has changed dramatically, as today millions
of Brazilians of African descent proudly define themselves as negros and negras, signifying a rising black
consciousness movement. But due the official choices of race/color on the official Brazilian census form, it’s difficult
to say how many Brazilians really define themselves as negros/negras.
Generally, within Afro-Brazilian activists circles, the terms negro (masculine) and negra (feminine) are the terms
that the population of African descent should utilize to define themselves in a racial sense instead of the terms preto
or preta, which were thought to define the actual color black as in reference to black and white (preto e branco)
films. Within the movement, being black is essentially a political position in which one assumes a black racial
identity. But as many Brazilians use the terms interchangeably, is there any difference between the two terms?
University of São Paulo social anthropologist Lilia Moritz Schwarcz (2012) provided a clue as to how the terms
preto and negro were seen during the slavery era. The term negro made reference to the rebellious, disobedient
slave, while preto referred to a loyal captive. This can be noted in a news story featured in the Correio Paulistano
(The São Paulo Post) in 1886.
“One particular day, the black João Congo was quietly working on his master’s farm when he noted that two
fugitive negros were approaching, who soon said – ‘Leave this life behind, preto velho (old black), it’s not for you’ to
which the loyal preto replied – ‘I’m not going to go wandering about here and there like some runaway negro.’
Irritated, the negros retorted – ‘Die, then, you preto covarde (black coward).’�?
As we see, in the context of Brazilian terminology and folklore, the ‘preto velho’ refers to the old, docile, submissive
folkloric figure somewhat similar to the Uncle Tom that Malcolm X referred to while negro was associated with the
runaway, disobedient and possible revolutionary.
The question over which term should be utilized continues today and was recently brought to the forefront after the
stir created by a video by a Ghanaian man who has lived in Brazil for 30 years. The Ghanaian man, Nabby Clifford,
prefers the term ‘preto’ and he is not the only one. While negro is still the more popular term used to organize and
promote specifically black events throughout Brazil, preto still remains quite common. Every year in São Paulo,
thousands of Afro-Brazilians flock to the year’s most popular cultural event, Feira PretaFeira Preta. Last week, we
featured a story about three black women who provoked controversy for organizing a summer camp for black
children. The group calls itself Das Pretas, meaning “of the black women”. We also have the slogan “Poder Para o
Povo Preto”, meaning ‘power for the black people’ and various bloggers and vloggers such as Gabi Oliveira
(DiPretas) who use the term preta in the names of their groups or monikers.
Clifford’s video on the difference between ‘preto’ and ‘negro’ went viral and led to debate
Before delving into the question more in terms of Nabby Clifford’s opinion on the topic, I consulted with the
historian Kwame Asafo Nyansafo Atunda, administrator of the black men’s group/social network Homens Pretos
(black men). Asked why he named the group Homens Pretos instead of Homens Negros, Atunda responded:
“The term ‘negro’ beyond all the negative and pejorative content is not and never was a classification
that Africans gave themselves; Kemet (Antigo Egito/Ancient Egypt) denominated themselves as pretos
and also the Anunnakis called themselves cabeças pretas (black heads), that is, we have to self-define
ourselves and terms that have no racist, derogatory origins. Because of this we are homens pretos and
mulheres pretas (black women).”
With that said, let’s take a look at a few comments from the video that stirred up the debate once again…If you
understand Portuguese check out the full video and the bottom of this article.
Nabby Clifford video: ‘Negro or Preto?’

“Preto” or “negro”? The viral video that raised a semantic debate
By Marcos Sacramento with additional information courtesy of Hypeness
What is the correct word to refer to, say, afrodescendentes (African descendants) in Brazil, “preto” or
“negro”? While the former is used routinely, including on official and academic documents, for musician
and Ghanaian activist living in Brazil, Nabby Clifford “preto” is the only acceptable term.
Clifford is known as an ambassador of reggae in Brazil. Born in Ghana, the musician arrived here in
1983, and since then has become one of the leading names in the divulging of Reggae in Brazilian lands
and ears.
In a recent video, however, Nabby decided to speak not just about this rhythm, but about something that
is not only directly linked to the profound questions of reggae, but also to its cultural identity itself:
Nabby recognizes himself not as ‘negro’ but as ‘preto’.
“One country, Brazil, uses words such as lista negra (blacklist), dia negro (black day), magic negra (black
magic), câmbio negro (black trade), vala negra (black grave), mercado negro (black market), peste negra (black
plague), buraco negro (black hole), ovelha negra (black sheep), fome negra (black hunger), humor negro (black
humor), seu passado negro (his dark past), future negro (black future). You shouldn’t call a child negro (…).
Get the Portuguese language dictionary, it is written, negro means unhappy, damned. When valuing
something the Brazilian doesn’t say negro, he says preto.”
“He doesn’t eat feijão negro (black beans), he eats feijão preto, his car is not a carro negro, his car is carro
preto, he doesn’t drink café negro, he drinks café preto (black coffee), hunger is negra, when you win the
lottery, you win nota preta (big bucks/lot of money). If branco (white) is not negative, preto is also not
negative (1).
But negro no, negro is a 100% negative word, and puts you back, it causes death, causes misery, diseases.
Since the world has changed, let’s change our language too,�? says Clifford, in a video that has nearly
six million views on the TupiVox Facebook page.
The impact of the video sparked compliments but also questions about which word would be more
appropriate.
A quick search on racial militancy illustrates permits one to see that the term “negro” is widely used.
Collectives and organized groups use the word in their names and in texts. On the other hand, the use of
“preto” is increasing, although the word sounds strange to those outside of militancy.
In search of more consistent answers, I turned to my friend and activist Mirtes Santos, of the Coletivo
Negrada (Blackened Collective). “Negros who are not in the movement and don’t understand what
Clifford said repudiate ‘preto’ because the word has always been used as a way to attack identidade negra
(black identity). The term preto is being reframed,” explains Mirtes.
However, this process doesn’t imply the repulsion to the word “negro” in the way that the Americans
did with “nigger”. The “n-word” as they call it, was used routinely, but with the progress of the
struggles of the civil rights movement it was deconstructed to the point of becoming taboo.
Maybe this didn’t happen in Brazil, to the chagrin of Clifford. The most likely is that the two words co-
exist, but without the negative meaning that structural racism incrusted upon it.
Even expressions like “dia de preto�? (black day), “coisa de preto�? (black thing) or “a coisa está
preta�? (the thing/situation is black) show that the word “preto” can indeed be used to perpetuate
racist concepts.
And while the word is reframed and has its empowering sense, it will depend on the context in order to
convey the full message, as shown by these two tweets that I found will thinking about the text and
seeing Lewis Hamilton win the GP da Alemanha (German Grand Prix).
“And another story of a preto who wins! Parabéns Lewis Hamilton (Congratulations Lewis Hamilton)…
“; “Sincerely I’ve never seen such a charming preto, you must be the only one also, right .. Lewis
Hamilton”
The first is an example of the inoffensive and empowering use of “preto�?. The second didn’t even need
pejorative terms to overflow with racism (2).
Sorry, the Wayback Machine does not have this video (ZD4JAaed7jY)
archived/indexed.
Source: DCM, Hypeness, Schwarcz, Lilia Moritz. Nem preto nem branco, muito pelo contrário. Cor e raça na
sociabilidade brasileira. São Paulo: Claro Enigma, 2012.
Note
1. Although Clifford’s opinion is well-taken, we must also recognize when the terms preto/preta are
used in the context of the racial insult as seen here or here.
2. This point once again shows that a term can be used in an affectionate, non-offensive manner as well
as in a very offensive manner depending on how the word is verbalized and the context of the
situation. We’ve previously explored this topic in reference to the term ‘neguinha’.See here and here.
7 comments on ““Preto” or “Negro”? In Portuguese both mean

‘black’, but which term should be used to define black people?
Ghanaian-Brazilian man’s video on the topic goes viral”
Amon
August 4, 2016
As a black American man this topic has always been extremely confusing to me. Language and
culture differences definitely exponentiate the confusion. From my experiences most Black Brazilians
will get very offended if you call them preto/preta unless you are a close family or close friend. They
preferred to be called negro/negra and or nego/nega. However if you call a black woman a
“neguinha” and you don’t know her, she will get pissed. But “negrinha” is perfectly fine. To me as
someone who understands conversational portuguese negrinha and neguinha are the exact same
word!!
For Black men the word negao is usually used to refer to each other but white men and even japanese
men will use this word among their friends. I have even seen white brazilian women call each other
negao in a joking manner. From my experiences, negao seems to be the portuguese translation for
“nigga”. because among black Americans “nigga” is usually reserved for black men.
Ultimately we must put these things in the context of language and culture. In Spanish speaking
countries like Colombia and Venezuela Black people refer to themselves as “Moreno/Morena” but in
Brazil these terms are more offensive to black people who have knowledge of self. In America, Negro
is the same as Nigger simillar to criolo/criola but Black is perfectly fine unless you step into a circle
with a bunch of Moors(lol).
Honestly I think we should all just be Africans because that is the race that we come from. The day I
called a sister “Africinha” and she was delighted with the concept.
Reply
Andrea
August 10, 2016
I am from the US and don’t know anyone who is offended by black. African American really just
referrs to certain blacks of US African slave ancestry. Some people are not that bright though to
understand that not all blacks are African-American. I have to explain that you actually can’t be
African-American if you are not American but you can be black. As for people being offended by
“negro” I think that’s dumb if you don’t have a problem with black. I’m a Spanish speaker and this is
our word for black just like Portuguse. I say soy negra. It means black. Whatever’s
Reply
gatasnegrasbrasileiras
August 11, 2016
Of course we respect all opinions so you are entitled to yours, but I wonder if you might be
missing part of the point of the article. The man featured in the post noticed how it seems that in
Portuguese, the terms ‘negro’ and ‘preto’ are used in negative and positive contexts, respectively.
Historically, as noted in the post, Africans never called themselves ‘negros’. And finally, the term
‘negro’ is derived from the term ‘necro’ which means dead! Something to think about…
Reply
Realist
August 23, 2016
Wrong! The term “negro” is derived from the Latin adjective “niger-a-um” meaning black. The
Rio Negro in Amazonia certainly isn’t dead. On the US scene, as far as I am concerned, the
word “nigga” is self-depreciating and unfortunately due to the influence of US mass media it
has spread through the English-speaking world. Seems to me that preto would be more
acceptable in Brazil mainly because only 8% of the population would be indistinguishable

from most West Africans.
Nabby and Atunda are producing weak arguments. Preto is not a word that Ancient
Egyptians would have used (what nonsense). It is a purely Portuguese word which also has
negative implications as pointed out elsewhere. All I know is that I am “negro” but don’t call
me “negao” even if you love me.
Lewis "Lew" Chapman

August 18, 2016
I am considering moving to Bahia from Atlanta, GA. What should I be reading on the issues there?
Where to live etc. I am African-American (Afrocentric).
Reply
gatasnegrasbrasileiras
August 19, 2016
Hey there Lew!!
Good to hear from you!

Tell me, why are considering moving to Bahia? Have you ever been there? Been to other cities in
Brazil?
Well, Bahia is quite interesting. It’s one of the blackest states in Brazil but has almost NO black
power!
You’ve find a lot of great cultural organizations there!
There’s a lot of things I would ask to know of your intentions, your area of work, etc.
Please send an e-mail to gatasnegrasbrasileiras@gmail.com and we’ll talk more!
Reply
Realist
August 23, 2016
This is what you need to look at on a regular basis

https://www.facebook.com/BlackBrazilNews/?pnref=story
Reply
This entry was posted on August 3, 2016 by gatasnegrasbrasileiras in African immigrants, Afro
Brazilians, Uncategorized and tagged black, negro, preto, racial, racial classification, racial identity, racial
stereotypes, racial terminology.
https://wp.me/p1XDuf-bRy
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3/21/2019 “Preto” or “Negro”? In Portuguese both mean ‘black’, but which term should be used to deﬁne black people?

people? Ghanaian-Brazilian man’s video on the to…

Black Women of Brazil

“Preto” or “Negro”? In Portuguese both mean

Nabby Cliﬀord video: ‘Negro or Preto?’

By Marcos Sacramento with additional information courtesy of Hypeness

7 comments on ““Preto” or “Negro”? In Portuguese both mean

acceptable in Brazil mainly because only 8% of the population would be indistinguishable

Lewis "Lew" Chapman

Hey there Lew!!

Good to hear from you!

You’ve ﬁnd a lot of great cultural organizations there!

Please send an e-mail to gatasnegrasbrasileiras@gmail.com and we’ll talk more!

This is what you need to look at on a regular basis

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