Young blacks and higher education in Brazil

disadvantages in access and the process of resilience

Abstract

This article presents the results of MSc research conducted at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, which analyzes the resilience of self-declared black quota students from public schools with good academic performance. Ten students were interviewed between 20 and 33 years, mostly residents of the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, from eight different courses. They joined in 2008 the system of quotas approved by Decision 134/2007 of the University Council/UFRGS. Here is a brief history of affirmative action policy and the importance of tensioning of representatives of the Black Movement, labor federations, political parties and society in an attempt to influence the formulation of public policies. We recognize the disadvantages that young blacks experience by accessing the higher education in this country and, through sensitive listening, we identify the process of resilience in their careers, despite the small number of black models in prominent positions This article presents the results of MSc research conducted at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, which analyzes the resilience of self-declared black quota students from public schools with good academic performance. Ten students were interviewed between 20 and 33 years, mostly residents of the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, from eight different courses. They joined in 2008 the system of quotas approved by Decision 134/2007 of the University Council/UFRGS. Here is a brief history of affirmative action policy and the importance of tensioning of representatives of the Black Movement, labor federations, political parties and society in an attempt to influence the formulation of public policies. We recognize the disadvantages that young blacks experience by accessing the higher education in this country and, through sensitive listening, we identify the process of resilience in their careers, despite the small number of black models in prominent positions