“Mostre sua raça, declare sua cor”: o censo do MEC e a declaração de cor/raça em escolas públicas municipais

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is the understanding of how the color/race data collection process was developed among elementary school students in the municipal schools of Montes Claros / MG, located in the urban perimeter, from 2005 to 2008. It was verified the parameters used by those responsible for this collection to define the color/race category of the students, as well as to investigate whether the analysis of these data reveals the consistency of the information collected. We will take as object of this study the process of collecting color / race data from the MEC School Census, in order to raise questions that reinforce interest in the subject, such as: lack or inadequacy of data collection instruments - The method used by schools - If those responsible for the collection were instrumented to assist in the definition of the color/race category of the students - If the collection of data starting from each school individually or in its entirety, allows us to perform a consistent analysis of these data. The research techniques used consists of qualitative and quantitative evaluation and the research strategy was to study several cases. The literature review developed shows points of tension, especially regarding the identities and racial relations in Brazil, the classification of color/race in the Brazilian censuses and the elements that instigate the difference, prejudice and racial discrimination in schools. The results point out that in the schools investigated it was not clear to the officials responsible for collecting the importance of collecting color/race data of the students. They also point out that the same officials do not consider this data relevant, which makes it difficult to understand or analyze in order to affirm the importance of color/race as a constitution of the identity or racial identification of the students of said schools.