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Africana Womanism and the “Question of the Black Woman” in Brazil

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Africana Womanism and the “Question of the Black Woman” in Brazil Florida State University Libraries Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations The Graduate School 2013 "I Have to Know Who I Am": An Africana Womanist Analysis of Afro-Brazilian Identity in the Literature of Miriam Alves, Esmeralda Ribeiro and Conceição Evaristo Doris Waddell Gilliam Follow this and additional works at the FSU Digital Library. For more information, please contact [email protected] THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES “I HAVE TO KNOW WHO I AM.”: AN AFRICANA WOMANIST ANALYSIS OF AFRO- BRAZILIAN IDENTITY IN THE LITERATURE OF MIRIAM ALVES, ESMERALDA RIBEIRO AND CONCEIÇÃO EVARISTO By DORIS WADDELL GILLIAM A Dissertation submitted to the College of Arts and Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Degree Awarded: Spring Semester, 2013 © Doris Waddell Gilliam defended this dissertation on March 29, 2013. The members of the supervisory committee were: Peggy Sharpe Professor Directing Dissertation Kathleen Erndl University Representative Delia Poey Committee Member Juan Carlos Galeano Committee Member The Graduate School has verified and approved the above-named committee members, and certifies that the dissertation has been approved in accordance with university requirements. ii To Dr. Maurice Waddell, Sr. who would be so proud to see me arrive at this point in my life and Mrs. Doris P. Waddell who has lovingly ensured that I complete this stage of my journey—feet forward and ready for the future. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I did not complete the dissertation alone. Throughout this journey I have received support and encouragement from a number of people for whom I am truly grateful. I would like to thank Dr. Peggy Sharpe, my major professor and Dissertation Advisor, for introducing me to the fascinating topic of Afro-Brazilian writers. Not only did she teach me about the rich history and culture of Brazil in classes, but she ensured that I would arrive at a greater understanding of each writer’s work by interacting with them personally. Dr. Sharpe’s knowledge of Brazil, critical advice, encouragement, and friendship have been invaluable in helping me arrive at this point. I appreciate committee members, Doctors Kathleen Erndl, Delia Poey, and Juan Carlos Galeano for their guidance on my dissertation, as well as the time they spent talking with me about the dissertation process, my career, school, and even life choices. The Humanities, Modern Languages and Linguistics departments as well as a number of individuals at Strozier Library played a great role in assisting me along the way. I can truthfully state that every Humanities professor was helpful in some way, whether it was in taking really interesting and useful film classes with “Profesora” Maricarmen Martinez, or receiving guidance and support from department chair, John Kelsay, and graduate student advisor Dr. Carla Reid. A number of Humanities professors including, Drs. Cashin and Stoddard, served as support systems with their kind words, deeds and advice. I offer special thanks to Dr. Cloonan, Chairman, and the Department of the Florida State University Modern Languages and Linguistics Department for virtually adopting me as one of their own. Special appreciation to Dr. Michael Leeser for allowing me to learn and teach Spanish to Florida State students in new and innovative ways and to the Modern Languages and Linguistics faculty who offered kind words and conversation on quite a few occasions. A huge “thank you” goes to Strozier Library employees for their assistance with procuring materials. Velma Smith, Interlibrary Loan Director, frequently went above the call of duty to ensure I had the materials all of the materials I needed. A final note of appreciation to Julie Dow whose eye for editing and comments about literature were always thoughtful and on target. Love and “thanks” go to my friends and family on and off the Florida State campus. The Humanities Doctoral Support group was an indispensable source of information and friendship. iv In addition, I will not forget the friends who encouraged me with kind words, deeds, and prayers. This is especially true of Kelvin Lindsay who has been a great listener and supporter throughout my studies. Finally, I would be remiss in not mentioning my appreciation for Linda McCorvey, Pamela Crosby, Constance Adams, and Camille Whitehead, my “sisterfriends” away from home. I would not have arrived at the point without my biggest supporters, members of the Waddell family. Thanks to my siblings Maurice and Marcia who always offered perspective on the important things in life. A big hug to my brother John, who along with Douglas set the precedent for attending Florida State University, offered wonderful advice about the doctoral process and the importance of finishing the course. A final thanks to “Mama” whose love, intelligence, wise words and frequent encouragement have carried me to the end of this journey. Finally, I stand on the shoulders of many people, named and unnamed. I honor and give thanks to you for assisting me along the way. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... ix 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 1 Definitions................................................................................................................................... 1 The Black Female Intellectual and Writer .................................................................................. 2 Historical Context ....................................................................................................................... 3 Methodology ............................................................................................................................... 7 Limitations .................................................................................................................................. 8 Sources ........................................................................................................................................ 9 Chapter Outline ......................................................................................................................... 11 2. SURVEYING SCHOLARSHIP ON RACE IN BRAZIL ........................................................ 15 Origins of Twentieth Century Racial Discourse ....................................................................... 16 Twentieth Century: Defining the Nation through Race ............................................................ 17 Afro-Brazilian Response to Elite Discourse on Race: 1920s-1930s ........................................ 20 Revising the Theory of “Racial Democracy”: 1950s-1970s .................................................... 23 Twentieth Century Black Activism and Literature: 1970s-1990s ............................................ 24 Contemporary Afro-Brazilian Women and Race in History, Politics and Literature ............... 26 Examining Race, Class and Gender through the Africana Womanist Lens ............................. 29 Post-revisionist Considerations of Race: Twenty-first Century ............................................... 32 3. MÃE PRETA, MULATA, MULHER: AFRICANA WOMANISM AND THE “QUESTION OF THE BLACK WOMAN” IN BRAZIL ......................................................................................... 34 Imagining Afro-Brazilian Women: Mãe Preta and Mulata .................................................... 41 Challenging the Stereotypes: “Amefricanidade” ..................................................................... 48 vi Challenging the Myths: Feminism, Black Feminism, Womanism and Africana Womanism . 54 Clenora Hudson-Weems ........................................................................................................... 55 Exploring Africana Womanist Predecessors: Feminism, Black Feminism and Womanism .... 57 Africana Womanism ................................................................................................................. 67 4. ‘HERSTORY’: SELF-NAMING AND SELF-DEFINITION IN THE LITERATURE OF MIRIAM ALVES, ESMERALDA RIBEIRO AND CONCEIÇÃO EVARISTO ....................... 83 The Call to Identity ................................................................................................................... 84 “I am who I say I am.”: Self-naming and Identity .................................................................... 84 “This is the reality of my existence”: Self-definition and Identity ............................................ 85 Miriam Alves ............................................................................................................................ 87 Searching for the Self in Alves’s “Estranho Indagar” .............................................................. 91 Esmeralda Ribeiro and "Ogun" ................................................................................................. 98 Esmeralda Ribeiro’s “Ogun”: “I have to know who I am.”.……….....…………………….101 Traversing the Africana Womanist Path: Rejection ............................................................... 102 Self-Examination .................................................................................................................... 105 Contest ...................................................................................................................................
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