Black activism and protagonism: from raising awareness in the Black community to universal emancipatory education as a project to overcome racism and sexism

Abstract

Racism and sexism are central themes denounced by Lélia Gonzalez in her activism and research as a teacher. For the author, overcoming oppression requires strengthening a Black activism that empowers what she called “garbage,” breaking centuries of silencing Black culture and identity. This perspective dialogues with Paulo Freire’s educational project, whose pedagogical model seeks the liberation of the oppressed through critical awareness, citizenship, and social protagonism. The convergence between Gonzalez and Freire shows that the emancipation of Black people – especially Black women – depends on critical education and the active participation of historically subjugated subjects. While Gonzalez highlights the urgency of legitimizing the voice of the oppressed, Freire offers pedagogical means to transform it into action capable of modifying social structures. Thus, the articulation between cultural activism and liberating education becomes essential to confront racism, sexism, and other structural inequalities.

KEYWORDS: Racism; Sexism; Awareness; Empowerment; Liberating Education.