The evolution of the color or race variable as public policy indicator in Brazil: visibilization and invisibilization of the Brazilian black population

Abstract

Racial inequality is a longstanding and structurally harmful characteristic of Brazilian society, impacting the quality of life of the majority of its population. Just as demographic data, such as those produced through the national censuses, are important in guiding public policies for the well-being of the population as a whole, the existence of a race or ethnicity variable in such data is crucial for the production of ethnic-racial indicators, necessary to focus public policies for the promotion of racial equality. This article sought to investigate the historical evolution of race/ethnicity as a variable in the production of public policy indicators in Brazil. Beyond the relatively recent Brazilian state’s affirmation on the importance of producing ethnic-racial data, the article addresses the long-standing history of production of such data through the national censuses, revealing the existence of a pendulum-like pattern of visibility (limited, relativized and instrumental) and invisibility of the Brazilian black population. Such dynamics are still observable in recent public policies, as the mandatory collection of administrative data by race and ethnicity in the scope of the Unified Health System (SUS), as imposed by the 2009 National Policy for Comprehensive Health of the Black Population; and the decision not to use such information in prioritizing vaccination against Covid-19.