Inocência Mata: "15 years ago, racism wasn't discussed"

Inocência Mata, the sole Black professor at the Faculty of Letters at the University of Lisbon, has spoken out against what she terms "systemic racism." She argues that this pervasive issue leads to the marginalization of African literatures and post-colonial studies within academic institutions. Mata, who has experienced "interpersonal" racism, such as colleagues correcting her Portuguese, notes that such overt instances are less common now.

In a podcast interview, Mata asserted that racism in Portugal is more profound than in Brazil. She highlighted a key difference: "In Brazil, no Black person is told to go back to their land." This statement points to a deeper, perhaps more ingrained, form of racial discrimination in Portugal compared to Brazil, where, despite its own issues with racism, there might be a different social dynamic regarding national identity and origin.

Mata further elaborated on her understanding of racism, stating, "The racist is not a bad person. Racism is an ideology." This perspective shifts the focus from individual malice to a broader societal and ideological construct. By framing racism as an ideology, Mata suggests it is a system of beliefs and practices that can permeate institutions and individuals, regardless of their personal intentions.

Her critique targets the underrepresentation and devaluation of African and post-colonial scholarship within the Portuguese academic landscape. By challenging the existing structures, Mata advocates for a more inclusive and equitable academic environment that recognizes and integrates diverse literary and theoretical traditions.