Resumo:
This study seeks to discuss the dynamics of the university system in Brazil from an antiracist, counter-colonial, and decolonial perspective. Grounded in bibliographic sources, its
overall objective is to critically grasp the following issues and themes: the coloniality of
power, knowledge, and Being, racism, and the Brazilian university. Here, race and racism are
central, since the discussion on ethnic-racial relations is fundamental to reflecting on the
social question in Brazil—a country in which social relations are undeniably racialized. It is
also crucial to problematize the colonialities and their intersections with ethnicity and race,
gender, sexualities, and more. The work aims to strengthen a praxis that confronts the
colonialities produced globally. It begins by positioning discussions around the coloniality of
power as it coexists with capitalism, with the intention of contextualizing and decolonizing
historical processes. It then addresses the categories of race and racism based on authors from
the Social Sciences, Humanities, and Social Work fields. Finally, it seeks to highlight issues
related to the concrete reality of the Brazilian university, as well as to present reflections on
the places and non-places of non-white body-voices in the context of public higher education.
Based on readings, analyses, and participatory observations, it was possible to analyze a
range of issues concerning the production of colonialities and their effects on Black,
Indigenous, and Quilombola experiences in the face of academic racism and whiteness within
the university, which also reflects liberal arrangements. It was also identified that, despite the
ongoing colonial and racist structures, there is a real creation and contestation of narratives,
epistemologies, and resistance practices led by non-white groups within the context of the
contemporary university.
