Race in Another America: The Significance of Skin Color in Brazil

This is the most comprehensive and up-to-date book on the increasingly important and controversial subject of race relations in Brazil. North American scholars of race relations frequently turn to Brazil for comparisons, since its history has many key similarities to that of the United States. Brazilians have commonly compared themselves with North Americans, and have traditionally argued that race relations in Brazil are far more harmonious because the country encourages race mixture rather than formal or informal segregation.

More recently, however, scholars have challenged this national myth, seeking to show that race relations are characterized by exclusion, not inclusion, and that fair-skinned Brazilians continue to be privileged and hold a disproportionate share of wealth and power.

In this sociological and demographic study, Edward Telles seeks to understand the reality of race in Brazil and how well it squares with these traditional and revisionist views of race relations. He shows that both schools have it partly right--that there is far more miscegenation in Brazil than in the United States--but that exclusion remains a serious problem. He blends his demographic analysis with ethnographic fieldwork, history, and political theory to try to "understand" the enigma of Brazilian race relations--how inclusiveness can coexist with exclusiveness.

The book also seeks to understand some of the political pathologies of buying too readily into unexamined ideas about race relations. In the end, Telles contends, the traditional myth that Brazil had harmonious race relations compared with the United States encouraged the government to do almost nothing to address its shortcomings.

"This is the first systematic scholarly treatment of the subject in any language by a fully trained sociologist. It is a highly valuable guide to the existing literature, and Telles' discussion by region of Brazil is the most revealing I have read. Because he worked in Rio de Janeiro as a staff advisor for the Ford Foundation, Telles was able to tap all the best sources--both primary and secondary. His skillful synthesis makes this a book that will appeal to readers in many fields."--Thomas E. Skidmore, Brown University

"With its unique combination of sophisticated demographic analysis, ethnographic research and cross-national comparisons, this book will have a significant impact on the now burgeoning literature on Brazilian race relations and, more generally, comparative race relations Professor Telles' multi-method approach will become a standard reference for comprehending Brazil's multi-hued population in comparative perspective."--Michael Hanchard, Northwestern University

"Telles has produced what will long be regarded as the definitive treatment of race relations in Brazil. Mobilizing tools from historical demography, stratification, social movement, and policy analysis, he provides a water-tight refutation of the myth of racial democracy while analyzing the extend and causes of racial discrimination. He skillfully parcels out social boundaries as manifested in intermarriage and residential segregation, while acknowledging the distinctive impact of sociability on race relations. With the United States in the background, Telles makes a terrific contribution to the growing field of comparative racism."--Michele Lamont, Harvard University

"Edward Telles has written an important and inspired book, one that will force those who think they know Brazil and who think they know America to examine their preconceptions anew. WithRace in Another America, Telles has not only broken substantial new scholarly ground, he has created work that will be essential reading for anyone trying to understand the often complex and Byzantine workings of race in society.Race in Another America is a masterfully conducted journey through Brazil, and a prescient look at where America, in some respects, is likely headed. It will be of interest not only to scholars, but to anyone who cares about the future of race in the world today."--Ellis Cose, author of Bone to Pick, Rage of the Privileged Class, Color-Blind, andThe Envy of the World