Cidadania negra, triolets e imprensa: a destemida trajetória de João da Cruz contra o racismo e sua luta por reconhecimento e igualdade (Maranhão-Pará, 1864-1887)

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the life of João Francisco da Cruz, a Black intellectual from the late 19th century, whose trajectory in Pará reveals the complexities of the struggles for citizenship in a society marked by slavery. Focusing on the intersection between his personal narrative and the racial tensions of the time, the study analyzes the role of the press, especially the newspaper Diário de Notícias, in constructing racial representations and ideological battles surrounding the abolition of slavery. In Pará, in the “Solicitados” section of Diário de Notícias, we found triolets that referred to “monkey”, “nigger”, “carafuz” (mulatto person), and “the most petulant Black man”, João da Cruz, used to satirize, mock, and discriminate against men of color. The research identified 102 triolets, 2 steam romances, 1 epigram, 1 sonnet, 2 short poems, 5 riddles, and 1 fable, all involving João da Cruz, between December 1882 and March 1883, reappearing between May and September 1885. From these triolets and other notes about João da Cruz, various related news articles were found, deepening the understanding of his figure. This research aims not only to map João da Cruz's achievements but also to uncover the obstacles faced by Afro-descendants in their quest for recognition and equality. By exploring notarial and periodical sources, the study highlights the strategies of overcoming adopted by João da Cruz and other Afro-descendants in a context of inequality and racial prejudice, contributing to a broader understanding of the history of Afro-descendants in Brazil and their legacies in contemporary society.