Antifascism and Racial Democracy

During the Second World War, “race” and “democracy” were central concepts in the strategic alliance between Brazil and the US. Cooperation between intellectuals from the two countries was widespread, resulting in a flurry of transnational, innovative racial studies. However, criticism of racism, which gained ground in the struggle against the Axis, generated tensions because it had potentially dangerous implications for the imperialist and capitalist global order. This chapter analyzes the connection between anti-fascist activism and the emergence of the concept of “Racial Democracy,” highlighting the trajectory of two Brazilian intellectuals, Gilberto Freyre and Arthur Ramos, and their connections with the black movement and the student movement, as well as with American political leaders and scholars. While Ramos was organically linked to anti-fascist front organizations organized by the communists, Freyre, with a more conservative political profile, suffered persecution, attacks, and harassment and was even arrested for denouncing the omission of the Pernambuco authorities in combating the activities of Nazi groups. The case of black student Aldenor Campos is analyzed as an example of the opening provided by the fight against the Axis for the emergence of young anti-racist political leaders.