Say What? The Most Racist Things to Happen in Brazil

Racial tension goes far beyond what happens on the field.

Brazil's Racism Spans Over a Century - Reports of Brazil's racism have been swirling in the media since the start of the World Cup. But racism in Brazil goes far beyond what happens on the soccer field. Take a look at a few of these examples of racism in the country. — Nicole Phillip (Photo: David Turnley/Getty Images)

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Brazil's Racism Spans Over a Century - Reports of Brazil's racism have been swirling in the media since the start of the World Cup. But racism in Brazil goes far beyond what happens on the soccer field. Take a look at a few of these examples of racism in the country. — Nicole Phillip (Photo: David Turnley/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: David Turnley/Getty Images

The Last Western Nation to Abolish Slavery - Taking it back to the 19th century, Brazil's history of Black discrimination shows its deep roots. In 1888, Brazil became the last nation in the Americas to finally abolish slavery following Britain's intimidation tactics. (Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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The Last Western Nation to Abolish Slavery - Taking it back to the 19th century, Brazil's history of Black discrimination shows its deep roots. In 1888, Brazil became the last nation in the Americas to finally abolish slavery following Britain's intimidation tactics. (Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

A Twitter Feed Dedicated to Racism Against Maids - A Sao Paulo marketing executive created a Twitter page showcasing all of the racist things Brazilians say about their Black maids. One tweet says (translated from Portuguese) "my maid is so good, it doesn't feel like she's Black." Another tweets talks about a Black slave wearing handcuffs so she can't steal. (Photo: Hiya Images/Corbis)

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A Twitter Feed Dedicated to Racism Against Maids - A Sao Paulo marketing executive created a Twitter page showcasing all of the racist things Brazilians say about their Black maids. One tweet says (translated from Portuguese) "my maid is so good, it doesn't feel like she's Black." Another tweets talks about a Black slave wearing handcuffs so she can't steal. (Photo: Hiya Images/Corbis)

Fans Called a Brazilian Soccer Player a Monkey - In March, Santos midfielder Arouca had insults hurled at him from individuals who were, reportedly, Mogi Mirim fans. "It's better to block that out, better not to listen to these people, if you can actually call them people," said Arouca. (Photo: Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images)

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Fans Called a Brazilian Soccer Player a Monkey - In March, Santos midfielder Arouca had insults hurled at him from individuals who were, reportedly, Mogi Mirim fans. "It's better to block that out, better not to listen to these people, if you can actually call them people," said Arouca. (Photo: Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images)

Black Referee's Car Gets Vandalized - Going home after a game one night, Black referee Marcio Chagas found his car vandalized and his windshield covered in bananas. "It was a cowardly act because I couldn’t defend myself. The jeering is normal. This kind of action was new for me," said Chagas. (Photo: Heuler Andrey/LatinContent/Getty Images)

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Black Referee's Car Gets Vandalized - Going home after a game one night, Black referee Marcio Chagas found his car vandalized and his windshield covered in bananas. "It was a cowardly act because I couldn’t defend myself. The jeering is normal. This kind of action was new for me," said Chagas. (Photo: Heuler Andrey/LatinContent/Getty Images)

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70 Universities Require Affirmative Action - Since 2001, 20 percent of the space in each of Rio De Janeiro's public universities are set aside for African-Americans who pass an entrance exam, and 25 percent of seats are served as "social quotas" for students from low-income families (who are often Black). (Photo: Wiki Commons)

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70 Universities Require Affirmative Action - Since 2001, 20 percent of the space in each of Rio De Janeiro's public universities are set aside for African-Americans who pass an entrance exam, and 25 percent of seats are served as "social quotas" for students from low-income families (who are often Black). (Photo: Wiki Commons)

Just One Black Cabinet Member - In 2012, with 36 ministers in her coalition, only one was Black — Luiza Helena de Bairros, secretary of state for racial equality. "Racism in Brazil is well hidden, subtle and unspoken, underestimated by the media," said Joaquim Barbosa, the first Black judge to sit on the bench of the supreme court in Brazil. (Photo: Kerim Okten-Pool/Getty Images)

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Just One Black Cabinet Member - In 2012, with 36 ministers in her coalition, only one was Black — Luiza Helena de Bairros, secretary of state for racial equality. "Racism in Brazil is well hidden, subtle and unspoken, underestimated by the media," said Joaquim Barbosa, the first Black judge to sit on the bench of the supreme court in Brazil. (Photo: Kerim Okten-Pool/Getty Images)