Racism and the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: confrontation according to different ethnicities

Abstract

Data from the latest Brazilian demographic census uncover that the black and brown population in Brazil represent 55.6% of the total population. Nevertheless, this does not guarantee access to a fairer income distribution and access to health and quality education. The objective of this article is to evaluate the individual differences and psychological suffering resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic among indigenous and Afro-descendants compared to other ethnic groups. Participated in this study 1,914 individuals (22.3% men and 77.7% women), with age between 14 and 86 (average = 34.88 SD = 13.61), from 24 Brazilian states and the Federal District that answered the instruments online through googleforms. The results have shown significant differences in age, income and occupation according to ethnic group, with self-declared black and indigenous groups in more vulnerable conditions than other ethnic groups. In comparison with the other ethnic groups, Asians had significantly lower scores in extroversion while Blacks had significantly higher scores in openness. The data demonstrate that racism has continued in Brazil despite inclusion policies as well as the intensification and invisibilization of certain ethnic groups with the pandemic

Keywords: Racism, Ethnic Groups, Pandemic, COVID-19

DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/14-6-02

Publication date: June 30th 2024