Perspective: How one of the most dangerous — and popular — types of cosmetic surgery became desirable.
After slavery’s abolition in 1888, White Brazilian elites, most of whom were descendants of Portuguese colonists, had a conundrum. They dreamed of building a White nation, shaped by a concept of progress understood as being tied directly to Whiteness. But Brazil’s population of African descent far outnumbered its White population.White elites latched on to the growing eugenics movement, which was taking off around the globe, as a potential solution.
Over the first half of the 20th century, many intellectuals and politicians came not only to support miscegenation, but to celebrate it. This celebration effectively became a propaganda tool to erase racial consciousness and drive the diverse people of Brazil to see themselves as “Brazilian.
This body type is ubiquitous today in the sexualization of women’s bodies in Brazil, with entire beauty pageants dedicated to the buttocks. This is the case of the annual Miss Bumbum contest, in which 27 women representing each Brazilian state compete against one another for the title of best buttocks in Brazil. They generally all possess the same hourglass figure and are White or light-skinned.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Perspective | Exploring the rich history — and strange depths — of the Black SeaJoshua Keating talks to Jens Mühling about his new book on a region central to the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Read more »
Beyoncé’s Sequined RevolutionBeyoncé’s 'Renaissance,' a love letter to Black queer innovators, comes at a precarious moment in history. Read CraigSJ's review
Read more »
New York City lawmakers want to mandate Asian American history studies in schoolsLegislators and advocacy groups are calling for mandatory instruction of Asian American history in New York state public schools, saying the education would help counter anti-Asian violence.
Read more »
Perspective | Nichelle Nichols made Black sci-fi fans believe they could reach for the starsPerspective: Nichelle Nichols made Black sci-fi fans believe they could reach for the stars
Read more »
NPR Cookie Consent and Choices
Read more »
Perspective | A Black woman hits glass ceiling then breaks ground as her own bossSheila D. Brooks was motivated by her mother, who walked away from a Mississippi cotton field at age 13 to start a new life.
Read more »