RACIAL DISCRIMINATION OF BLACK WOMEN IN THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS UNDER THE LIGHT OF INTERSECTIONALITY AND ACCESS TO JUSTICE
Women; Black; Social Security; Racism; Intersectionality.
The racial issue in Brazil is treated with carelessness and lack of attention, both in social, political, academic, and legal spheres. Brazilian institutions and organizations have sought foreign models to address the problems, ignoring the national reality and its internal contradictions, especially regarding the Black population. Brazil was the last country in the Western world to abolish slavery, and Brazilian society constructed the image of peaceful slavery, concealing the atrocities committed against the Black population. However, the marks of this slaveholding regime and the degrading treatment given to slaves are deeply rooted in Brazilian social thinking. Despite the complex discussions about the origin of racism and racial prejudice, it is undeniable that the Black population faces discrimination throughout the Western world, suffering various forms of marginalization and even violence. Racial discrimination goes beyond a social, political, or economic issue, becoming a human rights issue, directly linked to the fundamental right to equal treatment. Although Brazilian constitutions have expanded the protection of human dignity and equality, promoting equal rights and responsibilities, the norms remain dormant in codes and compilations of laws, without practical application. The Brazilian state has been indifferent to racist manifestations, perpetuating racial discrimination. Given this context, the research problem is to understand how the historical dynamics of racism and colonialism, together with the intersectionality of gender, race, and class, affect Black women's access to specific benefits of the General Social Security Regime in the Federal Special Court of Ilhéus/BA Subsection. The justification for this research project lies in the need to discuss the inequalities and barriers faced by Black women in the social security system, as well as being a field that is underexplored in academic literature. Understanding these issues is crucial for promoting social justice, developing effective public policies, and expanding dialogue on racial and gender discrimination. The general objective of this project is to understand the dynamics of structural and institutional racism suffered by Black women in the social security system before the Federal Special Court. The specific objectives include analyzing the historical relations of racism and colonialism, using the concept of intersectionality, examining access to justice, and characterizing epistemic racism present in the legal system. The adopted methodology will be descriptive and exploratory, with an Afro-descendant focus, using documentary sources, questionnaires, interviews, and systematic observation. The research will be conducted in stages, from data collection to analysis and theoretical discussion. It is expected that the results will reveal patterns of racial and gender discrimination, identify barriers to access to justice, and provide insights for public policies and institutional improvements. Additionally, the research has the potential to enrich academic literature, promote practical changes, and broaden the dialogue on racial and gender discrimination