O acesso às universidades por negros e empobrecidos: os impactos causados pela EDUCAFRO no contexto da democratização do ensino superior

Abstract

The black people, even after the slavery abolition, did not participate in Brazilian society with the same rights and social access. Opportunities were being restricted and Higher Education was not part of the opportunities and possibilities of most young black people. As a result of this reality, popular and community initiatives were created to provide the necessary support to reduce the distance between reality and the dreams of black and impoverished young people. In Baixada Fluminense in the early 1990s, popular leaders linked to Friar David Raimundo dos Santos, created a movement to offer college entrance exam preparation classes taught by community volunteers who had classroom or content experience, as well as motivate citizen conscience. The classes happened at São João Batista Parish in São João de Meriti. With that group, the Pre-Entrance Exam for Blacks and Needy Students (PVNC) was born and EDUCAFRO was developed, which became a reference in the preparation of black and needy young people for the vestibular (Brazilian college entrance exam) and an element of strong action in the search and implementation of public policies in social inclusion through Higher Education. Since then, Higher Education in Brazil has gone through an important democratization process and many steps have been taken by Brazilian society in this regard, such as the increase of Higher Education Institutions, the adoption of educational public policies based on affirmative action, such as PROUNI, FIES and the Quota System. So, the profile of university students has changed and the cultural and social diversity in Higher Education in Brazil has increased. This process meant an important revolution for the black community and benefited whole Brazilian society, through the increased representation of social sectors, such as poor and black people, who previously did not have the space of academic protagonists. This change of panorama is important for social inclusion and diversity in universities. The volunteer system adopted by EDUCAFRO has made young black, poor students take charge of their own and communities histories. Thus, those who were students became professionals in different areas and returned as teachers, volunteers and coordinators of EDUCAFRO's centers. In addition to becoming a reference for new generations, they continue supporting others to have the same opportunities. Thus, as another movement for equality rights and for the social inclusion of black people, EDUCAFRO is positioned in Brazil's history as an element of resistance and liberation. This project aims to study how EDUCAFRO and its methodology were developed in Brazil as instruments of social inclusion by preparing young people, mostly black and impoverished, for higher education, as well as the positive impacts on the lives of thousands of people.