Mestizos, counter-mestizaje, and the role of racial verification committees in the context of affirmative action policies in Brazil

Abstract

Mestiçagem and miscegenation in Brazil are not merely about the mixing of individuals from different ethno-racial groups; they reflect theories of whitening and racial democracy. The claim for a name – whether as a category or self-identification – by Black, Indigenous, or Afro-Indigenous peoples can be understood as a counter-mestizaje movement that challenges white dominance over narratives of racial mixing. As the Brazilian census category pardo continues to encompass populations shaped by these encounters, its meaning and political use remain contested. This analysis examines discourses on Brazilian mestizo raciality through ethnic-racial studies, the actions of social movements, narratives in social media, and the work of racial verification committees in public selection processes.