Reports of racism show airports as hostile place for black individuals

According to specialists interviewed by Agência Brasil, the airport environment, with its limited representation of black individuals and system of barriers and controls, exposes a culture of racism. This was highlighted on May 10 when State Representative Renato Freitas reported being a victim of racism during a police control while boarding a flight. The incident with researcher Samantha Vitena, who was removed from a flight in Salvador after a dispute over her luggage dispatch last month, also brought attention to the issue.

Jivarlos da Cruz, the co-founder of the Quilombo Aéreo collective, which is composed of airline workers working to combat racism in the aviation sector, stated that "racism has always been an issue in the aviation industry." He expressed his satisfaction with the increased visibility brought to the issue by recent cases, saying, "I'm glad it's finally gaining attention."

Exclusion

According to Cruz, the scarcity of black individuals working in and using the airline industry worsens the problem of racism. He stated, "Aviation is typically an unwelcoming and uncomfortable environment for us, particularly because we [black people] do not see ourselves reflected in this space. It is an elitist environment, where we do not feel safe or at ease."

In a study conducted by Quilombo Aéreo in collaboration with the Federal University of São Carlos and published in March, it was revealed that there are no black female pilots in Brazil. The research also found that 97 percent of pilots in the country are male, with only 2 percent being black. Similarly, 66 percent of flight attendants are women, but only 5 percent are black.

He advocates for creating awareness among all individuals involved in the process, including not only the federal police but also the X-ray personnel who inspect us, and flight attendants, emphasizing the need for dialogue.

Racism not only affects passengers but also workers in the sector, including the veiled racism we face daily, as well as the more explicit forms where people refuse to be served by black attendants," he added.

Sociologist Diego Francisco shares a similar assessment of airport environments, stating that "the more black individuals present in a space, the less prevalent the feeling of hostility is. As these spaces become more whitewashed, they also become increasingly hostile towards black people."

Barriers

According to the researcher, the security controls and barriers in airports are where racism becomes most evident. He draws a comparison with the situation that black people face with revolving doors in banks. He gave an example of actress Solange Couto who removed all her clothes to prove that there was no metal on her to enter a bank in Rio de Janeiro in 2008.

Francisco argues that so-called random procedures can also be tinged with racism if there is no prior reflection on these processes. For instance, during an international flight, random selections are often made to determine who should go through an X-ray when there is no declaration of assets. However, as Francisco points out, what usually prevails in these choices is racial bias, which makes the randomness of these selections suspect. "In randomness, racial bias prevails," he emphasizes.

When State Representative Renato Freitas was boarding a flight, federal police officers removed him from the plane, alleging that he was selected for a random baggage inspection.

Debate and Diversity

"It is crucial and beneficial to further deepen this debate to foster a more equitable and fair experience in public spaces," he asserts.

To address the issue, Diego Francisco proposes that companies prioritize diversity and reconsider their procedures. "Private institutions need to swiftly and thoroughly invest in diversity within their workforce. They should not simply add black individuals, but rather scrutinize their selection processes and challenge the ones that have become the norm."

Earlier this month, Minister of Racial Equality Anielle Franco announced that the National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac) and the government will discuss measures to prevent cases of racism and develop mechanisms to regulate airlines. This announcement came in response to the recent incident involving the black teacher Samantha Vitena.