This article discusses the meaning of the affirmative action proposals in the Brazilian racial relations context, which is marked by the popular belief in the racial democracy myth, as well as in the ideal of whitening. As a consequence of both beliefs, there is on one hand, a difficulty toward a positive self-classification, and on the other, a negative alter-classification of who is Negro in Brazil. By using interviews with Negro militants, we come to a conclusion that the above-mentioned proposals besides minimizing the racial inequality, try to redefine the Brazilian model of social relations revalorizing the Negro identity. To fulfill this wish, it is required to develop a sense of belonging to a racial group, as well as a self and a alter positive recognize of who is Negro in Brazil. Starting from this, it would be possible to re-discuss and even overcome the racial democracy myth.
racial democracy myth; ideal of whitening; affirmative action; Negro identity