Histórias em quadrinhos e a representatividade de mulheres negras na cultura brasileira: análise de Jeremias-Pele

Abstract

This dissertation, of bibliographical nature and qualitative approach, focused on the central objective of understanding the representation of Black women in contemporary Brazilian comic books and their contributions to twenty-first-century society in the deconstruction of racism. Its main object of study and primary source is the comic book Jeremias – Pele, and it was developed within the Interdisciplinary Master’s Program in Society and Culture (PPGSC), under the research line Culture, Power, and Ethnic-Racial Relations, at the State University of Piauí (UESPI). To achieve a deeper understanding of the object of study, bibliographical readings were carried out on cultural theory, pop culture, narrative studies, and, notably, the theoretical foundations of comic art. Comics were approached ascultural and social practices that serve as significant tools for addressing various social issues, enabling critique, reflection, awareness, and the construction of knowledge. As a result, this dissertation presents analytical explorations of Jeremias – Pele, through which it became possible to identify racism as a cultural practice deeply rooted in societal structures and institutionalized in social norms, with devastating consequences for the lives of Black people. These include multiple forms of violence, racial segregation, invisibility, and other factors that affect the formation of identity and the social relations of those impacted. The analyses also highlight constructive perspectives regarding the struggle against racism and the dismantling of everyday racial discrimination. They present Black characters whose portrayals evoke positions of prominence within society, enabling representativeness and the positive construction of Black identity. Among the main findings, it becomes evident that comic book narratives serve as effective tools for promoting the representation of Black women—particularly through depictions of Black female characters who occupy positions of social reference and, through their academic, professional, and family achievements, contribute significantly to the construction of Black identity. These characters are portrayed as individuals who face various contexts and situations of racism, prejudice, and discrimination with acceptance and freedom, thus helping to break down the demeaning paradigms surrounding Black women in Brazilian society.