Nor crime, neither punishment: racism in perception of judiciary and of victims of acts of discrimination

Abstract

In this article we analyze how ca ses of racism, which make up a sample of court cases occurred in São Paulo city between 2003 and 2011 were perceived by judiciary by victims, and discussed whether this experience positively influenced the feeling of self-respect experienced by the latter. We evaluate the findings of this research as part of a speech about Brazilianness built, on the side of the judiciary, through the declassification of acts of racism so that they are not configured as crimes; and, on the side of the victims, around the desire to resolve this conf lict without resorting to punitive measures. Both actions disqua lif y the act ion of anti-racism law. We conclude that this discourse confirms the regulation of race relations in order to maintain the belief in the supposed harmony of Brazilian societ y.