Judoka Rafaela Silva and goalkeeper Aranha joined Federal Government to launch a primer to help identify and report racism at the Olympic Games

"The monkey that should be in a cage, as I was called in London, came out of the cage to be the Olympic champion in Rio de Janeiro." That was the blow to racism dealt by judoka Rafaela Silva, gold medallist in the 2016 Olympic Games, during the presentation of the primer "For Olympic Games without Racism - Learn to identify the crime of racism and how to report it". The initiative was presented this Wednesday (10 August) at the Rio Media Center by the head of the Secretariat, Luislinda Valois.

Gold medalist Rafaela Silva, head of Seppir, Luislinda Valois, and the goalkeeper Aranha at the press conference

"I never imagined a moment like this. We respect everyone and everything in the world. With the Olympic Games, the life of black people will improve a lot in this country," said Luislinda.

The event was attended by Ponte Preta goalkeeper Mário Lúcio Duarte Costa - better known as Aranha - who was a victim of racist comments in 2014. He highlighted the importance of the primer to prevent episodes such as the one he experienced back then, when he defended Santos. His team was playing Grêmio for a match of the Brazil Cup, and Aranha had just shown a remarkable performance in Santos' 2-0 victory over the rival team. At the end of the match, the player was insulted by Grêmio fans at the stadium in Porto Alegre, who called him a monkey and imitated the sound of the animal.

After the episode, Aranha became a reference in the debate about racism in sport.

"Everyone saw what happened at that game, and that's why people started listening to me. I am proud of what I did. I put my career at risk, but it was not in vain. I did not remain silent. Racism must be fought not only in sports, but always," said the player.

Very moved, the Secretary called Rafaela and Aranha her "children", and held hands with the two athletes in a symbolic gesture against racism.

"You move me deeply. You with your physical talents, and I with my pen, have overcome many difficulties to win. Black people no longer accept just any education. We must be qualified to occupy any position, as politicians, doctors, engineers, in all careers and professions," said the secretary.

Rafaela recalled the pain of what happened to her during the London Olympics. After being disqualified in the fight against Hungarian Hedvig Karakas, she was the target of racist attacks on social networks. "That hurt me a lot. I could not understand what was going on. I thought it was easier to give up sport than to defend myself. It was the first time I was insulted like that. I thought of quitting judo," said the athlete.

Non-bailable offense

According to Law 7,716/89, as amended by Law 9,459/97, racism is considered a non-bailable, imprescriptible offence in Brazil. Published in Portuguese and English, the primer provides all the information about Brazilian legislation on the matter, as well as guidance on how to identify and report acts of racism or racial slurs.

"Racist people do not normally admit their prejudice, but act in a discriminatory manner. Whether or not racism is clear, the victim has the right to report any form of insult, embarrassment and humiliation," the text reads.

The primer recommends that victims seek the nearest police authority and file a report. If there is a flagrant offence (i.e. the crime is caught as it happens), the offender must be arrested, as prescribed in Law. If the act is collective - i.e. perpetrated by a group of people, community or even an entire society - the complaint must be made directly to the local Prosecution Service (Ministério Público).

Contacts

The primer also provides contact details for the Rio de Janeiro Protection Network, with phones and email addresses for the Prosecution Service, Public Defender's Office and the Office of the Regional Attorney for Citizens' Rights, as well as numbers for police stations and agencies dedicated to the Promotion of Racial Equality. It also contains contact information for the National Office of the Ombudsperson for Racial Equality and the 100 Hotline of the Federal Government, which also receives reports of racism.

The primer was drafted by SEPPIR's National Office of the Ombudsperson for Racial Equality. An online version can be found at the following link: http://www.seppir.gov.br/central-de-conteudos/noticias/2016/08-agosto/cartilha-orienta-publico-a-se-defenr-contra-o-racismo-durante-as-olimpiadas/cartilha_por-olimpiadas-sem-racismo.pdf