“Era meu sonho ser Miss Mulata”: A representação da mulher negra e mulata em um concurso de beleza 1969-1999 (Arroio Grande, RS).

Abstract

This research aims to understand concepts and race settings by terminologies and images, and their relationship to the construction and deconstruction of racism. The analysis is about the beauty contest "Miss Mulata" the city of Arroio Grande, interior of Rio Grande do Sul. Originating in 1969, the black beauty contest had a history of thirty years. The work seeks to understand the use of the term "mulata" to denote the event that was to the appreciation of the beauty of black women. Therefore, it is essential to analyze the trajectory of the creator of the contest; the historical period of 1969; the mulata own terminology and national construction; in addition, to make relevant a brief study of semiotics and the contribution of postcolonial studies. This research cherishes the settings and definitions of persons participating in the history of the event, as candidates and organizers, and respect their memories. The principal methodology used is the oral history, but also was extremely important the analysis of images, such as photographs and newspaper collection "A Evolução" of Arroio Grande. Through research, I see the struggle of black people against racism and normative whiteness, through the strategic use of mulata terminology and also about the aesthetics mestizo and black a reappropriation, or take for themselves their symbols and values.