In the whispers of the night, she carries the weight of history in her voice. The echoes of Castro Alves’ golden nightingale, the resounding melody of Mandela’s South African struggle, and the vibrant spirit of Salvador townships are etched into the creases of her elbows.

Her braids hold the strength of black fists, intertwined with the courage of Malcolm and Lumumba, as they sink into the depths of her lungs, pulling at the segregation zones that scar her soul.

The cobblestones of Pelourinho, the remnants of Senzalas, and the legacy of Palmares are imprinted on her soles, where the jagged edges of apartheid have left their mark.

With every note she sings, she testifies to the resilience of her people, fighting for freedom with a voice that reverberates through time and space. She is the embodiment of resistance, a living testament to the struggles and triumphs of her ancestors.

In her song, the past and present converge, weaving a tapestry of strength and determination. She is a living legacy, a beacon of hope, and a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who have fought for justice and equality.

Black Awareness Day is celebrated in Brazil on November 20, in honor of Zumbi, one of the most important quilombola leaders in Brazilian history and a pioneer of resistance to the slavery of Africans in the Latin American countries. To mark the day, demonstrations were held in several cities to advocate for the rights of black people.

Copyright © Beatriz Esmer