Trabalho, Educação e Saúde - TES (Work, Education and Health) is an open access scientific journal, edited by the Joaquim Venâncio Polytechnic School of Health, from Oswaldo Cruz Foundation.
This study analyzed racism expressions in the work experiences of Black Community Health Agents working in Rio de Janeiro and São Gonçalo municipalities, through qualitative research using a focus group. The agents’ vocalization of their racism experiences is representative of both their positions as workers and users of the Unified Brazilian Health System. In general, in the territories where they work and live, the historical absence of public policies is one of the dimensions on the process of social determination of health. Racism extends across multiple dimensions of the relationships between users, health workers, and management, and is embedded in institutional and organizational structures to subjugate subjects based on their race/color. The findings point on two axes of analysis: the first, regarding the construction of subjectivity under racism; and the second on experiences of racism, the latter divided into four sub-items: the issue of self-declaration and the collection of race/color data, whitening strategies, the relationship between race/class, and the ideology of domination. It concludes by highlighting the convergence of this debate with intersectional approaches and recognizing both the structural dimension of racism and the importance of changing everyday practices.
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https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5913-5489