Bahia says no to racism
Brazilian club stands up for democracy and diversity
Top-tier Brasileirão’s club EC Bahia partners with Observatório da Discriminação Racial no Futebol (Observatory of Racism in Football) yearbook.
The annual report analyzes football-related racism on Brazilian stadiums, online or involving homegrown players abroad. The club will host next edition release soon after the end of the season in December.
“Bahia is the first Brazilian club to sign a partnership with us in a wider sense, focusing on a sort of actions like the release of the 2017’s Report in Salvador”, — tells Observatory founder Marcelo Carvalho.
The partnership must also promote the development of products, as well as an international meeting on the fight against racism in sports.
The announcement is part of a series of actions in celebration of November 20th, National Day of Zumbi dos Palmares (a black leader who fought against slave troops in the settlement of Quilombo dos Palmares) and Black Consciousness in Brazil.
Two times national champions and very popular in northeastern Brazil, the ‘Steel Squad’ changed the names of players in the shirts for that of Zumbi and other Afro-Brazilian heroes. Among them, legendary club idols, artists, and activists. Singer Gilberto Gil, ialorixá Mãe Stella de Oxóssi, and anthropologist Kabengele Munanga are some of those remembered icons.
Carlito was the name on the back of the promising playmaker Zé Rafael against Chapecoense this month. Tribute to the club’s all-time top scorer with 253 goals. That night, the shirt number 4 worn by center back Jackson was named by Moa do Katendê, capoeira master murdered by political issues in mid of recent Brazil’s presidential elections.
Bearing its state name, Bahia is a symbol from the most Afro-based city outside of Africa. Over 80% of 3 million inhabitants from an African background, most soteropolitanos (people born in Salvador) wear blue, red and white of Tricolor. Even a rubro-negro EC Vitória fan easily agrees that local rivals are the majority.
No surprise that fans and club players are among the victims of the data to be presented in a few weeks.
‘More than a club’
It’s time to redeems the nickname “Clube do Povo” (People’s Club). Or maybe ‘more than a club’ like FC Barcelona’s pretty close relation with Catalunya culture.
“Bahia is a popular club, of the poorer and, mainly, black people. Praise those who fight against racism is to praise the history of the club and the state itself.” — wrote Correio’s Ivan Dias Marques.
These efforts follow a move started from a real revolution after a decade of relegations and financial crisis. Today, fans vote directly to elect board members. On EL PAÍS, Breiller Pires highlights how democracy brought new times for taking steps on aiding former athletes, more affordable tickets, racial and LGBT causes.
“ We don’t promote inclusion and social actions for marketing. We do believe that football can contribute to improving the society”, — said EC Bahia chairman Guilherme Bellintani.
Since 2014, Lindona da Baêa performs side by side Super-Homem Tricolor (the Superman look-alike team mascot designed by famous cartoonist Ziraldo). The black-skinned Wonder Woman debut days after then Santos goalkeeper Aranha suffered racial slurs from Grêmio supporters.
This year, the club created a department for affirmative action called Núcleo de Ações Afirmativas (NAA). Sociologists, philosophers, admen, a public attorney, teachers and researchers works on projects related to gender, fight against homophobia, religious intolerance, and racism.
Democracy and diversity strengthening shows results. An NAA survey points that 23% of women who attends to Bahia matches said they already been discriminated. From the last two home games, police officers of special unity Ronda Maria da Penha ensure women security at the venue.
Early this month, the club used its official social media channels to support singer and Tricolor fan Claudia Leitte after she had embarrassed by sexist words of a famous host and TV owner.
‘We are the people’s outcry’, says a Bahia’s anthem verse. And they all claim for equality.
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