By Ricardo Corrêa*

In our classist society, where white people hegemonically occupy positions of power and decision-making, the authority of white aesthetics defines beauty and its counterpart, ugliness. ― Neusa Santos Souza

SAO PAULO, Brazil | 30 May 2025 (WorldView) — The film “Hidden Figures,” released in 2017, tells the inspiring story of three black scientists who worked at NASA: Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson. Their professional careers were built on the backs of immense obstacles, highlighting the complexities faced by black individuals in the job market.

At one point in the film, the character Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) delivers a poignant line that encapsulates the harsh realities of the job market: “Whenever we have a chance to move forward, they move the finish line.” This statement underscores the pervasive nature of racism, which prevents individuals from advancing and gaining professional recognition.

In Brazilian history, black workers have faced a stark contrast in job opportunities compared to white workers. Black workers often encounter precarious employment, lacking the stability and security that white workers enjoy.

The research “The Cost of Racial Inequality,” produced by the Centre for Racial Studies (NERI) of the Institute of Education and Research (Insper), revealed that the highest salaries are concentrated among the white population. This inequality exposes white privilege and demonstrates that racism isn’t just about entry into the job market but also advancement within companies.

White aesthetics as the standard of beauty

However, the media discourse of economists, consultants, and labour market analysts lacks credibility. They promote the idea of “competence” as a fundamental factor for success, ignoring the racism present in the decisions of white recruiters. In reality, black individuals with the best professional qualities are excluded, and the “finish line” becomes unreachable, as Mary Jackson famously said.

In the late 1990s, Brazil faced a surge in unemployment. “Job listings” and job placement agencies offered hope of escaping the statistics, but opportunities often required “good looks.” Black people knew this warning put them out of the running. In a developed country that prioritises white aesthetics as the standard of beauty, the message was clear: black people weren’t hired.

I diligently handed out dozens of resumes and participated in several selection processes. Despite the discouragement, I managed to secure a job as a technical assistant. When I signed the documents, the company manager informed me that if my performance was satisfactory during the initial three-month trial period, I would be offered a technician position. However, five years passed, and I remained in my initial position.

During this period, I witnessed many people, including white professionals whom I had even trained, advancing in their careers. However, the company decided to promote me only after I completed my degree, which I refused. Months later, I was selected in a selection process for the position I had graduated from university. This experience taught me a valuable lesson: if the finish line changes, we must adjust our strategy accordingly. We can only truly determine the outcome by trying. This principle holds true as long as racism exists.

*This article is written by contributors or writers of Portal Geledés and does not represent the ideas or opinions of the newspaper. Portal Geledés offers a platform for diverse voices from the public sphere, ensuring the plurality of debate in society. (WorldView)

Original link: https://www.geledes.org.br/o-racismo-se-esconde-no-discurso-de-competencia-profissional/

Image from the promotional video for Hidden Figures – Disclosure/20th Century Studios.