Councilor Marta Rodrigues (PT) presented the bill (80/2024) at the Salvador City Council, which ensures that educational institutions in the capital of Bahia make use of graduation hats (capelos) that are suitable for afro, curly hair , frizzy and voluminous at municipal school ceremonies.
As an important inclusive step in the area of education, the proposal aims to collaborate in the fight against racism as it helps to empower students in the municipal school who have afro hair and who do not feel represented by the traditional accessory, as they find it difficult to fit in. them in the head. It is worth remembering that Salvador is the capital with the largest black population outside of Africa, accounting for 83.2% of individuals who declare themselves black or mixed race, according to the 2022 census by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).
Despite the increase in black students at universities, 400% more in the last 17 years, according to the Center for Teaching, Research and Extension of the University of Brasília (UnB), the mortarboard still does not meet the hair diversity of the Brazilian population. This fact generates discomfort and actions that are not inclusive, such as non-voluntary straightening of the hair, tying the hat with tiaras, gluing the accessory to the head or even giving up using the item.
According to the councilor, the expectation is that the project will gain support and be expanded to state and federal levels.
“It is necessary to understand that these accessories are manufactured on a large scale in a traditional model without considering the majority of the population in our city and our country, which is black. Capels have symbolism for students, as they are part of a rite of passage. It’s embarrassing to know that many young people are left with this accessory in their hands, at an important moment in their lives, because it wasn’t made with them in mind”, comments Marta Rodrigues.
The bill is inspired by the #RespeitaMeuCapelo movement, created by the GUT São Paulo agency and Vult, a beauty brand from Grupo Boticário, and developed by Dendezeiro, an agender Bahian brand specializing in the plurality of bodies. The partnership estimates producing 1,000 units for graduations scheduled in the second semester at the Federal University of Southern Bahia and Zumbi dos Palmares, in São Paulo. As part of this legacy, the designs for the new mortarboards were made available free of charge to all universities that wish to reproduce the models through the landing page from the project.
“In a world where representation is essential, we designed solemn caps to embrace the richness of hair diversity. We celebrate the journeys of success and overcoming of those who complete their academic journey, marking a moment of achievement and pride. Our mortarboards are emblems of empowerment, inclusion and the celebration of identity. We are committed to promoting equality and representation in all aspects of life, starting with this solemn and significant moment”, points out Hisan Silva, CEO and creative director of Dendezeiro
The movement was launched with a mini-documentary, with the participation of Professor Dr. Joana Angélica, the first black dean of a university in Brazil, and with former university students recreating their graduation photos as they should have happened, with mortarboards that meet their needs. diversity of Brazilian hair. The campaign gained wide media coverage, generating organic reach of over 7.7 million people, through the press and social networks.
The bill has already been published in the Official Gazette of the Chamber of Salvador and remains in progress until a vote in the plenary of the House. If approved by councilors, the proposal will go to the mayor for sanction or veto.
Check out the campaign that inspired the project.
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