A RAISIN IN THE SUN: ANALYSIS AND REFLECTIONS ON STRUCTURAL RACISM IN THE UNITED STATES AND IN BRAZIL

Abstract

This paper analyzes and discusses the play A Raisin in the Sun, written by Lorraine Hansberry in 1958. The main objectives of this study, which was initially presented at the V SELLI – V Seminar on Studies of Literatures in English Language at UFC in November 2024, are to identify, discuss, and analyze the most relevant instances, the main occurrences, and representations in the above mentioned play that showcase structural racism in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s. In particular, this research will study possible socioeconomic aspects and impacts related to the structure of the housing system and the evident segregation of African-American communities forced to reside in areas, regions, and ghettos with higher rental costs and prices, nevertheless with more precarious and limited infrastructure of services and economic opportunities. Additionally, this work will briefly seek to draw correlations between this scenario and the housing and socio-historical situation in Rio de Janeiro-RJ and Fortaleza-CE in relation to the black population (cf. IBGE “pardos” and “negros”), housing conditions and the consequent impacts and harmful effects of structural racism in Brazil on these Afro-Brazilian communities.