I’ve been living in Brazil for nearly a decade now, and I’ve grown accustomed to many familiar and not-so-familiar aspects of this majority-Black nation. But there is one custom, funeral traditions, that always catches me by surprise. Funerals occur within 48 hours after a person has transitioned. There are various, longer public rituals of grief and commemoration which occur after the burial.
I want to dedicate this post to the recent loss of a tremendous Black leader, Luiz Alberto Santos, whose passing marks the end of an era of civil rights activism in Brazil. Like many other important figures in the Black diaspora, Alberto deserves to be a reference for everyone who respects the history and future of African descendants in the West.
Born in the quilombo community of Baixa do Guaí, Maragogipe (BA), Alberto’s life journey was a testament to his unwavering commitment to justice, civil rights and the empowerment of marginalized communities in North and South America.
Luiz Alberto’s impact on Brazilian civil rights was profound and his professional achievements reflected a career dedicated to dismantling racial inequality and championing workers’ rights. His legacy is not only one of passion and activism but also a remarkable series of accomplishments which have left an indelible mark on the landscape of Brazilian politics and social justice.
A central figure in the Brazilian Black Movement, Alberto co-founded the Unified Black Movement (MNU) and played a pivotal role in establishing the State Council of Quilombola Communities and Associations of Bahia (Ceaq). These organizations became crucial platforms for advocating racial equality, and under Alberto’s leadership, they laid the groundwork for a more inclusive and just society.
His tenure as a federal deputy in the Brazilian Federal Chamber from 1997 to 2015 was marked by proactive measures against racism and the creation of the Parliamentary Front in Defense of Racial Equality. Alberto’s impact went beyond rhetoric; he actively worked on regulatory initiatives, serving as the rapporteur of Decree 4.887/2003. This decree established procedures for the identification, recognition, delimitation, demarcation and titling of lands occupied by remnants of quilombola communities, a significant step toward securing the rights of historically marginalized groups.
Alberto’s legislative initiatives extended to proposing the law that successfully made Nov. 20 (Black History day) a national holiday. His involvement in committees such as Economic Development, Human Rights, Minorities and Racial Equality, Foreign Relations and National Defense and the Commission on Mines and Energy showcased a diverse and impactful legislative career.
In the 1980s, during the push for the full return of democracy in Brazil, Alberto actively represented the Black Movement in the Constituent Assembly. His advocacy for public education as a driver of social development and a tool for guaranteeing human rights to marginalized populations underscored a grassroots approach to social justice. This commitment was further demonstrated in his work on racial quotas for access to higher education.
Luiz Alberto’s role in the establishment of academic institutions, such as the Campus dos Malês of the University of International Integration of Afro-Brazilian Lusophony (Unilab) and the Center for Humanities and Letters Arts of the Federal University of Recôncavo da Bahia (CAHL/UFRB), showcased his dedication to expanding educational opportunities for Black and indigenous communities.
In Bahia, Alberto’s impact extended to his role as the first manager of the Secretariat for the Promotion of Racial Equality (Sepromi). His subsequent involvement in President Lula’s third government transition team and his role as a Special Advisor to the Office of the Secretariat of Justice and Human Rights of Bahia (SJDH) highlighted his enduring commitment to institutional articulations and civil society representations.
Beyond the corridors of power, Alberto’s engagement with social issues continued. During an event celebrating International Human Rights Day in Bahia on Dec. 12, he announced ordinance 57/2023, establishing a Working Group responsible for formulating guidelines to confront racism in consumer relations.
This exemplified his commitment to addressing contemporary issues and adapting his advocacy to the evolving challenges faced by marginalized communities.
Alberto’s political trajectory was not without personal sacrifice. His involvement in the mobilizations for the full return of democracy, his representation of the Black Movement and his commitment to social justice made him a target during challenging political times, including the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff in 2016.
The outpouring of condolences from political figures, state agencies and social movements following Alberto’s passing reflects his profound impact. Bahian Governor Jerônimo Rodrigues declared three days of official mourning in Bahia, emphasizing Alberto’s role as a trailblazer in the fight for racial equality.
Secretary of Justice and Human Rights, Felipe Freitas, shared a personal reflection on Luiz Alberto’s influence on his own trajectory, highlighting their shared history in the PT Youth and their collaborations during Alberto’s term as a federal deputy. Other secretaries of the State Government, including Angela Guimarães (Sepromi), André Curvello (Secom), Angelo Almeida (SDE) and Fabya Reis (Seades), echoed sentiments of sorrow and recognition of Luiz Alberto’s contributions.
Ministers Anielle Franco, of Racial Equality and Margareth Menezes, of Culture, joined the chorus of condolences, emphasizing Luiz Alberto’s role as a beacon of hope and justice in the Black movement of Bahia. Political organizations, such as the Single Federation of Oil Tankers (FUP) and the General Coordinator of the Quilombola State Council of the Quilombola Communities and Associations of Bahia (Ceaq), Florisvaldo Andrade, released statements acknowledging Alberto’s dedication to social justice.
Even President Lula expressed his sadness on social media, recognizing Alberto’s contributions as a leader of the Black movement and a fierce fighter for national sovereignty. These tributes show the intricate nature of Alberto’s impact on Brazilian society.
Atlantic Archives joins the global community to reflect and celebrate the passing of this influential figure. May the echoes of Luiz Alberto’s work resonate in the ongoing struggle for civil rights and social justice.
