#afrobrasileirx

 Maysa

“Maysa is a project about race and gender in Brazil. I met Maysa during the final contest for “Young Miss Brazil”, in April 2014, she was there registering. On this day I discovered that this contest has two categories, one for black people and another for white people. Young Miss Brazil and Young Miss Brazil Black Beauty; created to encourage black girls to participate. Racism is, unfortunately, very common, although approximately 50% of Brazilians are African descendants. The vast majority live in a perpetually marginalized states. Months later, Maysa contacted me for a photo-shoot for her personal portfolio, she wanted to give a try to the 2015 contest. What was supposed to be a simple gift, became a work in progress. We started to get in touch, and month after month we developed a strong friendship. One that is helping me to be aware of the tough reality of my own country; racism, sexism, social exclusion, and a struggle to survive. In 2015 Maysa won the title Young Miss Brazil Black Beauty.

I’m seeing Maysa and her family, fighting to get to a comfortable place, and social recognition. And what is more exciting, I’m seeing the coming of age of a wonderful human being that represents a lot of values that my country is slowly losing.” - Luisa Dorr