Brazil’s president wants to reserve 20% of jobs in country for blacks
Brazil had more African slaves on its shores than any other country in North America.
The country’s president plans to ask congress to pass legislation that would reserve 20 percent of the nation’s government jobs for blacks.
About half of Brazil’s 204 million people are black – more than in any nation except Nigeria. Blacks face persistent socio-economic inequality in Brazil, and President Dilma Rousseff says her proposal will help reverse that. She says “affirmative action is essential” for creating equal opportunities.
Congress has not given a time-frame for when they will begin debating the proposal. President Rousseff also announced on Tuesday that by the end of next year, her government will have sent a doctor to each of Brazil’s “quilombos,” which are settlements founded by descendants of slaves in the country.
Thoughts on Rousseff’s proposal?
Should 20 percent of the country’s government jobs be reserved for blacks?
Sound off below!
