Ocupação Itaú Cultural

Abdias Nascimento

Franca (SP), 1914 – Rio de Janeiro (RJ), 2011

Ninety-seven years of an intense life. This is how Abdias Nascimento’s biography could be summarized in one sentence. An activist, regarded by many people as the most important figure in the fight against racism in Brazil in the 20^th century, a fine artist, professor, poet, actor, theatre director, and politician. Abdias used to be many things. He was many things. He is many things. Abdias remains, as important as his legacy is, in the power of his word.

Follow (here and throughout the other sections) the timeline covering the milestones in the life, oeuvre, and struggle of Abdias Nascimento.

1914 – Born in Franca, state of Sao Paulo, on March 14, son to shoemaker José Ferreira do Nascimento and confectioner Georgina. His parents are devout Catholic, but his mother also sympathizes with Kardecism. Altogether, the couple eventually had six boys and a girl.

Childhood (undated) – Lives in the neighborhood of Cidade Nova and belongs to the black community of Engenho do Mato, near the northern border of the city of Franca.

(c.) 1922/1927 – Contributes to the household expenses by delivering milk and meat in the houses of middle-class families and cleaning medical offices. He also works as head of the warehouse with the Departamento de Companhia Elétrica [Electric Company] of Franca. After completing elementary and middle schools, he is admitted to the accounting night school at Ateneu Francano.

1929 – Visits Sao Paulo for the first time as a sprinter representing the city of Franca. Sees the parade in favor of Júlio Prestes, who was running for President of the Republic as opposed to the candidacy of Getúlio Vargas. Elected the following year, Júlio Prestes would suspend the prohibition of admission of black people into the Civil Guard and of black children into the “eugenic babies” contests promoted by the Serviço Sanitário de São Paulo [Sao Paulo Health Service].

1929/1930 – Abdias moves to Sao Paulo and volunteers to join the Army. Admitted to the 2^nd Heavy Artillery Group, headquartered in Quitaúna (Osasco), he takes part in the revolution triggered by the election of Júlio Prestes (1930) and the deposition of Washington Luís in favor of Getúlio Vargas, who was namedPresident in November 1930. In this political landscape, Abdias does not take part in the fighting that took place during the 1930 Revolution. In the same year, he loses his mother and returns to Franca for the funeral.

HARD WORK that resonates in my blood
blood of my great-grandfather drips from your scythe
the scythe of your violation
still cuts the cry of my grandmother

BED of black blood
silenced in fright
the cry of a tragedy not forgotten
a crime neither punished nor forgiven
they burn my entrails

Heavy CHEST at the weight of the lead-like night
a dew of bitter gall
sprinkling my mother’s footsteps
in the compulsory offer of her breast

ELECTIONS lost
in the attics of a foreign world
pound… escudo… dollar… milreis
Franca asleep to my father’s serenades
under whose sky my hope he wove
my adolescence dried up
and my outrage grew

CONCEPT matured and assumed
a heart emancipated to the wind
is not the same slow growing
that rises from the roots
into the violent fruit

PREJUDICE squashed in the feat
destroyed at the concept
burning hard work undone
milky perfect love
no election
elected on the breast
of the headstrong hope
where I lie down

Buffalo, January 25, 1979

Poem published in the book Axés do Sangue e da Esperança (Orikis) [Axés of Blood and Hope (Orikis)].