The imagery of silenced black women: a universe of symbols and meanings

Abstract

This paper connects two perspectives, taking into account the theoretical references of social representations (Moscovici, 1978; Faar e Moscovici, 1984), as developed in Silva’s thesis (2000), and the studies of the field of imagery (Durand, 1989) on being a teacher, as developed in Peres’ thesis (1999). The connection of these two points of view focuses on the testimonies of 15 black female teachers about their schooling processes, collected in an investigation carried out in the city of Pelotas-RS, in 1999. The symbolic element that integrates the two theoretical fields is the “Hard Clay Legend” (Silveira, 1993). Thus, this paper results from a collective desire and dialogue in the Study and Research Group on Imagery, Education and Communication. It has the purpose of discussing the symbols and meanings present in Afro-Brazilian culture, particularly in the life stories of black teachers. Besides presenting the possibility of different interpretations of this topic, it intends to show the richness, diversity and complexity that can be found in human imagery by using the women’s voices and the legend.

Key words: imagery, education, black women.