Contributions of the letter from the slave Esperança Garcia to the debate on racial ethnic relations in the school context

Abstract

This article conducts an exploratory analysis of the Letter of the Slave Esperança Garcia (1770), a historical document of great importance written by Esperança Garcia, a black woman enslaved in Piauí in the 18th century. The letter, addressed to the Governor of the Province, denounces the abuses suffered by her and other enslaved people, revealing the inhumane conditions and the racial oppressive system of the time. In addition to reporting the mistreatment, the document represents a manifestation of resistance and a demand for rights, highlighting the protagonism of Esperança Garcia in a period marked by exploitation and violence. The study is based on the theories of coloniality and structural racism proposed by authors such as Mignolo, Munanga, Guimarães and Quijano, which analyze the silencing of black voices and the historically constructed practices of racial exclusion. The research examines how these colonial practices still echo in the contemporary school environment, perpetuating prejudices and inequalities through the exclusion of Afro-Brazilian narratives. By analyzing Esperança Garcia's trajectory and the relevance of her letter, the article seeks to promote reflections on the impact of colonial legacies on current pedagogical practices and the need to incorporate Afro-Brazilian themes into the school curriculum, contributing to the recognition and appreciation of black histories and identities in Brazil.