Paulo Soares

Department of Hispanic Languages and Literature
Guiliano Fellow, Spring 2023
paulo soares

Uncovering the White Gauchos: A Postcolonial Examination of Racial Identity in Southern Brazil (Brazil)

The Guiliano Graduate Student Fellowship was instrumental in advancing my research project “Uncovering the White Gauchos: A Postcolonial Examination of Racial Identity in Southern Brazil.” This project investigates the construction of white

identity in Southern Brazil, focusing on artistic and historical narratives from the region. During the fellowship period, I conducted fieldwork and interviews across different cities in the region while connecting with contemporary artists and writers.

My doctoral dissertation contributes to the understanding of racial and moral blemishes (mácula racial e moral) as foundational elements of a fractured Brazilian identity, emphasizing how these blemishes reveal a dual structure rooted in neocolonial racial hierarchies. The mácula operates as both a persistent stigma and a point of internal contradiction within Brazilian identity, where the ideals of mestiçagem coexist uneasily with an enduring Eurocentric hierarchy.

Through a postcolonial lens, my research explores the ways in which whiteness and gaucho identity, particularly in the South of Brazil, function as markers of cultural distinction. These identities are not merely localized phenomena but are deeply embedded in broader narratives of power and race, drawing on historical discourses that valorize European heritage while marginalizing racial and cultural hybridity. This duality manifests in extreme forms, such as contemporary secessionist movements in Southern Brazil, which articulate a rejection of Brazilian mestiçagem while claiming an exceptional, Europeanized regional identity.

At its core, my work grapples with the tensions between identity as a form of self determination and as a product of historical forces. The gaucho identity, for instance, emerges as a hybrid construct that simultaneously embraces its European roots and engages with Brazilian narratives of mestiçagem. This duality complicates the region's cultural positioning, as it oscillates between inclusion in and exclusion from the broader national identity. These insights underscore the challenges of defining the dissertation's scope, given the potential for these frameworks to expand into secondary research avenues, particularly those addressing marginalized voices and counter-narratives within Brazilian literature.

These challenges prompted the creation of a secondary, closely related research line. This new project focuses on literature produced by individuals marked by the mácula, as well as the dynamics surrounding those who "give voice" to the maculados. At this stage, I realized that such intermediaries cannot be entirely transparent, as the act of voicing the experiences of others often serves as a form of mass control through a metonymic operation. This insight led me to study the continued reception of figures such as Carolina Maria de Jesus, whose works and legacy exemplify the complexities of representation and the power structures embedded in such narratives. Additionally, the project examines the emergence of new Black voices in the South, including José Falero and Jefferson Tenório. While initially drafted as part of the dissertation, over 150 pages of analysis on this topic were excluded to maintain the project's focus as a student thesis. These analyses will be revisited in subsequent articles derived from this line of research.

Together, the dissertation and the secondary project build upon a shared theoretical framework, offering a broader and more nuanced perspective on the evolving narratives of identity in Brazil. This dual approach enriches the understanding of cultural distinctions in Southern Brazil and highlights the literary contributions of marginalized voices, opening pathways for further scholarly exploration and publication.

The primary objectives of the project included:

Collecting data through archival research and interviews with local experts.
Producing a scholarly article for publication, which will also form part of the doctoral dissertation.
Expanding the academic and artistic network in the region.

These objectives were not only met but also exceeded, as the project provided opportunities to engage deeply with the cultural and intellectual landscape of Southern Brazil. In 2023, I was able to dedicate almost exclusively to research, an invaluable opportunity made possible, in large part, by the support of the Guiliano Graduate Student Fellowship.

During my visit to Porto Alegre, I explored the city's key historical landmarks, including its positivist monuments in the old downtown area, which offered rich insights into the cultural and historical narratives of the region. Additionally, I visited the Casa de Cultura Mario Quintana, a cultural hub dedicated to the renowned Brazilian poet and attended a performance by hip-hop groups from Alvorada, a peripheral area of Porto Alegre. Unfortunately, Porto Alegre recently experienced a devastating flood. I plan to return at the end of the year to continue research and further engage with its cultural scene.

In Erechim, I had the privilege of meeting my advisor, Professor Javier Uriarte, and participating alongside him in an academic event. This opportunity not only reinforced our mentor-mentee relationship but also deepened my engagement with the intellectual landscape of Southern Brazil. I also attended the book launch of Édipo na Colônia, authored by Paulo Damin and Gustavo Matte, in both Chapecó and Caxias do Sul. This work explores themes of identity in the interior regions of Southern Brazil, directly aligning with my research focus.

Furthermore, I strengthened connections with emerging writers and intellectuals from the region, including Paulo Damin, Rodrigo Adriano Machado, Mariana Berta, and Gustavo Matte, whose perspectives and works have significantly enriched my understanding of contemporary literature in the area. This experience also provided an unexpected but meaningful opportunity for me to share my own work as a fiction writer with these individuals. Their recognition of my creative contributions led to a dynamic exchange of ideas, with many treating me as a peer within the literary community. This mutual engagement deepened our connection and further integrated me into the vibrant literary and intellectual networks of Southern Brazil. I also have unedited interview recordings with both Gustavo Matte and Rodrigo Adriano Machado, which will serve as valuable resources for future research and publications.

Another highlight of this period was my involvement in the creation of the book Chapecó é um rio, written by Dr. Alice Souto, a psychologist. I contributed as a text preparator and advisor for this project, which, though still unpublished, reflects the vibrant intellectual and cultural exchanges facilitated by this fellowship.

To consolidate these experiences and extend their impact, I initiated an independent endeavor called Tlön – Ateliê de Ideias. This digital community platform is inspired by the values and discoveries I met during my dissertation research. It aims to foster literary discussions and engagement with communities in the interior regions of Southern Brazil. Through Tlön, I hope to create a sustainable network for exploring and appreciating regional literature, grounded in the insights gained during this transformative fellowship.

These activities demonstrate the extensive reach and transformative impact of the Guiliano Graduate Student Fellowship, enabling me to deepen my academic research while actively contributing to the cultural and literary discourse of Southern Brazil.

The Guiliano Graduate Student Fellowship provided me with an invaluable opportunity to focus nearly exclusively on my research throughout 2023 and into the beginning of 2024. This support not only facilitated significant advancements in my doctoral dissertation but also enabled the creation of supplementary projects and outputs that will extend the reach and impact of my academic work.

Key achievements include:

Producing over 400 pages of draft material, which will contribute to my dissertation and at least three scholarly articles exploring identity in Southern Brazilian literature.
Conducting fieldwork and archival research in key cultural hubs, such as Porto Alegre, Chapecó, and Erechim, while fostering collaborations with prominent intellectuals and writers from the region.
Building sustainable academic networks and establishing Tlön – Ateliê de Ideias, a digital platform for literary and cultural discussions inspired by my research framework.

The fellowship's financial support was critical in allowing me to acquire rare and essential research materials, attend events, and extend my stay in Chapecó, where I completed a significant portion of my writing. These accomplishments reflect the transformative impact of the fellowship, which has both enriched my academic contributions and strengthened my connection to the cultural and intellectual landscape of Southern Brazil.

Looking ahead, I am eager to expand on this research through publications, public engagement, and continued academic collaborations. The support of the Guiliano Graduate Student Fellowship has been pivotal in advancing my career and reinforcing the importance of investigating identity through the lens of literature and cultural studies.