Voices of a female white/non-white Brazilian Educator

Abstract

In this thesis, the author employs testimonio to present her voices as a female Brazilian educator who has always been considered white in her home country, and who comes to study at a university in the United States of America. This move re-articulates her identity as she is now considered non-white. Throughout her decolonizing journey among race, nationality, and gender, she will analyze her narratives of race and white privilege both in Brazil and in the United States. By expressing her voice as a woman of Color in the United States, the author will review her Brazilian identity and ethnicity, intertwining her personal, academic, and professional experiences. The testimonio methodology is grounded in critical race theory and critical consciousness studies by Paulo Freire to emphasize the need to focus on denouncing dehumanizing social structures and to announce social transformation. By sharing her voices, the author intends to contribute to the understanding of how educational institutions mediate their educational experiences for white and non-white students.