Conexão Sociedade: Entrevista com doutor em literatura e autor o livro "modernismo negro", Jorge Augusto

·21 min·2 clips

Jorge Augusto won the Jabuti Prize for 'Modernismo Negro' but warns against framing it as a meritocratic triumph.

The episode features an interview with Jorge Augusto, a professor at UESB and UFBA who won the 2025 Jabuti Academic Prize for his book 'Modernismo Negro'. He begins by discussing the award, emphasizing that it should not be seen as an individual meritocratic achievement but as part of a broader network of Black research. Augusto explains the book's focus on Lima Barreto and its cover, which uses AI to show Barreto smiling, challenging stereotypes that Black literature must only address pain and resistance. He critiques the scarcity of validation circuits for Black intellectual production, noting that while awards like the Jabuti help, they often open doors for individuals rather than issues. The host asks about the impact of literature on Black youth, and Augusto acknowledges its utility in fostering self-esteem and collective destiny, but stresses the need for knowledge to reach public schools and communities. He details structural barriers in education, pointing out high dropout rates for Black men due to economic pressures and outdated curricula. Augusto shares an anecdote from a book launch at Unicamp, where he was surprised to find students unfamiliar with Black literature, highlighting regional academic gaps. He lists several Black researchers from Bahia and Minas Gerais who are advancing the field. The conversation concludes with Augusto advocating for Black intellectuals to use media like radio to communicate directly with marginalized audiences, moving beyond insular academic circles.

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