Does a “postracial” society exist in the Americas? In the past few years, Brazil has implemented trailblazing, yet controversial, affirmative action policies that have turned attention to persistent racial discrimination and exclusion in political, economic and educational spheres. This conference will examine the historical trajectory of race-based policies in Brazil, affirmative action vis-a-vis multiculturalism as a model for racial justice in Brazil and the U.S., the extant everyday violence of racial exclusion in rural black Brazilian communities, and affirmative action as a way of reclaiming “a birthright” for Afro-Brazilians. These topics will invite us to think about the historical, political and social power structures that continue to warrant a discussion of race, racism and affirmative action. Visit hrc.rice.ed/brazil/ for more information