Unsubmissive Trajectories: Black Women Judges in Labor Justice"
black women; judiciary; law; labor justice
This thesis aims to analyze the trajectory of Black women judges in the Brazilian Labor Court, incorporating Afro-referenced epistemologies concerning the intersectionality of race and gender, institutional racism, and whiteness in their experiences, from preparing for the entrance exam to assuming office. The first chapter will examine, based on all reports released by the National Council of Justice X 2 (CNJ), the low percentage of Black individuals in the Brazilian judiciary, a situation further exacerbated for Black women. This reflects the Brazilian state's failure to combat racism, even with legislation designed to reduce racial inequalities in positions of power. The second chapter will explore how the selection process for the judiciary perpetuates racism and sexism, drawing on critiques by Black intellectuals on the role of law in sustaining a legal culture that preserves the privileges of whiteness in high-ranking positions within the Judiciary. The third chapter will analyze the National Black Judges meetings, highlighting the fractures caused by racism within institutions and the significance of this movement for Black judges. The fourth chapter will examine the social mobility of Black women in the labor judiciary, addressing the challenges they face in career retention and advancement. Finally, the fifth chapter will discuss the challenges and future directions regarding the role of the Labor Judiciary and the ideal of social justice, reflecting on antiracist policies and the necessary transformations to foster racial inclusion within the Labor Judiciary.