THAT THE "CORDIAL MAN" DIES - A criticism on the book Roots of Brazil, by Sérgio Buarque de Holanda

Abstract

The article search to discuss some paradigms produced by Sérgio Buarque de Holanda, especially the concept of "cordial man", which, in my understanding, reflect the Brazilian oligarchic thinking, repeating and deepening the theses of Gilberto Freyre.These theses sustain that we experienced in our country an amiable slavery and fraternal relationship between enslavers and enslaved (with the owner representing at most the role of a severe patriarch) the result of their supposed "cordial character" and a passive subjection of these. This relationship would have as consequence the construction of a "racial democracy" from the moment that the slavery became illegal. It also criticizes the author's interpretation of the facts and processes that led to the constitution of the Brazilian nation and the disqualification of the Indians, blacks and Portuguese people, who were responsible for a supposed failure of this nation due to the singularities inherent in its condition Ethnic/racial.