Almost white, almost black, so poor? Nationality, race and Brazilians in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti

Abstract

Based on semi-directive interviews with Brazilian blue helmets who participated in MINUSTAH (Mission de Nations Unies pour la Stabilisation en Haïti) and direct observation in Port-au-Prince, the article seeks to analyze the ways in which Brazilian military personnel mobilize national categories to apply them to peace operation contexts, and how they make nationality exist by using elements of “Brazilianness” to justify their actions. “Brazilianness” is what provides references and intelligibility that allow political actors to explain why and how they do what they do. In doing so, they reinforce and keep alive certain ideas about the nation and nationality. Contrary to some of the literature on the subject, I propose that the discourse on a “Brazilian success” in the UN mission is linked to a particular form of “colonialism of power”. The article is structured in two parts: the first offers a brief explanation of MINUSTAH and what Brazil's engagement in the mission was like, especially from the point of view of decision-makers. The second presents the results of my fieldwork, analyzing how the Brazilian military personnel interviewed show that they understand the mission and the Haitians from the point of view of colonial logics that establish racial divisions within the national territory and between Brazilians.