Erica Malunguinho facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Erica Malunguinho
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Malunguinho in 2018
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| State Deputy for São Paulo | |
| Assumed office 1 February 2019 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 November 1981 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil |
| Political party | PSOL |
Erica Malunguinho da Silva was born on November 20, 1981, in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. She is a Brazilian politician who made history. On October 7, 2018, she was elected to the Legislative Assembly of São Paulo. She received about 54,400 votes. This made her the first transgender person elected to a state legislature in Brazil.
Malunguinho also started a special place called Aparelha Luzia. It is an urban quilombo, which is a cultural space for black people. It helps people of African descent connect and support each other. It's also a place for art, talks, and performances about black culture.
After high school, Malunguinho moved to São Paulo. There, she began to understand and embrace her transgender identity. She went to the University of São Paulo. Later, she worked as an artist, activist, and teacher. Malunguinho's political goals focused on five main ideas. These included bringing new ideas to politics and supporting basic human rights.
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Erica Malunguinho's Early Life
Erica Malunguinho da Silva was born on November 20, 1981, in Recife, Pernambuco. She was raised by her mother and other family members. She grew up surrounded by black and indigenous culture. Her mother, who was a nurse, supported the family.
The name "Malunguinho" comes from a special tradition. It refers to a spirit from the forests of Pernambuco. This area is where her ancestors lived. The word "Malungo" means "comrade" or "companion" in an African language. Enslaved people used this word to refer to others who had also crossed the ocean and started a new life.
Malunguinho shared that even within her family, racism was present. She said, "We were always comparing who had the widest nose, or the nappiest hair."
Discovering Her Identity
When she was 19, Malunguinho moved to São Paulo. She felt she needed to "live another life." In São Paulo, she began to understand her gender identity better. She realized she was a trans woman. She said, "I was always trans. I was living a gay life and a trans life at the same time." With her mother's help, Malunguinho chose her new name.
Over the next few years, Malunguinho studied at the University of São Paulo. She earned a master's degree in art history. She worked as an artist, creating photography, performances, writing, and drawings. For 15 years, she also worked as an activist and teacher. She helped train teachers on topics like art, culture, and politics.
Aparelha Luzia: A Cultural Hub
In 2016, Malunguinho changed her art studio into a cultural and political center. It is called Aparelha Luzia. This place quickly became known as a very important black cultural space in Brazil.
A quilombo is a special community. Historically, these were places where enslaved people found freedom. Today, quilombos are often rural black communities. They keep their African heritage and culture alive. They also fight against racism.
Aparelha Luzia is an urban quilombo. It is seen as a key place for black people to find support. It helps them deal with the racism they face every day. It's also a place to share art and ideas from black culture. The quilombo hosts parties, classes, debates, and birthdays. It helps black people connect and focus on issues important to them.
Aparelha Luzia is in a large warehouse. Almost every day, it has live music, art, and gatherings. Malunguinho made sure there is no entrance fee. This way, as many people as possible can visit. Over 200,000 people have visited Aparelha Luzia. Malunguinho wants black people of all genders and sexual identities to feel welcome and safe there.
Erica Malunguinho's Political Journey
At 36, Malunguinho became the first transgender woman elected to a state congress in Brazil. A big reason she decided to run was the murder of Marielle Franco. Marielle Franco was an LGBTQ Afro-Brazilian politician. Malunguinho said, "I cried a lot when I heard about Marielle’s murder. Her political project was just wiped out." She felt a strong need to turn her sadness into positive action.
Malunguinho joined the Partido Socialismo e Liberdade (PSOL). This is one of Brazil's most left-leaning parties. Her campaign slogan was "Without Fear of Changing São Paulo."
Fighting for Rights
Malunguinho wants to fight racism. She plans to do this by promoting social tourism in quilombos and indigenous lands. This would help fight discrimination and make minority groups more visible. It would also support a sustainable economy.
She has also promised to fight for the rights of the LGBTQ community. She focuses on the basic rights of trans people. She wants to help them find jobs. Malunguinho also plans to support programs for homeless people. She wants to improve housing programs. She aims to ensure that hospitals and police stations treat people who have been hurt with kindness.
Her Campaign Goals
Malunguinho's campaign had five main goals:
- New Political Ideas: She believed it was time for new voices in politics. She wanted to represent groups often left out, like artists, educators, LGBTQ people, and black communities.
- Wider Discussions: She wanted to connect everyday people to politics. She believed people sometimes forget that politics affects real lives. She wanted people to see politicians as real people, not just machines.
- The Idea of the Quilombo: As the founder of Aparelha Luzia, the quilombo idea was central. She saw quilombos as important political spaces. They can help people understand and change old ideas about marginalized groups. Quilombos can bring people together to create their own stories.
- Basic Rights: Malunguinho felt that many politicians did not truly understand inequality. She wanted to fight for those excluded due to race, gender, or social class. She aimed to push for better mobility, economy, health, education, culture, media, and religious freedom for everyone.
- Political Challenges: As a black, transgender woman, Malunguinho knew entering politics would be hard. She faced a government mostly made up of white, heterosexual, cisgender men. She hoped to bring new ideas and a new way of doing politics to society.
Challenges She Faces
Malunguinho faces many challenges because of who she is. Brazil has been a very dangerous country for transgender people. Also, black women are not well represented in Brazil's government. After the 2018 election, the Senate had no increase in black women. The Lower House saw a small increase, but black women still hold a small number of seats.
