Racism: USP athlete is accused by text on Instagram – 03/11/2024 – Education

A publication by the USP (University of São Paulo) pharmacy athletics was accused of having racist content by students.

Last Thursday (7), the group released a message on Instagram to present its new direction. The communications team’s idea was to imitate the cover of a playlist on the Spotify platform, but with the image of the newly elected president in the center, her name, and some sayings.

“To give orders and whips. Play Sinhá’s hits”, the text read. Sinhá was the treatment that slaves gave their mistress.

On Friday (8), the athlete deleted the post and apologized for what happened. “We now understand that what was said has been misinterpreted and we are sorry for anyone and everyone who felt offended,” she said in a statement.

“Racism is a crime and in no way would we want to send any message other than that”, they continued.

It turns out that, with the initial message on the air for more than 24 hours, thousands of opposing comments had already been made. Furthermore, shares criticizing the athlete appeared on other social networks.

“There’s no point in deleting atlética farma USP, we’ve all seen a clearly racist post,” wrote a user on X, formerly of Twitter.

The management of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences announced an inquiry.

“We emphasize that this board considers any and all forms of prejudice to be inadmissible and is already taking legal action with the competent bodies of the rectory,” the board wrote on its official website.

The human rights center, the ombudsman’s office and the USP inclusion and belonging committee must also participate in the investigations and give their opinion on possible punishments for those involved.

Atlética is an association formed by students from one or more courses at a college for sports representation, like a club. It is managed voluntarily by students.

In general, the team has a president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, marketing director, sports director and events director.