April 11, 2022

12:04

Marcela Leiros – from Cenarium Magazine

MANAUS – A video recorded during the mobilization of the 18th edition of the Terra Livre Camp (ATL) this Saturday, 9, in Brasilia (DF), caused outrage by showing what is being considered sexism and fetishization of indigenous women’s bodies by a PM. The moment when an unidentified military police officer comments on the naked bodies of women present at the demonstration was recorded by influencer Tukumã Pataxó.

“These little Indians with their tits sticking out”, was what the policeman implied in the video made at the Praça dos Três Poderes. To CENARIUM, Pataxó told that there were two “relatives” – the way the indigenous people treat each other – taking pictures with the Brazilian Flag, in front of a group of police officers. “They started to curse, calling us m*** [bad names]. Then I started filming and asking ‘What are you talking about? They tried to intimidate, so I posted it [the video],” said Pataxó.

“I was outraged, and I thought I couldn’t just stay in the video. This kind of commentary is not new today, women’s and men’s bodies are very fetishized. We need to show the world that it doesn’t quite work that way,” he further said.

On Instagram, when posting the material, the influencer questioned: “Until when will our bodies and territory be violated, until when will the body of the indigenous woman be fetishized?

Apib speaks out about the behavior of the MP

The executive coordinator of the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (Apib), Sonia Guajajara, also expressed on Instagram about the video.

“In addition to being ‘obliged’ to face institutional racism, we still have to face situations like this from those who should protect our lives. Suitable measures need to be taken by the State in the face of situations like this that legitimize violence. All our rejection and our fight! They will not pass”, she said.

Pataxó also explained to CENARIUM that Apib’s legal department requested the images and videos recorded. The report contacted the lawyer of the joint, Eloy Terena, via message application, but did not get a reply as of the publication of this story. The Secretariat of Public Safety (SSP) of the Federal District was also contacted, via e-mail, but did not respond to inquiries about the MP’s behavior.