Q&A with Djamila Ribeiro

Brazilian philosopher and Journalist Djamila Ribeiro visited the UGA Latin American and Caribbean Studies Institute (LACSI) in October to deliver a lecture, “Where We Stand: A Look at Black Feminist Thought in Brazil,” and speak with Portuguese Flagship students and faculty.

Students enjoyed a unique opportunity to network with Ribeiro. Honors Journalism and Comparative Literature student Bridget Goodman conducted this one-on-one interview with Ribeiro:

Q: What are you currently working on?

A: Right now, I’m balancing several important projects. This fall semester, I’m serving as a visiting professor at the Andrés Bello Chair at NYU. I’m also launching the first English translation of my book, Where We Stand, in various cities across the U.S. The book is being published by Yale University Press with a foreword by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, which is incredibly exciting. Additionally, I continue to serve on the advisory board of the Fundação Padre Anchieta, which oversees TV Cultura in Brazil, and I’m part of the Endowment Fund at the University of São Paulo, which funds scholarships for socially vulnerable students. I also preside over the Feminismos Plurais Institute, where we support women in vulnerable situations. At the moment, I’m focused on releasing a guidebook for women facing domestic violence, alongside developing a new book. There’s a lot going on, but it’s all deeply connected to my commitment to justice and equality.

Q: How has the reception of Where We Stand been so far, both in Brazil and in the U.S.?

A: The reception has been very gratifying. In Brazil, Where We Stand was well received, and it felt like a natural continuation of my previous work, particularly Lugar de Fala. I think the book resonates because it speaks directly to issues of race, feminism, and the complexities of being a Black woman in a globalized world. It’s also been exciting to see it reach a broader audience in the U.S. with the English translation. I’ve had some very thoughtful conversations with readers, and I’m especially grateful for the discussions around race and gender that have emerged from the book. The foreword by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has also been a key point of connection. Her perspective on my work has added depth and further visibility to the book, which is a gift.

Q: What was the biggest challenge in publishing Where We Stand and its translation?

A: The biggest challenge for me was navigating the complexities of the publishing industry—especially in a continental-sized country like Brazil. With Lugar de Fala, I helped launch the Feminismos Plurais collection, which aimed to democratize access to knowledge and elevate Black authors. That process was incredibly challenging, from finding the right publisher to curating works that could speak to our shared experiences. When it came to the U.S., the challenge was ensuring that my work was translated authentically, capturing the cultural nuances and historical context behind the words. Translation, especially from Portuguese to English, is never just a linguistic exercise; it's a political one. I’m grateful to Padma Viswanathan for her thoughtful and nuanced translation of Where We Stand, which I think does justice to the heart of the book.

Q: Can you share a bit more about your work with the Feminismos Plurais Institute?

A: The Feminismos Plurais Institute is one of the initiatives I’m most proud of. It’s a collective project that focuses on supporting women—especially Black and Indigenous women—who face vulnerabilities like domestic violence, poverty, or systemic inequality. Through the Institute, we’ve created a space for feminist action that is inclusive, intersectional, and grounded in our shared experiences. One of our key goals is to provide women with the resources and knowledge they need to navigate the various systems that often work against them. Right now, I’m focused on releasing a guidebook for women in situations of domestic violence, which I hope will serve as both a practical and emotional tool for empowerment.

Q: How has the translation of your work into English impacted your ability to reach a broader audience?

A: Seeing my work translated into English has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It opens up my ideas to a wider audience, which, in turn, sparks more conversations about the themes I explore in my writing—issues of race, gender, and the lived experiences of Black women. But translation is not just about language; it's about the transfer of cultural experiences. It’s vital to me that the translation process preserves the integrity of my ideas and the context behind them, so I feel a deep gratitude for my translator, Padma Viswanathan, who has worked tirelessly to make sure that the essence of the work remains intact. I’ve also been able to connect with more readers and activists in the U.S., which has been an inspiring and humbling experience.

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to students?

A: My advice would be to be patient and move with intention. As a woman of Candomblé, an Afro-Brazilian religion that honors the orixás, I’m guided by the wisdom of Oxóssi, my father orixá. Oxóssi teaches us that, like the hunter with only one arrow, patience and precision are key in achieving our goals. It’s tempting to rush, to try to solve everything at once, but sometimes waiting, reflecting, and acting with care are just as important as taking immediate action. Education is a powerful tool, but it’s not just about acquiring knowledge—it’s about knowing when and how to use it effectively.

Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of?

A: I’m most proud of the Feminismos Plurais collection, which has allowed us to democratize knowledge and literature in Brazil. The publishing industry in Brazil has long been dominated by white men, so creating a space for Black authors and scholars was a major step toward challenging that. This collection is one of the ways I’ve been able to contribute to a shift in the intellectual landscape, ensuring that voices like mine and other Black scholars’ are heard and valued.

Q: What is something you haven’t yet done but would like to?

A: One thing I’d love to do is travel more in Asia and Oceania, particularly to Papua New Guinea. It’s a place that fascinates me, and I would love to experience its unique cultures and landscapes. The history and the people of that part of the world are so rich, and I think it would offer me new perspectives and insights for my own work.

Q: Finally, what would you say to your 20-year-old self?

A: I would tell my 20-year-old self to trust her voice and not be afraid to speak out, even when it feels difficult or isolating. I would remind her that resilience and courage are powerful companions, and that even in moments of great loss or hardship, there’s strength to be found. I lost both of my parents around that time, and I think I would have benefited from hearing that the pain would pass, but the lessons learned from it would shape the work I would do in the future. And most importantly, I would remind her that her voice, as a Black woman, carries weight, and she has the power to contribute to changing the world.

Image: Djamila Ribeiro during her lecture to LACSI students and faculty on Oct. 17, 2024. (Photo/Cris Lira)