The courage of a black woman who refused to be silenced goes through more than a century and gets new life on stage. On Monday (November 17th), at 7 pm, the auditorium of the Court of Justice of the State of Tocantins (TJTO) receives the show on "Silenced Voices: Struggle of Paula for Freedom", a montage that illuminates a real trajectory of resistance, memory and justice.
Held by the Judiciary of the state of Tocantins, through the Commission for Memory Management and the Superior School of the Judges of the State of Tocantins (Esmat), the presentation has free admission and free classification, and it brings to the stage a true story that breaks the silence.
Played by the Actress and Dancer Meire Maria Monteiro, alongside the Vozes de Ébano (Voices of Ebony) Group, Paula is presented to the public as a woman who, even imprisoned by the laws and customs of her time, dared to claim her humanity. In 1858, she won the right to buy her freedom in court, three decades before the Golden Law.
The story, recorded in documents preserved by the Judiciary of the state of Tocantins and digitized by Esmat, processed in the former District of São João da Palma, now municipality of Paranã, in the southeast of the state of Tocantins. The play parts from this historical process of emancipation to build a narrative that sews past and present and connects the slavery of yesterday to the barriers that still cross the life of black women in Brazil.
Art and memory
Idealized by Justice Angela Issa Haonat, the show brings together dramaturgy of Cinthia Abreu and Fran Santos, with general direction of the civil servers of the Judiciary, Whebert Araújo and Valdeir Santana. The result is a sensitive staging that alternates poetic statements, live music and real data about structural racism.
Remarkable works such as "O Canto das Três Raças" (The Song of the Three Races), "Zumbi" (Zombie), "A Carne" (The Flesh) and "Cota não é Esmola" (Quota is not Alms) dialogue with the narrative of Paula, amplifying the emotional impact of the story. On stage, her voice symbolizes so many others who are still fighting for respect, dignity and access to full freedom. For Justice Angela Haonat, the story of Paula is a living warning.
“The story of Paula is a symbol of female and black resistance. Her courage echoes in time and invites us to think about the contemporary 'Paulas', who still face the invisible currents of racism and inequality", she says.
About the event
The show is part of the programming of the II Week of Dialogues on Equality and Diversity, which will be held on November 17th and 18th. The initiative seeks to strengthen institutional commitment to the promotion of fundamental rights, based on reflections on Racial Equality, Sexual Diversity, Gender Equity, Traditional Communities and Accessibility.
With an 8-hour class load and registrations open to the public, the event begins on Monday, with the opening conducted by Judge Renata do Nascimento e Silva, coordinator of the initiative. On the occasion, she also gives the inaugural lecture, inviting the public to reflect on the meanings and challenges of equality in the daily life of the Judiciary.
The programming also has national reference names, such as Justice João Marcos Buch (TJSC (Court of Justice of the state of Santa Catarina)), Professor Rodrigo Ednilson (UFMG (Federal University of the state of Minas Gerais)), indigenous Educator Eugislane Karajá (UFT (Federal University of the state of Tocantins)), civil servers of the TJTO and other guests committed to promote a more plural Judiciary, inclusive and representative.
The full programming can be accessed clicking here.