Florestan - Militant Intelligence - Haroldo Ceravolo Sereza

Florestan Fernandes: A Militant Intelligence

Florestan Fernandes (1920-1995) was a Brazilian sociologist, anthropologist, and political activist who made significant contributions to the study of race, class, and inequality in Brazil. His work has been praised for its rigor, its insights, and its commitment to social justice.

In this biography, Haroldo Ceravolo Sereza provides a comprehensive account of Fernandes' life and work. Sereza draws on a wide range of sources, including interviews with Fernandes' friends, colleagues, and students, as well as his own extensive research on Fernandes' writings. The result is a nuanced and insightful portrait of a complex and fascinating figure.

Early Life and Education

Florestan Fernandes was born in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1920. His father was a factory worker, and his mother was a homemaker. Fernandes grew up in poverty, but he was able to attend school thanks to the support of his parents and teachers. He showed a talent for learning at an early age, and he went on to study sociology and anthropology at the University of São Paulo.

Political Activism

Fernandes became involved in political activism while he was a student at the University of São Paulo. He joined the Brazilian Communist Party (PCB) in 1945, and he quickly rose through the ranks. He became a member of the PCB's Central Committee in 1947, and he was elected to the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies in 1950.

Fernandes' political activism led to his arrest and imprisonment on several occasions. He was first arrested in 1947, and he was held in prison for several months. He was arrested again in 1954, and he was sentenced to five years in prison. He was released in 1959, but he was forced to live in exile for several years.

Academic Career

Fernandes returned to Brazil in 1961, and he resumed his academic career. He taught at the University of São Paulo, and he also held visiting positions at several universities in the United States and Europe. Fernandes' research focused on race, class, and inequality in Brazil. He argued that Brazil was a deeply unequal society, and that this inequality was rooted in the country's history of colonialism and slavery.

Fernandes' work has had a profound impact on the study of race, class, and inequality in Brazil. He is considered one of the most important Brazilian sociologists of the twentieth century, and his work continues to be read and studied by scholars around the world.

Conclusion

Florestan Fernandes was a brilliant sociologist, anthropologist, and political activist who made significant contributions to the study of race, class, and inequality in Brazil. His work is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand Brazil's past, present, and future.

Why You Should Read This Book

If you are interested in learning more about Brazil, or if you are interested in the study of race, class, and inequality, then I highly recommend reading this book. Florestan Fernandes was a brilliant thinker, and his work is still relevant today. This biography provides a comprehensive and insightful account of Fernandes' life and work, and it is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand Brazil's past, present, and future.