To the office of President Artur Benardes,
I have served loyally as a scientific advisor to the leadership of this country for many years, and it is high time that I give something back to the country that has served me so well. The proposal I will outline shortly is one that will raise this country beyond its already esteemed status to a level that no other country has reached in modern history. The scientific techniques and stratagems I am proposing are the most advanced ideas available to any scientist of our time
Our country is strong, but it has its weaknesses. The poorest sections of our cities are rife with filth and disease and even the richest sections cannot reach their full potential. This flaw isn’t something we can correct simply through hard work—though our great country is known for its brilliance under pressure—but through the sophisticated practice of eugenics.
As we have seen in the great horse races of the north, the difference between a champion and a contender is proper breeding, and as our country faces poverty, the spread of disease, poor hygiene, and increased economic competition, a pure and strong citizenry is a must moving forward. For far too long we have allowed the people of Brazil to breed as they please, and they have polluted themselves with impurity, with weakness.
I’m no racist, I’m not suggesting that we should flush out these unsavory elements; even the greatest cities need their garbage collectors, but through responsible breeding, we could increase our country’s productivity, its cleanliness and its prosperity tenfold.
A new study has emerged in the realm of science that I believe is a viable solution to Brazil’s mixed population problem. It is called eugenics, an attempt to eradicate the pariahs of society through progressive reproductive methods instead of violent exterminations. By partaking in this theory, Brazil could receive positive attention from the rest of the Western world; especially considering eugenics was first studied in Europe. European doctors will be flattered their endeavors have reached across oceans and are being implemented across the globe. After all, hasn’t this been the dream of this country: to be seen as a sophisticated society comparable to those in Europe, and not a collection of indigenous ingrates? This science could not only benefit Brazil socially, but economically, and theologically as well.
Think about it. By getting the attention of European governments, Brazil will be seen in a more respectable light. As such, our trade will grow exponentially, because now we have the respect of some of the most powerful countries in the world. This is what every Western nation wants – a completely homogenized, white society. If Brazil succeeds with eugenics, there will be no end to the lauding she will receive!
Furthermore, my unique proposal concerning this scientific movement can completely free Brazil from the authority of the Church. However, to do so we must radically reorient ourselves away from the Church’s power. By fully severing ties with Rome, we can ensure nothing will compromise attempts at bettering this society. As such, I propose the institution of marriage be abolished as it is obsolete when speaking of eugenics and reproduction.
It, furthermore, is highly inefficient. Limiting one man to one woman hinders the possible amount of children produced, ergo hindering the progress of creating the perfect race. Other countries of this continent have tried and failed at generating a perfect white society. This is because they were not willing to do whatever it takes to improve their people. Brazil does not have to follow such examples.
Along with this abolition, it would be prudent of the government to suggest who each man’s reproduction partner should be. This way it is easier to control the restructuring of a better, whiter society. We ensure only the “crème de la crème” are products of such unions. After all, while the white man is the superior race, a small percent its members are not favorable to the vision of this improved society. Therefore, I propose a “prenuptial” (a term I use very loosely) exam, to guarantee the two parties entering into this transaction are worthy of contributing to this new Brazilian population.
Furthermore (and this likely goes without saying), blacks, natives, and mestizos will not be allowed to reproduce should this proposal pass. These lesser races contaminate the whitening process, and it’s not only their skin that does so. Non-whites lack the innate sophistication and intelligence the white man is privy to. Not only can these people not be lightened, they can also not be taught the inborn qualities that are exclusively bestowed on whites. Our purpose here is not only to whiten Brazilian society, but raise it to a level unsurpassed by any other country. We wish to see our people well-educated members of the global society. To achieve this, the people must first have an aptitude to succeed; something the coloreds of this world severely lack.
Continuing with this, Brazil must also push for stricter social hygiene and temperance among the people. Those convicted of prostitution or debauchery must be severely reprimanded for their poor judgment. Let’s face it, accidents happen, and if an inebriated man (be he white or black) crosses the path of a prostitute there is a chance that union will result in a child. This is a risk we must not take if Brazilian eugenics is meant to succeed.
Should any of the above stipulations be breached, the offending parties will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. The most effective punishment, of course, is sterilization. In fact, this could even be a preemptive strike.
Sincerely,
Dr. A. Hitelero, 1923
A Short Biography:
Dr. Adolfo Hitelero lived in Brazil during its “modernizing” age. Dr. Hiltelero was born into an upper class of Brazil. His father was a Doctor and owner of a small private firm; his mother came from a wealthy Portuguese land owning family, her ancestors have lived in Brazil since colonization. As Adolfo grew up in Brazil, he paid close attention to his father’s work, which dealt chiefly with diseases and especially the cause of disease. When Adolfo was a young man he attended school at the university in Portugal where he studied to become a doctor because his father’s work fascinated him. During his time at school, eugenics became the main scientific theory behind the cause of diseases and from Adolfo’s personal experiences in Brazil, he came to the conclusion that this theory was correct and decided to use leverage from his new position as chief scientific advisor to the Brazilian government to write an essay to aid his home land.
Stern, Alexandra. "ISAR - Unraveling the History of Eugenics in Mexico." Ferris State University: Michigan College Campuses in Big Rapids MI, Grand Rapids MI, Off Campus Locations Across Michigan. 1 Aug. 1998. Web. 12 Mar. 2011. <http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/othersrv/isar/archives2/sources/mexico.htm>.
Athey, Stephanie. "Genders OnLine Journal - Eugenic Feminisms in Late Nineteenth-Century America: Reading Race in Victoria Woodhull, Frances Willard, Anna Julia Cooper and Ida B. Wells." Genders OnLine Journal - Presenting Innovative Theoriesin Art, Literature, History, Music, TV and Film. 2000. Web. 12 Mar. 2011. <http://www.genders.org/g31/g31_athey.html>.
I don't find this idea to be very helpful. In fact, I see no way in which this idea could ever be plausible. However, this is just my opinion, and good luck with trying to stop humans from fulfilling their emotions just because science states that they shouldn't.
ReplyDeleteHow can one, as educated as you, say that Man with colored skin lacks the propensity to succeed? Are you not aware that if not for the support of the indigenous, many, in fact most, of our liberated Latin American nations would not have succeeded in their efforts to decolonize? It was only through enlisting the help of the natives as well as slaves that your idolized white population was capable of achieving success.
ReplyDeleteAlso, though I agree and support the effort to promote public hygiene, I feel blame is not fairly being divided. While prostitution and debauchery are avenues to spread illness, is not the act of indulging in excess alcohol an avenue to poor decision making leading to unhealthy outcomes. And yet you persecute one indulgence and pardon another. My eyes see, on the one hand, a woman struggling to make ends meet and becomes desperate that she's willing to do anything so sells her very body in a hopes to make enough to feed her starving children. On the other hand, I watch as a man stumbles home after having spent his night irresponsibly throwing away his families money. Upon seeing the working mother he loses himself once more to his selfish desires and indulges. In my mind, I find no way for the woman to be found guilty while the man is found an innocent bystander of temptation.
If this science defends your reasoning behind your unmerited racism to be true, then this science is firstly not fit for any community that hopes to exist under just laws and governing, and secondly is not a practice that will result in a country of stability and peace.