The main purpose of this paper is to discuss the impact of the new public policies that are being proposed as general state policies in Brazil. Two laws are currently being discussed by the National Congress: the quota system for entrance into public universities and the so-called Estatuto da Equaldade Racial. The author describes the first findings of a research project developed in the schools of Rio de Janeiro over the last two years. She wonders if we are entitled to change the traditional ways students used to face prejudice and discrimination in their schools. The students of the schools participating in this research are mainly poor. According to the traditional methods of social anthropology, they were followed by graduate and undergraduate students who participated in the schools daily life and observed their rituals, ceremonies, classes and special programs.
School; Racism; Anti-racism; Racial quotes; Discrimination; Prejudice