João Raphael

academic

João Raphael is a scholar and educator with a master's degree in education from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). He is known for his critical engagement with cultural and social issues, particularly those related to race and representation in Brazilian society. Recently, he spoke out against the controversial evaluation of the samba-enredo by the Unidos de Padre Miguel, arguing that the decision to penalize the use of Yoruba terms in the lyrics reflected a lack of understanding and preparedness among the judges regarding African cultural themes. His comments have sparked discussions on social media about the importance of cultural authenticity and the need for fair evaluations in the context of Brazilian Carnival.