The release of new figures showing that 2016 was Brazil’s most murderous year lends additional poignancy to the country’s All Souls Day festivities
On All Souls Day, Brazilians visit the graves of loved ones to celebrate their lives and grieve their loss. This year, there is a special poignancy for those who care to see it. The Day of the Dead dawned hours after the release of figures revealing that 2016 was the most murderous year in Brazil’s history. One person was killed every seven minutes in the country last year, a total of almost 62,000 lives lost to violence.
This “genocide” of Brazilian people – especially her young, black people – overshadows this year’s festivities. Between 2005 and 2015, the average homicide rate rose from 26 to 29.9 murders per 100,000 people. Most were young, and in 2015 seven out of 10 were black. Black people are more vulnerable in virtually every state in the country, regardless of socioeconomic status.
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