Inclusion in higher education is not only a matter of social justice, but also of structural transformation in a society with historical inequalities like Brazil.
As CEO of SEDA College and someone who has experienced the opportunities provided by education, I firmly believe in the power of affirmative action as a driver of positive and lasting change.
That is why I decided to write this article as a way to explain a little about what I think about racial quotas in universities and how I think this is important to combat structural racism. I hope you enjoy it!
Reducing historical inequalities
Education has always been one of the main paths to social mobility.
However, many people from historically marginalized groups, such as black people, indigenous people and low-income people, face significant barriers to accessing and completing a higher education course.
That is why, in my view, affirmative action, such as racial and social quotas, are instruments to reduce these inequalities, ensuring that more people have the opportunity to enter universities and broaden their life prospects.
As a black man, I know that these policies go beyond numbers and percentages: they create real possibilities for those who might otherwise be left out of the education system.
Diversity that enriches everyone
More diverse environments are proven to be richer in innovation, creativity, and learning. In higher education, this means bringing a plurality of voices, stories, and perspectives into the classroom that, together, generate deeper debates and more complete reflections.
Affirmative action helps create this diversity, allowing universities to be more faithful reflections of the society in which they are inserted.
Students from different cultural and social backgrounds learn from each other, developing empathy and skills to deal with a diverse and globalized world.
A necessary step towards equity
Some argue that affirmative action is unfair, but we need to understand that equality is not the same as equity. Offering the same conditions to people who started from very different starting points does not solve the structural problem.
Affirmative action, on the other hand, recognizes these disparities and seeks to balance access to opportunities.
As an educator and leader, I see this as an essential step towards breaking cycles of exclusion and promoting a more just and truly meritocratic society — one where merit is not limited by each person’s initial living conditions.
Education as social transformation
Therefore, I believe that higher education plays a central role in social transformation, but this change does not happen automatically.
It is necessary to invest in inclusive policies, such as affirmative action, to ensure that more people can actively participate in this transformation.
By supporting these initiatives, I am reaffirming my commitment to a future in which access to education is a right for all, and not a privilege for a few. After all, when we expand opportunities for those who need it most, society as a whole advances.
