Fredson is one of the most beloved staff members at EARJ, known for his sunny disposition, kind words, and care for the students. To learn more about this pillar of the EARJ community, we sat down with him to talk about his life story.
Fredson, who is now 42 years old, was born in São Luís do Maranhão, where he lived with his grandparents for most of his early childhood. His mother, who spent most of her life working as a maid, immigrated to Rio de Janeiro for work and stability. His grandmother was a matriarch, not only of the family but of the community they lived in, always providing advice and wisdom to the youth. Thus, family and community became pivotal sources of support and strength for Fredson, who never let these values go. Soon, it was time for him to reunite with his mother. And so, seven-year-old Fredson embarked alone on a three-day bus trip to Rio. Filled with excitement and dreams, Fredson faced the adventure with surprising strength and composure, arriving in Rio with little knowledge about the city.
Life, however, posed its challenges. Growing up in Brazil as a black, low-income "nordestino" unfortunately came with a need for arduous work and dedication and a necessity to adapt to society's judgment and racism. Fredson expressed the same ideas we learned during our Semana da Consciência Negra week, that racism in Brazil can be very dangerous due to its hidden element. While nationalist rhetoric tries to enforce that this country is a "melting pot" of cultures and that racism is a thing of the past, most black individuals will face discrimination and judgement throughout their lives. To avoid being seen as a criminal, Fredson recounted how he was taught to talk and act a certain way - teachings that he passed on to his two sons.
Fredson described the many "jokes" he had to endure and brush off as a young man growing up in a school where he was the only black student in his grade. In the professional world, Fredson also faced discrimination during hiring processes, where white candidates were always prioritized over him, despite his experience and know-how. Fredson also mentioned a racist incident during his time working at EARJ. He assured us that the incident had been resolved and that he is now on good terms with the perpetrator. However, this demonstrates how essential discussions about inclusion and diversity are. Yet, despite his adversities, he shows great gratitude towards the school, especially for its ability to provide his youngest son, Miguel, with the opportunity to study at EARJ.
Throughout everything, family and perseverance have been Fredson's rock. His wife, who he has been with for 11 years, and his children are his main priority and reason for overcoming hardship. He credits family as the main reason a person, including himself, is virtuous: from his grandparents to his mother to his wife and kids, the connections he had and the love he shared were the primary motivators to keep going. When asked for a word of wisdom, he didn't hesitate: "Don't give up. The younger generation has the potential to change the world. Never quit!"
We all love Fredson. Way to go friend!
Excellent article on Fredson!