Listen to an excerpt from the letter narrated by its writer, Maria Eduarda.
Rio de Janeiro, May 21, 2021.
Mr. João Cândido,
I am writing this letter to honor you for your bravery in leading the well-known Revolta da Chibata, an example of struggle, especially against racial and social inequality.
I express my deep sorrow regarding the many deaths and, above all, that of comrade Marcelino Rodrigues Menezes, punished so cruelly, with 250 lashes, causing him to die.
Due to this event, sir, you led, here in our city, several sailors against the regime of inhumane corporal punishment and the terrible conditions they faced. After lengthy struggles, and due to the great dissatisfaction with these punishments, an end was put to such punishments in 1910.
Despite this, I am extremely saddened to learn that the amnesty granted to the rebels was not honored by the authorities, causing this struggle to continue and resulting in even more deaths among the sailors.
Finally, I would like to thank you for this act of resistance, knowing that even after all the punishments you were given, especially after the Revolt, you, Black Admiral, rose up again and managed to survive.
I sincerely hope that your story is told to all future generations.
A hug from a proud student,
Maria Eduarda Xavier