The Invisibility of Race in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: The Gracies versus Capoeira and Judo

This research article examines why the racialization of Brazilian jiu-jitsu has so often been invisible to non-Brazilians. It argues that Brazilian jiu-jitsu emerged in a highly racially stratified context and looks in particular at challenge matches that the Gracie family engaged in with fighters who practiced capoeira or judo. It argues that through these competitions, not only was Brazilian jiu-jitsu located within Brazil’s racial hierarchy, but it was often positioned as ‘white,’ though usually in an unspoken manner. The ‘invisibility’ of Brazilian jiu-jitsu’s racialization is connected to Brazil’s hegemonic racial system where race is both of central social importance, yet is often not spoken about, and a context where whiteness is both privileged, yet also variable and not directly identified.