University Zumbi dos Palmares Campaign Fights Against Racial Discrimination in Retail Stores

Black people always suffer racism inside consumption spaces in Brazil. From harassment by security guards to cases of death. It’s common to see black customers being asked to show their receipts to prove that they own something they have bought. And this is one example of the many racist aggressions practiced in commerce in the country.

Based on this scenario, Grey Brazil created a campaign for Racismo Zero, a program developed by University Zumbi dos Palmares to fight racism inside commerce spaces, named 'Receipts of Respect'. The objective is to raise awareness to the numerous types of racist aggression practiced in retail stores and then invite companies to join the program, which offers racial education to the employees of these companies, granting an 'anti-racist company' seal to those that bring the cases in their establishments to zero.

The campaign is divided into two parts. In the first part, billboards will display actual receipts collected among people who already suffered this type of violence and had to show them to prove they haven’t stolen anything. The pieces explain how black people are forced to carry their receipts and invite companies to take part on Racismo Zero program.

The second part of the campaign is a platform for action: a free software for receipt printers that turns the receipt, a symbol of this type of racism, into a channel for protest and denouncement. 

This software can be downloaded at notasdorespeito.com.br and works like any other app for receipt printers, but it brings a QR Code on the receipt, in the shape of a clenched fist, a symbol of black resistance, which directs consumers to a site where they can make complaints and find legal and emotional counseling, in the moment the racist act happens. In addition, the receipts printed by the software will bring real stories of black citizens who have faced situations of racism in their daily lives and had to prove that they did not steal or rob something that was theirs.

The software will be amplified by a film, billboards and on social media.