Brazil abolished slavery in 1888, but during Carnival this year a major samba school will be arguing that it never really ended.

Leaders of the Paraiso do Tuiuti group see many instances of what they consider “modern-day slavery” in Latin America’s largest nation.

They note that Brazil is one of the world’s most unequal countries in terms of income distribution, and that its top politicians and businessmen are predominantly white while more than 50 percent of citizens identify as black or mixed race.

In this Jan. 22, 2018 photo, a member of the Paraiso do Tuiuti samba school rehearses their dances and songs that make reference to Brazil's history with slavery, in the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Leaders of the samba group see many instances of what they consider "modern-day slavery" in Latin America's largest nation. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

“Our music questions whether slavery is actually over,” said Jack Vasconcelos, the group’s art director. “We will tell the story of the bad habit that humans have of enslaving each other.”

On a recent night in Rio de Janeiro’s Sao Cristovao neighborhood, an area where members of the Portuguese royal family used to live, thousands watched as the school rehearsed for its appearance at the Sambadrome on Feb. 11.

“My God, my God, has slavery been extinguished?” go the lyrics in Portuguese.

Brazil was the last country in the Americas to abolish slavery, and 130 years later the impact is still very much felt in this continent-sized nation. Blacks are incarcerated at much higher rates than whites, much of the violence happens in shantytowns with predominantly black residents and a lack of access to higher education and work opportunities exacerbate segregation.

In this Jan. 22, 2018 photo, the Paraiso do Tuiuti samba school rehearse their Carnival numbers that make reference to Brazil's history with slavery, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the Sao Cristovao neighborhood, an area where members of the Portuguese royal family used to live, thousands watched as the school rehearsed for its appearance at the Sambadrome on Feb. 11. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Still, members of Paraiso do Tuiuti say their message won’t just be for minorities.

Besides Brazil’s inequalities in wealth distribution, the group complains about last year’s labor law changes that scaled back benefits and made it easier for employers to hire temporary workers. Members also oppose proposals in Congress to cut pension benefits for future retirees.

“It’s not just racism against blacks or whites,” said Dandara Silva, a hairdresser and dancer in the group. “There is a form of social slavery and we are fighting against that.”

In this Jan. 16, 2018 photo, a man cleans glass that will be part of a carnival float used by the the Paraiso do Tuiuti samba school, whose theme this carnival is Brazil's history with slavery, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. "Our music questions whether slavery is actually over," said Jack Vasconcelos, the group's art director. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

In this Jan. 16, 2018 photo, Josiane de Almeida works with feathers to create carnival costumes for the Paraiso do Tuiuti samba school, whose theme this year is Brazil's history with slavery, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

In this Jan. 22, 2018 photo, members of the Paraiso do Tuiuti samba school rehearse their dances and songs that make reference to Brazil's history with slavery, in the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. "It's not just racism against blacks or whites," said Dandara Silva, a hairdresser and dancer in the group. "There is a form of social slavery and we are fighting against that." (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

In this Jan. 16, 2018 photo, a woman creates costumes for the Paraiso do Tuiuti samba school's upcoming Carnival performances, which will address the subject of slavery in Brazil, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazil was the last country in the Americas to abolish slavery, and 130 years later the impact is still very much felt in this content-size nation. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

In this Jan. 16, 2018 photo, a man creates a carnival costume at the Paraiso do Tuiuti samba school, whose carnival theme this year is Brazil's history with slavery, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Besides Brazil's inequalities in wealth distribution, the group complains about last year's labor law changes that scaled back benefits and made it easier for employers to hire temporary workers. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

In this Jan. 22, 2018 photo, a member of the Paraiso do Tuiuti samba school rehearses his group's dances and songs, which this year make reference to Brazil's history with slavery, as residents follow in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. "My god, my god, has slavery been extinguished?" go the lyrics in Portuguese. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

In this Jan. 22, 2018 photo, members of the Paraiso do Tuiuti samba school rehears their dances and songs, which make reference to Brazil's history with slavery, in the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The samba school notes that Brazil is one of the world's most unequal countries in terms of income distribution, and that its top politicians and businessmen are predominantly white while more than 50 percent of citizens identify as black or mixed race. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

In this Jan. 22, 2018 photo, the Paraiso do Tuiuti samba school rehearse their dances and songs that make reference to Brazil's history with slavery, in the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Leaders of the samba group see many instances of what they consider "modern-day slavery" in Latin America's largest nation. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

In this Jan. 22, 2018 photo, a member of the Paraiso do Tuiuti samba school rehearses the school's dances and songs, which this year make reference to Brazil's history with slavery, in the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the Sao Cristovao neighborhood, an area where members of the Portuguese royal family used to live, thousands watched as the school rehearsed for its appearance at the Sambadrome on Feb. 11. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

In this Jan. 16, 2018 photo, a worker carries costume accessories for the upcoming Carnival, inside the Paraiso do Tuiuti samba school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

In this Jan. 22, 2018 photo, drummers from the Paraiso do Tuiuti samba school walk to a street rehearsal of their dances and songs, which this year make reference to Brazil's history with slavery, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. "Our music questions whether slavery is actually over," said Jack Vasconcelos, the group's art director. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

In this Jan. 22, 2018 photo, a girl watches the Paraiso do Tuiuti samba school rehearse their dances and songs, which this year make reference to Brazil's history with slavery, in the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazil was the last country in the Americas to abolish slavery, and 130 years later the impact is still very much felt in this content-size nation. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Text from the AP news story, AP PHOTOS: Brazil samba school argues slavery still exists, by Yesica Fisch.

Photos by Leo Correa

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