Black woman from the Quilombola community of Codó, Maranhão

On that day, October 22, 2025, the clock at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Remedies, popularly known as the Cathedral Church, struck four o'clock. It is, therefore, the main church of the Diocese of Caxias, in the state of Maranhão. The late Bishop Dom Luís Marelim said that it was formerly a chapel dedicated exclusively to Our Lady of Remedies, patron saint of commerce, and after several changes, it became the cathedral of the diocese. Renowned for its historical and religious significance, it served as a base and hideout for the Balaiada rebels, known as the War of the Be-te-vis. It features a bronze clock imported from Europe when it became a cathedral.

Tired and carrying an aluminum bowl filled with cakes and rice couscous, she sat on a bench in the square, praying to Our Lady of Remedies, making countless requests, and asking the Saint to let men live in peace. Raimunda Maria, just fifteen years old, looked and wept in front of the Church of Our Lady of Remedies, her tears staining the seat and the cement floor.

After about thirty minutes, besides praying, Raimunda Maria left with the aluminum bowl and without selling any of her products, heading toward the shopping center where Armazém Paraíba and other stores were located, trying to sell. Walking up the sidewalks of Afonso Pena Street, she encountered young Fábio, well-dressed, handsome, with green eyes, blond hair, and a cheerful disposition. Seeing the girl, he tried to buy her cakes and asked for juice or coffee.

She said with great satisfaction:

- Sir, I don't sell coffee or juice. But can you help yourself to whatever you want, buying the cakes or couscous?

The young man, beaming, says:

- I've already bought almost half of everything. There's one thing. I'm not going to pay today.

Raimunda Maria tries to explain herself.

- Sir. I don't even know you? I can't sell on credit and pay later.

Fábio responds, distressed:

- Black woman, I'm not going to pay because I don't want to. You're a little black girl. If I see you selling again, I'll take your tray.

Raimunda Maria, crying, begs:

- For the love of God, pay me, sir. My family lives on the hope of daily sales. I don't know what to say. Please! Pay me, sir.

Fábio, irritated, throws the packages of cakes and couscous onto the street floor.

- Don't look at me like that. I don't like black women. The only thing you know how to do is shit when you spread your legs." Dirty black woman, pigtail hair. All you know is messing up wherever you go. The worst thing Princess Isabel did on May 13, 1888, was this so-called Golden Law, declaring your slavery abolished. You will always be a black pigtail shit. Wherever you go, you will always be black. Princess Isabel abolished slavery, but your color will remain for life.

Raimunda Maria replies:

- You're talking nonsense. Our president Dilma Roussef changed the racism law, man, about quotas, President Sarney published and changed the racism law and the Afonso Arinos Law on racism and other forms of racism.

- I'm going to fight for my rights and give you an answer.

Go ahead, dirty black woman. You will never have the color of my eyes or the color of my skin. Do you know why? You're black.

-  In fact, the bakers and couscous makers who sell their wares on the streets and sidewalks of cities play an important role in society. Many women belonging to various religious groups also face great hardships and violence, victims of racist and immoral rules.

However, the struggles faced by Black women partially exacerbate what women suffer. White women, however, face a completely different social situation. It is known that in the past, Black women were denied jobs, just as it was difficult to find a large store owned by a Black man in the city. This no longer exists.

Currently, we can say that most women do not have the good jobs white women do, and they hide in domestic work without a CTPS (Workers' Registry) record.

Raimunda Maria, when seeking justice in Caxias, Maranhão state, immediately recognized her rights and convicted Fábio of the legal penalties he violated.