Brasília, November 22, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, speaking yetserday at a ceremony celebrating Black Consciousness Week, said that the best example of the existence of social mobility in Brazil, and the fact that it has increased in recent years, was the election of a lathe operator to succeed him in the presidency. Cardoso added that it was not just Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who came from a working class background to run for president, but his opponent, Jose Serra, as well.

"Brazilian society is curious in that racism and prejudice continue to exist along side strong social mobility. It is interesting from a sociological point of view," said the sociologist president. (AB)