Brazzil

Rich and powerful to the point of arrogance, when it cannot beat the competition, Globo simply buys it. It has happened time and again. Besides that, Roberto Marinho, the nonagenarian owner of the conglomerate Globo media empire has become a kingmaker. Marinho's backing was instrumental in the victory of Fernando Collor de Mello for the presidency in 1989 and again in the election of sitting President Fernando Henrique Cardoso.
By Brazzil Magazine

I am a black American woman who happens to be very light skinned. My father has an African and indigenous background, and my mother is Okinawan Japanese. Many Brazilians also share this background. I think that racism is as much as a problem in America as it is in Brazil. My experience hasn't been with obvious racism. Whites think of me as exotic, and trendy while other blacks resent my paleness and are rather unfriendly. In any case, my skin color is always an issue.

I was shocked by the mother in the article ("Black Hole," November 1999) who claimed that she wanted to purify the family blood line. That was when I was forced to confront my own issues of racism. Whenever I pictured myself marrying, it was never with a dark black man, it was always someone at least as pale as myself. I won't even walk out of the house without applying sunscreen, as if to protect my precious pale skin. I had always denied my own prejudices, so this article was like a slap in the face. Thank you for that. I deserved it.

I have read your article concerning the racial democracy myth. It was a fascinating read. I am a Black British male who like many others (black or white) living in Britain have always been given the impression that Brazil was the one through racial melting pot in the world. I have sometimes suspected this not to be the case or even being too good to be true.

For example, I remember a friend of mine who came back from the Carnaval in Brazil last year and showed me a video he bought of the event. I remember thinking: where were all the black people? My friend told me that there were blacks everywhere at the Carnaval. It seemed that the video was edited to such an extent as to omit the Afro-Brazilians This I found disturbing.

It's quite ironic that in Britain—and pretty much the rest of Europe—when one thinks of Brazil, the first impressions that come to mind are the joyous Carnavals that seem to be celebrating racial harmony and Pelé, one of the great icons of the century. I have always been drawn to Brazil as a land of exotic splendor, but I feel that like in most societies in the world once you scratch beneath the surface you need to brace yourself for certain eventualities that are not always pleasant.

It's ironic to see that the multiracial heritage—African being a fundamental ingredient—that infuses Brazil with its worldwide reputation is the very thing that has been seen as a "stigma" and is swept under the carpet like an ugly stain.

I am not surprised by Kathleen Bond's "Black Hole" article. I visited Salvador da Bahia and Rio de Janeiro in June 1998 with a group of about 60 Afro-Americans. We were in Salvador da Bahia for four days and in Rio for seven days. Even during such a short visit in Salvador, we were surprised to note how the blacks in that city were marginalized. We did not see blacks occupying other than jobs in the lower level of the service industries, i.e., waiters, bellboys, and restaurant workers.

During our stay at the Bahia Othon Hotel, we observed a large conference being conducted there of many professionals (I forget which field) and saw no blacks in attendance. There was probably only one or two people of mixed heritage. All of the street children were either black or mixed, none white. All of the restaurants and other businesses we visited were owned by whites with blacks or mixed persons as employees in lower level occupations. In Rio, we saw even fewer blacks as employees, even in lower level jobs. One wonders how blacks manage to even subsist in Brazil.

Here's my check for a two-year renewal of my subscription to Brazzil. I hope this is in time for the next issue. I can't go even one month without Brazzil. I'm so impressed by the variety of articles, especially ones on racial issues. I've always been interested in Brazilian society regarding race. After all, Brazil has the same racial heritage as the US with indigenous, European and African peoples.

It's fascinating how both societies have developed with the same racial ingredients. There are many similarities yet there are also distinct differences. Both good and bad. There's a lot that both countries can learn from each other. If we could take the best from both, imagine what a society that could be!

I want to thank Brian P. Costigan for the beautiful letter, which he wrote about the Brazilian people. I am a Brazilian and I feel the same way, but I will admit, he expressed it better than I could. This is why life is so hard for me here. I miss my family and close friends very much. I miss all the get-togethers: birthdays, christenings, graduations, weddings and yes, funerals.

I miss our music, our way of life, our jeitinho, even the beautiful countryside where I was born. The best thing for me now is that I am already counting the months until I can return for good. Unfortunately, I missed so much… There is so much here in the US, yet it lacks so much for me. I wish Brian the best and that all his dreams may come true. However, I have noticed that Brazilian children growing here or children of Brazilians born here become Americanized.

I've just been reading Bruce Gilman's excellent article on the Tropicália movement. I don't know if you're aware of the current interest the movement is generating in the UK: a big box set anthology has just been released to great reviews, and bands like Stereolab and the High Llamas are referring to Gil, Costa and Os Mutantes. So I was considering writing an article on the movement for a fanzine I publish, but when I read your exemplary article I realized how inadequate my knowledge was.

So I was wondering if you would consider allowing us to reprint a condensed version of the piece? I'm afraid we don't have vast amounts of money to pay for rights... it's just a small mag with a circulation of about 1000 that is read by fans of independent music in the UK, but we could fully credit the original publication and direct people towards your website. Thanks for your consideration and best wishes

It would be nice to have mail addresses if we want to order books, etc. We, illiterates, can't order anything. There are a lot of cabras da peste (like me) who don't have or don't want a computer. I'd rather go hunting or fishing than sitting all day in front of a computer. But I do like everything in your magazine.

I have read some of your back issues posted on your website. The articles are interesting, well written, informative, and educational. I would like to subscribe to your magazine. Could you please tell me how much a subscription in New York would cost? In addition, could you also give me the address to where I should mail my payment?

I am a high-school student in need of info on the country of Brazil. Since your magazine is called Brazzil you must know something about the country

I'd like to see this magazine. It's nice to know that we lovers of Brazil can read a little about our favorite country even here in the USA!

I have recently met two Brazilian women who are sisters. They do not have access to the Internet other than through me. They are interested in finding a Brazilian company with an office in the Atlanta area. Perhaps your publication could help.

I used to subscribe to this publication back in 1996, and to a great degree it was instrumental in the planning of my one-year sabbatical in Brazil as it inspired me and kept me informed with Brazilian issues. In fact, I wrote a small letter which you printed in 1995. I can't remember the issue; I should have saved it. If I recall, it was entitled "Moving to Marataízes".

I am American, married to a Brazilian wife. I have three beautiful children: Justin, 12; Jessica, 9; and Meagan, 6 months. We live in Castro Valley, California. My beautiful wife Laudicéia was born in Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, state of Espírito Santo, the same town where Roberto Carlos was born. We have been happily married now for 12 wonderful years.

Back in 1996, to celebrate our 10th anniversary and expose our children to Brazilian culture, we moved to the town of Marataízes, Espírito Santo where my wife was raised. It was a family adventure that left my heart in Brazil. Most people hear about Rio or the Amazon when they hear about Brazil. Not too many know of the "interior," the smaller places. The state of Espírito Santo is so beautiful with its beautiful coastline and picturesque rolling green hills. The Capixabas are fine people too.

I met so many good down-to-earth, simple, hard-working agricultural people. The list of wonderful things goes on...and I would like to share it with your publication. I would like to encourage others to take a chance in life to pursue such an adventure. It was very affordable and I have great tips for anyone interested.

We used to sign your magazine some years ago, and we liked the interviews a lot. We would like to receive a free sample to see if it is still very good, and then maybe sign it again.

I am an American who has just returned from a year in Brazil. I was working and living in various parts of the country and had a few chances to do some vacationing, also. Just last night I have seen your magazine, which I enjoyed very much, and I would be very interested in doing some writing for you. I mainly do writing in a fiction style, based on my own travels. If there would be interest in this sort of thing, I would love to talk with someone, perhaps bounce around some ideas.

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