Comments for The Catwalk Dreams of Brazil’s Have-Nots at http://www.brazzil.com , comment 1 to 194 out of 20 comments http://www.brazzil.com Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:54:57 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/167-december-2004/8904-the-catwalk-dreams-of-brazils-have-nots.html#comment-41477 I think what he is doing is wonderful. People are only enslaved by their own minds. Many will spend a lifetime being "victims" of oppression hoping for some sort of "reparation". Good for them. I like the author above that says.[quote]STOP! written by Guest, May 26, 2005 TO BECOME SPIRITUALLY AND FINANCIALLY STRONGER WE CAN DEBATE AND TALK BULLs**t ALL DAY ABOUT WHICH COUNTRY IS BETTER BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE DISSATISFIED WITH RACE RELATIONS IF WE KEEP FALLING FOR THE OLD "DIVIDE AND CONQUER" TACTICS THAT HAVE BEEN USED AGAINST US FOREVER.[/quote] I will go a step further. We have ALL been discriminated against in one way or another. We are ALL born into our prisons and NO ONE can get us out but ourselves. We are only imprisoned by our minds, and if we lay the 'blame" on someone, then they have the power. Instead, let us NOT continue to lament, woe is me, I just a poor black ignorant helpless person, give me some money cause my pappy was a slave. My pappy would roll over in his grave if I said that. He worked his ass off and "forced" us to have an education. He warned us that anything we were "given" would only enlsave us and anything we "earned" would set us free.....Many of my peers decided to quit school to buy a hot-rod and look cool. then their girlfriend got pregnant (wonder how that happened?) Now they blame the country cause they live in a trailer, the walls are closing in, and she's pregnant again livin off food stamps and the economy is tight....he say's he's splittin'....no wonder people are prejudice. Now I have to help support his crew? Make you're own escape,not excuses. I did. - Desgraçado Sun, 04 Oct 2009 20:23:56 +0100 http://www.brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/167-december-2004/8904-the-catwalk-dreams-of-brazils-have-nots.html#comment-39683 Enough of this sh*t. Make love not war. And love your neighbours as you love yourself. This is one Canadian who has been to Brasil 4x and will go back many more times before the big guy calls me home. My Brasilian honey is here in Canada as a legal landed immigrant. She is wonderful as is her family and country. Seeing the bright side of things will improve your life. Remember, your thoughts become your life. Have negative crappy thoughts and your life will become exactly this! Live in the light, with love, a giving nature and a child-like enthusiasm will bring you much joy. Help animals, those less fortunate and forget this BULLSH*T please. Canada and Brasil ROCK!! And yes, some Americans are arrogant unworldly losers, but not all. Many are also wonderful incredible people like us here in Canada and Brasil! hahaha.... - sydemham Sat, 16 May 2009 22:23:45 +0100 http://www.brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/167-december-2004/8904-the-catwalk-dreams-of-brazils-have-nots.html#comment-33758 Hi Dear Please gave me more information about the good and nice msn Thanks Essa khan - zahid Sun, 10 Feb 2008 06:44:34 +0100 http://www.brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/167-december-2004/8904-the-catwalk-dreams-of-brazils-have-nots.html#comment-33613 Note * If you send something to Brazil from another country, be careful because it will never arrive. If it arrives, the package may be empty. Traduzindo o que esta ai em cima os trabaladores do correios são ladrões e as coisas que são enviadas de outros paises nunca chega! ou quando chega as caizas estão vazias. Outra coisa é se você manda alguma coisa de valor e já pagou taxa no pais que comprou quando chega no brasil a receita federa quer roubar dinheiro dos pobresinhos que vão buscar no correio o pacote ou encomenda. - Carla Sat, 02 Feb 2008 22:35:05 +0100 http://www.brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/167-december-2004/8904-the-catwalk-dreams-of-brazils-have-nots.html#comment-31924 After spending almos two hours reading the posters, I thought I'd leave a comment. I've had contact with the american culture and lifestyle for the past four years. There is a lot I understand now, both about my own country and the USA. I do like to compare and contrast them. It's hard though. I only wish people could experience other cultures and languages so they'd be more respectful and understanding. There are and there will be a lot of good and bad things about my country and the USA. AS for racism, I think it is a fact in Brazil, in a different way though, kinda camouflaged, as we Brazilians are still working on our on identity...maybe that's why we call ourselves "Brazilians" no matter what ancestry we have, Portugal, Poland, Germany, etc. It is also a fact that the blacks in Brazil are socially opressed, the great majority live in the slums...That explains why black girls want to straighten or even dye their hair. It's not a matter of being racist. It's just that they don't want to be marginalized. We do have the poor sterotype about blacks in Brazil. It's a fact. My brother-in-law is a black successful layer and has been mistaken for waiters, doormen many times...As I said there is racism, but not segregation, since we are a truly melting pot, all mixed up. peace - mineiro Sat, 17 Nov 2007 13:54:49 +0100 http://www.brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/167-december-2004/8904-the-catwalk-dreams-of-brazils-have-nots.html#comment-28162 I've never seen so much generalize s##t in my life. - boy oh boy Sun, 17 Jun 2007 04:31:53 +0100 http://www.brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/167-december-2004/8904-the-catwalk-dreams-of-brazils-have-nots.html#comment-18116 Cry me an Amazonian river......The US government have been bending over backwards since the mid 50's for Black America. We even have laws that give jobs to Black Americans over White Americans if both applicants are equal, not to mention eduactional grants, wellfare and other entitlement programs that only "Black" Americans are elligable for. It is too bad Black Americans are too busy yelling " I WANT I WANT.....GIVE ME GIIVE ME GIVE ME, trying to be "RAP" , "Basketball" or wanna be "Gangstars", rather than focusing on their education and building their own successes. As a Canadian immagrant with NO family ties to slavery, I wasn't taught to be prejudice, racist or to have any ill will towards my fellow man/woman.........I learned this from the Black American community by the way they conduct and behave in society. Your only limitations in life are yourself........... Mighty Whitey and Proud of It.......... ps: stop the prejudice written by alicia,.......your not a gringa your more like sweet icecream with all the right toppings!!!! - Gromitpin Sun, 08 Oct 2006 15:27:11 +0100 http://www.brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/167-december-2004/8904-the-catwalk-dreams-of-brazils-have-nots.html#comment-17333 I\'m not even sure what to say here , im kindov surprised by all the hate for brazil and america. if youre like me ( thats part black , part spanish, part brazillian , part french) its really hard to know what to think. Ive never been to brazil but i want to,To me it looks like the most beautiful, ALIVE place ive ever seen. its really true that alot of americans have lost their sense of whAt really living is, and i dont think that sex and parties means youre a simpleton ( like said above). ive gotten prejudice on both sides ( white and black) , cuz im not white enough or black enough , but never from the latin side. Its really messed up , and i think that even though the samerican government is close to killing the world right now, hate isnt gonna make it any better. And by the way, there are plenty of \"brown eyed demons\" to go with your \" blue eyed demons\" . thats racist thinking- just accept the races for what they are.by the way , does being only part- brazillian make me a gringa? NO COUNTRY IS PERFECT - alicia Fri, 21 Jul 2006 17:23:25 +0100 http://www.brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/167-december-2004/8904-the-catwalk-dreams-of-brazils-have-nots.html#comment-15758 Well....... I have found this posting very interesting. Being a middle aged black male, who is looking to travel to Brazil in the next few weeks; you have really have set a expectation. I am glad that I am not into stereoetypes. I look forward into seeing what this country has to offer. And I will post my view on my return. I do appreciatea all of the views posted. It shows the diversity and uniqueness we all have and whch should be enjoyed and not criticized..... - Guest Mon, 19 Jun 2006 18:27:08 +0100 http://www.brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/167-december-2004/8904-the-catwalk-dreams-of-brazils-have-nots.html#comment-13244 So what\'s the upshot of all of these wacky posts? I\'ll summarize: 1. It sucks to be black anywhere, but in the States you have a better chance of not being both poor and black. 2. Brazil has a lot of typical 3rd world problems: extreme poverty, scary crime rates. 3. America has a lot of typical 1st world problems: stressed out lifestyles, too much focus on achievement. 4. Brazil has a lot of 3rd world benefits: a more relaxed culture and more time to enjoy family and friendships. 5. America has a lot of 1st world benefits: more money, better standards of living and education. If we could combine the two countries, it would be perfect! - Guest Wed, 03 May 2006 01:28:24 +0100 http://www.brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/167-december-2004/8904-the-catwalk-dreams-of-brazils-have-nots.html#comment-11952 I\'m Brazilian living in the USA (I\'m also an American citizen), when I went back to Brazil for the first time after 4 years here I noticed how racist Brazilian are. If you don\'t think so, go to the South (Porto Alegre, Santa Catarina...), people over there are racist and greed, maybe it is another Brazil that I didn\'t know before (I\'m from Sao Paulo), I\'m what they call \"morena\", and I was treated very badly over there. I love the USA and I was never mistreated here. - Guest Mon, 03 Apr 2006 10:45:24 +0100 http://www.brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/167-december-2004/8904-the-catwalk-dreams-of-brazils-have-nots.html#comment-11951 I\'m Brazilian living in the USA (I\'m also an American citizen), when I went back to Brazil for the first time after 4 years here I noticed how racist Brazilian are. If you don\'t think so, go to the South (Porto Alegre, Santa Catarina...), people over there are racist and greed, maybe it is another Brazil that I didn\'t know before (I\'m from Sao Paulo), I\'m what they call \"morena\", and I was treated very badly over there. I love the USA and I was never mistreated here. - Guest Mon, 03 Apr 2006 10:44:14 +0100 http://www.brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/167-december-2004/8904-the-catwalk-dreams-of-brazils-have-nots.html#comment-11835 yep, lets box up the prets and send \'em back to Shvuglandia! - Guest Fri, 31 Mar 2006 10:31:59 +0100 http://www.brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/167-december-2004/8904-the-catwalk-dreams-of-brazils-have-nots.html#comment-11099 Poor Brazil, its shameful that a place conquered by the white man couldn\'t be a purely white country. Poor Gisele. At least I\'m sure there is a purely white population, no matter how small. Definitely, Porto Alegre has to become independant. One more thing, the consequences of 11 million slaves in the American continent have been absolutely disgusting . - Guest Fri, 10 Mar 2006 08:03:12 +0100 http://www.brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/167-december-2004/8904-the-catwalk-dreams-of-brazils-have-nots.html#comment-9523 Wow I\'ve never been to Brazil but no thanks! It sounds like a hell hole for black people, especially if they aren\'t admitted that the \"we\'re all Brazilian\" song is getting them nowhere. If you\'re all Brazilian why are there live-in maids having to sleep with their own so-called brothers? Why do blacks get stared at in restaurants? Why was a black college girl beaten for going to school, and it only because news because her father was the mayor? Why was Ronaldo\'s family harassed and barred from entering into their own house? It\'s because they\'re black. As in Afro-Brasileiro. Ask Olodum or Ile Aiye. The reason it\'s important to say Afro-Brazilian and not black is because there are many Brazilians who will not use the word black out of shame and many who are Afro-Brazilian but mulatto in complexion, who are still treated like dirty \"macacos\". And yes you are \"African-Brazilian\". Just ask the Italians families in Vasalia if they think baianas are \"mesmas brasileiras\". You know, the Italian families that are well known for killing black boys who try to date their daughters. It\'s not to separate you from your country or label you. No one likes to be labeled. (We blacks here don\'t like to always think about being black, that\'s part of the reason some of us even go to Brazil, to just not have to think about being black, if only for a little while. But that is just a dream, because the color line in Brazil is very obvious despite the mixes.) It\'s to help you get out of the gutter if you are in there. We\'re not trying to be act like we know everything but we have a very different frame of reference and this situation is hard to get used to. I have studied the Brazilian history, politics, language, and culture for 3 years, converted to Yoruba before becoming an atheist, and still cry to myself thinking that I could never bring myself to see that type of serious racism on top of the unimaginable suffering. If I want to see suffering I\'ll live in Angola where at least it won\'t have something to do with complexion. As for black American people being called \"African-Americans\", it\'s because not all of us are American citizens. Some of us come from Africa and the Caribbean and relocate to America. I come from Africa and was raised in the US, so I\'m not black as in black American. It\'s such a pity. I really wanted to go. The people seem communal, warm, and sweet, not like these hostile racist black people here in the US. They seem open-minded and show off their beauty, not like these fat uptight Puritan wives that try to make young girls like us here feel guilty. They seem to like different people of different colors. They have the right religions, the right sport, the right music, the right weather, the right food, the right clothes, and the right attitudes. But with all the wrong fate. When I go I want to adopt a few poor black Brazilian children. I am appalled at the racist black woman who never said anything about even helping the poor, hiring a live-in maid for her imaginary house that she will build, or adopting the beggars she seems not to be worried about seeing. Maybe one day I\'ll gather the strength to see this inhuman, horrifying sadness for myself but right now I think I\'ll just have to see the Brazil I fell in love with it in my dreams. - Guest Mon, 09 Jan 2006 21:17:03 +0100 http://www.brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/167-december-2004/8904-the-catwalk-dreams-of-brazils-have-nots.html#comment-10060 the man or woman who wrote the stop article - Guest Wed, 21 Dec 2005 14:20:22 +0100 http://www.brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/167-december-2004/8904-the-catwalk-dreams-of-brazils-have-nots.html#comment-9124 I agree with the writer above in some respects. Your average american does need to classify everything. I believe it has to do with the need in puritan anglo culture to see things as absolute. And in America this need seems to have become even stronger than it is in other anglo countries. Sometimes this manifests itself in bad way such as a nuerotic obsesion with race and times in good things such as a strict rule of law that in general works better than in Brazil. In other words there are good and bad things about it. As for people in the US referring to themselves as \"part this or part that\" that stems mostly from people of more recent immigrant decent and is the same in Brazil amongst people in places such as sao paulo. If you get out of the big ethnic centers and go to places such as rural towns in the south or west. No one is going to say \"I am part this or part that\" Other than knowing that they have an english or scotts irish name perhaps just as a brazilian might know he has a portuguese name. These people have been reffering to themselves as americans before the country was even formed. For proof you only need to go back and look at correspondence between the founding fathers and people in europe at the time of the revolutionary war, they were always reffering to themselves as american. In response to not reffering to people by color in brazil, I\'m not sure what part you are from, but having lived both in Bahia and Rio for many years I can say people definentaly use the color of skin to classify people. People us the terms black, white and brown all the time to classify themselves. ( In fact the only time I have ever heard someone refer to themselves as \"lighter skin\" in Brazil such as you do is when they have lived in the US for a long time and want to assert thier nationality over thier apperant race. ) The difference is that in the US in general this stupidly signifies so much more. In the US this signifies who you are supposed to hang out with, how you are supposed to talk ect. And thanks to stupid social pressures if you don\'t act that way you are a \"sell out\". Yes this makes the US frustrating in this sense but brazil is frustrating and illogical in other ways. Unfortunately things that are part of the culture whether logical or good for society or not have usually developed over centuries and will probably take just as long to dissapear. The problem is when people move to Brazil with the expectations that brazilians will see everything as they do. Yes there is racism in brazil, but no it is not the same as in the US. I get the feeling that many of the people writing on this site feel that blacks in brazil should hate the white man as much as they do, as if it is just natural when you are black. The problem with that is that the history is different. - Guest Tue, 22 Nov 2005 05:43:33 +0100 http://www.brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/167-december-2004/8904-the-catwalk-dreams-of-brazils-have-nots.html#comment-9083 I\'m a Brazilian living in the US (for now) and in my opinion, I think people here are much more race-conscious. Man, I\'d never even thought of racism when I lived in Brazil, it was a concept I didn\'t even give much thought to, now that I\'m here.. It\'s all you hear!!! Americans like to classify everything, they don\'t see themselves as one united nation (Even though it\'s written the constitution). As an example, you\'ll find people constantly referring to their ancestry \"I\'m part Italian, and Spanish, etc\". (Note: Most of the time they\'ve never been to those countries, don\'t speak those languages and know nothing about its culture.) You\'ll see Black Americans trying to regain African roots.. Come on guys, YOU ARE AN AMERICAN.. Do you know what goes on in Africa, do you know any of their dialects? Can you honestly identify yourself with citizens of any African country? (Besides having the same skin color). If you are born and raised in a society, you belong to it. That\'s it. You were born in America, that\'s what you are, embrace it, live it. Stop trying to segregate. There are so many Black Americans who succeed in the US when they expand their mental paradigm and just udnerstand that no matter what you are, you will ALWAYS be hated by SOMEONE.. If you\'re a jew, there will be a neo-nazi, if you\'re black, they\'re will be an illiterate moron, if you\'re asian, they\'re will be some other moron not liking you.. Get real, the world will never be a utopic la la land. That\'s what those folks in Washington D.C. need to understand.. They don\'t have to live in poverty anymore. They do because they still hold on to barriers that have already been overcome. Even though I\'m light skinned I\'ve always seen ALL BRAZILIANS as my \"compadres\", when I\'m in Brazil I don\'t call a dark skinned person \"African Brazilian\" or \"Black\", I call that person BRAZILIAN, my brother, my sister, my compatriot. You Americans try to complicate everything, go figure. Here\'s one for you: Since you care about color so much, let\'s get the skin tone right and segregate some more: Beige, light beige, classic ivory, taupe, sienna brown, yellow marroon. =) - Guest Sat, 19 Nov 2005 02:26:14 +0100 http://www.brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/167-december-2004/8904-the-catwalk-dreams-of-brazils-have-nots.html#comment-8736 I\'ve made a short trip to Brazil two yeras ago, i was appalled by the situation of Bkack people oveer there.During my stay there I\'ve never seen a black person driving a car or eating at a restaurant as a matter of fact the black population of these two cities were completely invisible except at the outskirts as you enter the cities when you pass by delapidated houses, slums etc. My friends and I were really amazed at always being the only black faces at restaurants, malls (yes even malls!!!). From what we\'ve seen the population is very mixed, the average person you see in the streets is a combination of the different ethnicities that have come to this part of the world, however it seems that the wealth of the country is concentrated among the people of european descent, these are the ones you mostly see eating out at restaurants, frequenting night clubs, vacations hubs like Florianapolis. We\'ve had a good experience there, we were treated with respect and we never felt in any ways ill regarded because we were black. In any case we came back to the US with the idea that the Black Brazilians are completely marginalized and we got an added appreciation of how far the US has gone in terms of race relations and the overall improvement of its Black population. - Guest Mon, 31 Oct 2005 16:02:34 +0100 http://www.brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/167-december-2004/8904-the-catwalk-dreams-of-brazils-have-nots.html#comment-8154 It was clearly seen in the New Orleans tragety with Katrina. The US government showed that it cared not for all those thousands of AfroAmericans that could not evacuate the city and were standed in the city without food or water. - Guest Sun, 09 Oct 2005 04:42:22 +0100