What was so fascinating about her story was the simple and non-sensationalistic
approach to the narrative. Furthermore, the human side of the story was
outstanding. While reading her short story, I found myself identifying
with the main character in many situations. The accuracy of this fictional
piece was impressive and many times similar to the reality I lived when
I was still in Brazil. Short stories like this, other literary articles
(such as the one about Clarice Lispector), and your music columns make
Brazzil a great source of information.
I am sorry, however, that I cannot say the same about your Rapidinhas.
The contents in that section are despicable. I am Brazilian and realize
that what you present in that column does appear in the Brazilian media,
but it is not in a publication of the caliber that Brazzil can be.
With the public you reach, you are doing Brazil a disfavor and perpetuating
a bad stereotype. The tone of the articles and the photos associated with
them are generally far from what the respectable press publishes in Brazil.
If you want to continue with your Rapidinhas the way they have been, you
might as well get the financial benefit of also advertising those 900 numbers
found in sex magazines. You will, however, continue to lose a lot of your
readership.
Egídio Leitão
egidio@mail.utexas.edu
Austin, Texas
Thought You
Were Serious
For your knowledge, Brazil is not the only country on earth where we see
scandals. The USA is full of them, with the President being a part of a
big one. The language used in this publication shows only prejudice an
lack of information. Too bad. I thought at first that this was a serious
journalistic publication. What a shame...
Paula F.
Brasília, DF, Brazil
Indecency
Antidote
Find attached a very good and positive article about Caetano Veloso published
by the
Los Angeles Times. Now you don't have any excuses for presenting
indecent and pornographic materials.
Evie Blount
Huntington Beach, California
For Beauty's Sake
Thanks for your fine publication! I read every word in each issue. Please
don't let the small-minded suppressors of free speech (like the Consul
who won't distribute your magazine because she doesn't like the content)
inhibit you from publishing interesting and provocative articles and photographs.
The human body is not a shameful thing. It is a gift of God to be appreciated,
admired and respected. An occasional sensual photograph in your publication
adds a touch of beauty and fantasy to an otherwise serious publication.
(A male nude would be nice too now and then!)
I wish to add a bit to May's article on homosexuality in Brazil. It
was my friend and co-minister, Onaldo Alves Pereira, who performed the
wedding of Luís Mott to his partner. Rev. Pereira is not Catholic,
but was a minister in the Church of the Brethren (an historic peace church
with about 150,000 members in the U.S.). Soon after performing the wedding,
Rev. Pereira lost his credentials in the Church of the Brethren, but he
continues to pastor the Comunidade Pacifista Cristã in Brazil.
The Comunidade is a church which does not discriminate based on sexual
orientation and which celebrates the commitment and love two adults of
any gender share with each other. Rev. Pereira and I cofounded the Comunidade
in 1987 and it has, in spite of church burnings and threats of violence,
continued to offer a voice of hope, peace and love to oppressed people
throughout Brazil. Rev. Pereira is a gentle but prophetic voice who should
be honored for his participation in the struggle to ensure equality for
all Brazilians.
Steve Newcomer
West Hollywood, CA
Pleasing a Friend
I have enjoyed
Brazzil magazine for some time now. I have also attended
a few of the nightclubs and cultural affairs that were advertised or listed
in the magazine. I've shown several issues to a friend. He likes
Brazzil
so much, he gets excited when we talk about articles he has enjoyed,
and things Brazil. He reads
Brazzil from cover to cover. My wife
and I would like for him to have a gift subscription. Enclosed is a money
order for a two-year subscription.
P.S.: It would be great to read articles about samba schools, in particular,
and in general. Perhaps, if enough info on the makeup of a samba school
was related in articles in Brazzil, it might spark those who know
little about samba schools, like myself, to join a local group or start
one in their community. Information is not only power, but most encouraging.
Thank you and keep looking up.
Bill Randolph
Alhambra, California
Giant Task
Please renew my subscription for the next couple of years. My copy has
started to arrive almost midway through the month now. Can you mail it
a little earlier please. Not being Brazilian nor having been to Brazil,
one of the things I appreciate about
Brazzil is the variety of opinions,
viewpoints, and the dialogue that seems to get generated around the various
topics you cover and how you cover them. It must be a monumental task to
try to decide what to present each month on a country as large and diverse
as Brazil is.
Cheryl Harrison
Seattle, Washington
Just the Best
I just saw
Brazzil for the first time and I think it is very good!
I am an ex-journalist (music critic), and current jazz musician and samba
percussionist married to a
Carioca sambista. I've read all of the
Brazilian magazines, newspapers, etc., published on the East Coast, and
yours is superior to all of them. Congratulations!
Amy Duncan
New York, New York
Can You Help?
I read Bruce Gilman's article on Carlinhos Brown (
Brazzil, September
1996) and I simply loved it. Great writing. I am music critic for the Spanish
newspaper
El Nuevo Herald in Miami. I have been trying to locate
Mr. Brown for an interview and I was wondering if you have any way to reach
him. Thank you for any help.
Eliseo Cardona
Miami, Florida
Fans Exaggerate
We adore
Brazzil. For the quality of its articles, level of information
and perfect writing. The Brazilian community feels honored to have
Brazzil.
Many thanks for giving us this pleasure.
Rosalia and Scott Ennis
North Bay Village, Florida
And what do
you think?
