Ah, Brazil
I enjoyed browsing News from Brazil‘s WEB page
and reading some of the articles. Brazil is traditionally perceived
within the Russian culture (I am a New Zealander of Russian extraction)
as one of the most attractive, captivating, almost mystical in its
exotic appeal, countries on Earth, a land of sunshine, aliveness,
beauty and opportunity. These days, when a number of my mathematician
friends and colleagues are moving to Brazil for good and I am planning
my first trip there, discovering the WEB version of your magazine came
as a very nice surprise to me. Saúde de
Wellington.Ah, Brazil
I enjoyed browsing News from Brazil‘s WEB page
and reading some of the articles. Brazil is traditionally perceived
within the Russian culture (I am a New Zealander of Russian extraction)
as one of the most attractive, captivating, almost mystical in its
exotic appeal, countries on Earth, a land of sunshine, aliveness,
beauty and opportunity. These days, when a number of my mathematician
friends and colleagues are moving to Brazil for good and I am planning
my first trip there, discovering the WEB version of your magazine came
as a very nice surprise to me. Saúde de
Wellington.
Vladimir Pestov — Wellington, New Zealand
Just skin deep
I’ve been subscribing to News from Brazil
for over two years now and I’m glad to see the growth and the
positive response to this magazine in the US and in Brazil. However, I
have noticed that some articles related to the Brazilian economy (e.g.
“Looking good” by Carlos E. F. Barreto December ’95) or women (“You’ve
come a long way, baby” by Elma Lia Nascimento June ’95) have covered
the topics superficially, reinforcing misconceptions or stereotypes
about Brazil.
Barreto’s article praises president Fernando Henrique Cardoso’s
politics and economic measures without mentioning their negative
effects. Inflation and unemployment are again on the rise and Cardoso’s
privatization program may make of Brazil another satellite of “global
economics” without bringing the social and economic benefits the
Brazilian people so much need. Nascimento’s article mentioned important
facts about women’s health and approached the issue of domestic
violence (also prevalent in the US), but failed to mention gains women
have made in the professional and social arenas as a result of their
organized lutas.
Eu também gostaria de ver mais artigos em Português, pois afinal esta revista é destinada principalmente a brasileiros que
vivem nos Estados Unidos.
Rozemary Sabino — San Francisco, California
Stressing the similarities
I have to agree with Kirsten Weinoldt’s letter in your February issue. The excerpts from Ana Maria Bahiana’s book
America from A to Z (“America the ugly” January ’96) strike me
as being very superficial and destructive. I made my first trip to
Brazil last October and fell in love with it. The most wonderful
surprise was to find out how similar Americans and Brazilian really
are. Forget the externals football versus soccer, disco versus samba,
Anglo-Saxon versus Latin duh, look a little deeper.
Americans and Brazilians have an incredibly strong common thread.
We are members of the New World. As such, we share an outlook on life
that is shared by few countries in the Old World, in my experience. We
believe in the future. We go after life with gusto, but we’re always
ready to lend a hand to our neighbor. We know we’re young and learning,
and we’re always ready to laugh at our mistakes.
It’s a shame that the American education system doesn’t provide
more exposure to the history and culture of our southern neighbors.
Don’t hold your breath on that one. But those of us who do dare to
cross the equator should rejoice in our similarities not nit-pick at
our superficial differences.
Raymond J. Mataloni, Jr. — rmata@erols.com
That’s the way it is
I’ve really enjoyed reading the article “America the ugly”. I think Ana Maria Bahiana illustrated very well some of the
many stereotypes that US citizens have when it comes to Brazil and South America. I am very interested in purchasing the book.
Everton Rebelo Mendes — Troy, Michigan
Beyond Brazil 101
As a recent expatriate, my Brazilian residency is
enhanced by reading your wonderful magazine. I have recently learned
about a Federal Government program that is called the War College
Program in which about 100 professionals with high IQ are invited for a
one year enrollment. (From what I have learned the title War College is
not an accurate description.) A lady friend has just completed the
program and she was very enthusiastic about what she learned about
Brazil. The enrollees travel throughout Brazil and the program allows
for the group to act as a “think tank” for the betterment of the
country. That’s a program that probably your readers would be
interested in.
Milton Volan — Rio, Brazil
Have it, and enjoy
I’ve just read your article on Carnaval (“Rio’s Follies” February ’96) and found it quite interesting and informative. I
wonder if you would allow us to have it reprinted on our local student paper (`Gair Rhyd’, circulation about 8,000 copies).
Ricardo Calil — Cardiff, United Kingdom
Too close for comfort
While reading your February 1996 issue, I came across an error in one of the articles that you might find interesting. In
“Rio’s Follies”, you accidentally put that slavery was abolished in Brazil in 1988. You only missed it by 100 years.
Cassandra E. Osterloh — Albuquerque, New Mexico
Discussion item
As a Brazilian I feel proud of knowing that your
magazine is so well done. The news, articles, and even the ads are of
the highest quality. It is making it easy to talk about Brazil with
facts and not only with the famous blah, blah, blah. Thank you for the
great work.
Marcello Bomfim — Fresno, California
That’s all
I just wanted to say how well written and put together your magazine is. Keep up the fantastic work!
Urania Mylonas — New York, New York
Three more years
I am enclosing a money order to extend my subscription
to your very interesting magazine for three more years. I especially
enjoy your coverage of Brazilian music and the Brazilian political
situation, including your articles on the situation of Blacks and
Indians in Brazil.
