Another Kind of Black

I read with keen interest the article in the March 2001 edition of Brazzil magazine entitled "Slavery and Freedom". As a black American I have always wondered what differences blacks faced in Brazil. After visiting Brazil and reading several publications, I definitely think that the definition of what race and individual is varies between the US and Brazil. The black American is anyone with African features apparent. Therefore any hint of Afro style hair or skin tone labels you black in the US.

All mulattos are considered black in the US, no matter how fair their skin is. In Brazil a mulatto is not always considered black. Being black with a light complexion, I found that different Brazilians classified me different ways. I probably will never know if the excellent treatment that I received by Brazilians had anything to do with my light skin. However, I doubt it because I spoke too many dark skin Americans and they all received very good treatment (surprise!).

It could be that my status as an American citizen was of far greater importance than my skin color. I do think that Brazilians are more at ease being around blacks. The majority of white Americans still don't have any real black friends. When they hold events such as weddings, etc, the invitees tend to be all white. The only disappointment was the lack of bonding among black people in Brazil.

Generally when I travel the US and see other blacks I usually get a nod or a hello. The look seems to say, "I am sure glad to see you!" This was not the case in Brazil. The look that you get is more of a "so what". I attribute this to the fact that black Americans all know about the struggle that we have faced since coming to America. Even now Martin Luther King, Malcom-X, Nat Turner and other fighters for justice weigh heavily on our minds! I plan on traveling back to Brazil this summer. Perhaps I will nod at the first Black Brazilian that I see and get a nod back...

Brian Coffee
Philadelphia, PA

War Memories

I am an American Indian descent person researching WWII topics for a history project reflecting contributions of Americans of all backgrounds during this era. Persons with WWII memories are now society's elders. I very much would like to correspond with Brazilian-Americans who can relate any of the following:

service in the military, Red Cross, merchant marine, civil air patrol, civil defense organizations, USO, war related industry, etc. I especially want to include a woman's perspective, so if any Brazilian-American women served in the WAC, WAVES, WASP, SPARs, or women marines, please write.

If there is anyone who still lived in Brazil and can relate memories of Brazil during the early 1940s, I'd like to hear from you. I am aware that Brazil entered the war late, but still served the Allied cause. I specially want to hear from Brazilian women, Jewish Brazilians and Brazilians indigenous Indian Ancestry or German heritage.

Too often history portray Anglo whites as the only persons who contributed to WWII victory. Persons who have WWII memories to share are now society's elders. Please write to me at the following address: Robert J. Clark _ PO Box 685 Collinsville, IL 62234

Robert J. Clark
Collinsville, IL

No Gringo Talk

I read with interest Marta Alvin's article "English Spoken Here" and also her interview with Mr. Aldo Rebelo. I've lived in the US for more than 32 years, but I travel often to Brazil. In the last 10/12 years I've been disgusted with the way foreign words have been used. People use foreign words to name their businesses and restaurants, dishes or food cards. The magazines use foreign words or sentences. I once showed an English sentence in a magazine (there were several) to a friend of mine and I asked her if she had understood it. She hadn't.

The worst part is most people don't even know how to pronounce those words correctly or they misspell them. On T-shirts especially, they are misspelled or often make no sense. To substitute foreign words for Portuguese ones, I think is disgraceful! To use foreign words where there are no suitable Portuguese words is fine, but why not do better? Create an equivalent word in Portuguese?

In the late 60s I was reading a Brazilian magazine and came across the word alunissar. At first I didn't understand it, but reading some more I figured it out and thought, "great". If aterrisar is to alight a vehicle on terra, (earth), then alunissar is the correct word for alighting a vehicle on lua (moon). I hope that they'll create a similar one for alighting a vehicle on marte (mars).

Shame on President Cardoso; shame on the Brazilian Academy of Letters; and shame the linguists for going along with the rape of our beautiful português language! I applaud the National Movement in Defense of Portuguese Language and Mr. Aldo Rebelo for their fight. I will join them as soon as I get their addresses.

I decided years ago that, as so much as possible, I will not patronize those businesses with foreign names, unless they are named for their owner like Supermercado Polkign or Bonatto or Casa Müller.

I will retire and return to Brazil in about two years. When there I will have the time to boycott all the businesses with foreign names. I will travel farther and pay more to patronize only businesses with Portuguese names.

Geoniora G. Oliveira
Fountain Valley, CA

Pleasure Reading

I just wanted to tell you that I enjoy reading your magazine online very much. I particularly like Phillip Wagner's articles, especially the ones about Bahia's Afro Blocos. My wife and I recently visited Salvador da Bahia, and saw Didá Banda Feminina perform while we were there. We didn't know anything about them, so it was great to log onto your site and read Mr. Wagner's articles about their history. We hope to read more articles by Mr. Wagner in the future. Thanks for doing such a wonderful job!

Randall Moeller
Seattle, Washington

White over Black

Why do so few blacks appear on the covers of your journal? I have been browsing the website (although not consistently) for more than a year and have yet to see a black face on a cover. It strikes me as strange that a country with such a large percentage of African peoples does not feature them more prominently in the media.

Will Emerson
Via Internet

More than Rio

I am a Brazilian native. I liked your website and it seemed interesting. It had some good work telling us about Brazil Carnaval's history, which is good. On the other hand, I think the page could have told us more about the parades. It is because there are only things about Rio, and Rio is not the only place where we can enjoy the festival. Other places as Bahia and Olinda are very important and represent a lot for us. Moreover, we have many other kinds of music that we listen to during Carnaval. For instance, in Bahia (Salvador, Porto Seguro), axé (type of music) is the music most listened by the people. Axé has developed a lot these past years. All over the country we see people dancing it at clubs, beaches and on TV. I personally think that it is only the beginning of a revolution in the Brazilian history of music. In Olinda, they have this type of dancing and music called frevo, which is nice too. It doesn't have the same energy as axé, but it can easily make people jump all over.

Ricardo
Brazil

Shunning Rio

Man, this is one of the saddest stories that I have ever read ("The Ghosts of Rio"). I just decided to boycott any product or services originating from that cruel city. Thanks for informing us.

Via Internet

A Find

Wow! A magazine for Brazil lovers! This is the first time I have heard of this magazine and I think it is great! I can't wait to subscribe and get the issue every month. Thanks to all who make this possible.

Jennifer Kelsh
International Survey Research
Chicago, Illinois

Why Daniela?

I enjoyed your article "Velloso with a J" in the March 2001 edition of Brazzil. Your account of the monied manipulation of the Brazilian music industry and the social segregation affecting Afro-Brazilian artists was certainly eye opening, but I was puzzled by one of your footnotes.

Footnote #9, intended to make a point about the shallow, class-based marketing of blocos, seems to also be a critique of Daniela Mercury as someone sought out because she is "passably European." I am puzzled; why choose Daniela as your example? Daniela Mercury is far more than some "girl" selected by a small-time bloco for her "European features"! Are we talking about the same Daniela Mercury, the "Axé diva" and world music superstar known for her live performances?

Daniela Mercury has long been a public supporter of and collaborator with the Afro-bloco movement in Salvador. She has performed with both Olodum and Ilê Aiyê, and she has defended to the media Ilê Aiyê's choice to have only dark-skinned members. Her music clearly acknowledges Afro-Brazilian and Bahian influences in musical styles, lyrics, and concert presentation. Daniela has contributed her time socially to Projeto Axé [listed on your own web site] and to UNICEF as a Brazilian ambassador. In Salvador she has been a madrinha to support a smaller neighborhood Afro-bloco. Daniela has also voiced her opinion favoring reform of the process for assigning Carnaval parade times and stated that Afro-blocos and afoxés should be able to perform at earlier hours when more people are likely to see them.

I have seen Daniela perform both in Brazil and in California; she is a world-class musical artist. The goodwill for and interest in Bahian music and culture that she has attracted abroad are incalculable. As for her "long, straight black hair," Daniela has for several years appeared with reddish hair in the curly baiana fashion. For Carnaval 2002, Daniela will no longer be "selected" by a bloco; she has announced that she is leaving the Crocodilo bloco and will perform as an independent.

Anyway, I have become a fan of your articles in Brazzil and look forward to reading the next one. Keep on writing and publishing!

Bernie Magier
Via Internet

Phillip Responds

Bernie, I am most grateful that you have taken the time to read and comment on my recent article detailing the work of Jota Veloso and Mariene de Castro. I also very much appreciate your challenge to my footnote (#9) and its references to Daniela Mercury. I believe my unfortunate phrasing led you to conclude that I was suggesting something other than intended. When I said that "Daniela Mercury, with her European ancestry, straight black hair and slim, very full mouth exemplifies the ideal candidate in this case," I meant only that her appearance fit that description. The statement was not intended to offer an actual example of the preceding one "...the girls who have features considered passably European are sought out to perform in the Carnaval grupos".

In fact I agree completely when you say that "Daniela Mercury is far more than some girl selected by a small-time bloco for her European features". Daniela Mercury is, as you also say, nothing less than a world-class talent and incidentally, as you also point out, a noted supporter of the Afro Bloco movement. I referenced Daniela's features simply because she is so well known that many readers would be able to visualize them. It is a coincidence that Daniela fits the sought after physical ideal of a "passably European" performer that the Brazilian music industry would prefer to invest its time and money in.

Thank you for so effectively articulating things about Daniela Mercury that any fan of Brazilian music, and anyone interested in constructive social engagement in Brazil, should know. Incidentally, you may want to explore the work of Daniela's sister, who is also very talented. Meanwhile, I hope you'll continue to patronize Brazzil and continue to support those in Brazil who are helping people to help themselves. I would be more than happy to discuss the issue with you "off-line" if you like. Everyone can do something. Thank you once again.

Phillip Wagner
pwagner@iei.net

Bahia Connection

Hi Philip, I read your article ("Velloso with a J") in the latest edition of the magazine Brazzil which I found very informative and wanted to check out your web site to see if this is a site I would linked to my site. I am always interested in anything about Salvador as I go there annually as I love the place, music, culture, people, food, etc. I am from Jamaica and live in Maryland just outside Washington, DC. I also host the only Brazilian radio show in the area. Perhaps I will try again sometime to check your web site but it would be good to hear from you anyway.

Tony Carr
www.brasilcarib-connection.com 

Brazilian Pieces

I'm a London based musician and regular reader of your magazine on the net at www.brazzil.com. I happen to be traveling out to Brazil this coming Wednesday, 4th April, to attend a Brazilian Guitar Workshop in Salvador. I will be there for two weeks and return on 19th April. The workshop itself will be for a week and during the second week I may perhaps travel around to some other parts of Brazil.

I was wondering if you might be interested in publishing some articles I plan to write based on my visit pertaining to:

1. The music and their arts scene in Salvador—from the perspective of a visitor

2. The burgeoning growth of Salvador as a Centre of Afro-American Culture

3. The business and commercial scene in Salvador

As a guitarist I have over the years played compositions by Brazilian guitarists and musicians such as Paulinho da Viola, Pixinguinha, Paulinho Nogueira, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sebastião Tapajós, Baden Powell, Garoto, and Vinicius de Moraes. I am African—born in Ghana—I also work on my own compositions that fuse Ghanaian and West African styles and traditions such as Highlife with the Afro-Brazilian styles to create my own unique style.

Some of the pieces that I will be playing during the workshop include the following:

1. Carinhoso, Rosa, Lamento, Um a Zero—Pixinguinha

2. Eponina ( waltz), Ameno Reseda ( choro)— Ernesto Nazareth

3. A Felicidade, Meditação, Samba do Avião—Antonio Carlos Jobim

4. Sete Cordas—Rafael Rabello

5. O Bêbado e o Equilibrista—João Bosco

6. Escapulindo, Valsa da Vida—Paulinho da Viola

I earn most of my living as a globetrotting business management consultant rather than as a musician. Music, is however my first love and I hope, in the fullness of time, to make that my main activity.

Gilbert Nii-Okai Addy
Surrey, United Kingdom

Keep it Fresh

Time for me to renew! Please find enclosed payment for three more years. I always look forward to each new issue, all the articles are " top notch", and I keep current and "learn" something new every month. Don't lose that raw edge journalism that you've always had!

Michel
Portland, Oregon

High Concept

I'm a Brazilian journalist and I have heard about your magazine before. I think it's a great idea since the Brazilian community in the States is getting bigger every year and every day Americans get to know (or want to know) a little bit more about us, our country and our culture.

I got very interested in writing for your magazine, just subscribed for a free issue, and I'd like to know if I write an article in English (with my broken English) if you'd have someone to correct it. I can't wait to see it. I like the idea a lot!

Cris Franca
San Diego, California

Portuguese Helper

As a "gringo" I think Brazzil is a nice supplement to my language studies both for the cultural information on Brazil and the pieces in the magazine that are in Portuguese. Thanks for putting out such an informative, interesting and entertaining publication. Keep up the good work!

Ted Pruitt
Springfield, Illinois

Would-be Contributor

I am a Brazilian who has lived in the USA for a good deal of time, and who enjoys writing very much. I happened upon your site, and was impressed by the quality of the reporting. I would be exceedingly interested in writing some articles for your site. However, first, I wish to clear a few things up. Specifically, how large is your circulation, and what is your target demographic? Do you pay for articles, or for series of articles/columns?

João Augusto Vargas
Via Internet

Hot Shot

I was at the Brazilian Carnaval 2001 at the Hollywood Palladium. I was in a gold costume with a gold $ sign money hat with gold platform shoes. I have long light brown hair. I am seeking photographers who took my pictures. I would like copy of photo. Please contact me. Thank you.

Doll Hansen
Shangrilala@webtv.net 

Looking for Cláudia

I am working on a computer graphics animations about the Yanomami Indians from Brazil. I read an article on your web page http://www.brazil-brasil.com/p23mar99.htm   and I would like to get in touch with the photographer Cláudia Andujar about her authorization to use some photos in our animation. This animation will play on an international festival. I need her phone number or e-mail. Thank you for your assistance.

José Virgilio Braghetto
Via Internet

Brazil Readers

I was doing some research on literacy rates in post-emancipation societies and was having extreme difficulty finding literacy rates in Brazil after emancipation. Do you know where I could find such material?

Ed Blum
Department of History
University of Kentucky

High Five

Congratulations for the article "Where to Find Spirits". It was very well done, with good research.

Celso Fontanelli
Brazil, Via Internet

Best for the Buck

Please renew my subscription for five years. You certainly have the best value in a magazine that I have ever seen. I really enjoy your publication and look forward to reading it every month. Thank you.

James Tellock
Hortonville, WI

Soap Genius

La novela empezó hace una semana y no me pierdo un capítulo. Ustedes son los genios de las telenovelas, un beso desde Perú para todos los actores y realizadores de una eterna admiradora de sus producciones.

Eva Camacho
Peru

Moving Words

Morando na Bélgica há anos, atrás deste país feito de ferro e aço, leio e releio as palavras de Manoel de Barros e ainda consigo me comover com cada uma delas.

Elaine Borges Van Elst
Belgium, Via Internet

Hint

Fiquei conhecendo hoje a Brazzil (através de dicas de dois colaboradores da revista—Paulo Rebelo e a Ana Paula Corazza) e pensei que talvez vocês achassem interessante incluir na seção de links o da Global Press que é uma revista virtual atualizada diariamente com as notícias que os jornais (e algumas revistas) estrangeiros estão publicando sobre o Brasil. Vale a pena dar uma olhada; apesar de ser em português, nosso público leitor é parecido com o de vocês, gente que se interessa pela imagem do Brasil no exterior.

O site da Global Press foi criado há um ano e meio por um grupo de jornalistas com experiência em agências de notícias estrangeiras, que perceberam o interesse dos brasileiros em geral (inclusive os que vivem no exterior) em saber o que se fala do país lá fora.

Anna Lúcia Carneiro
Editora Global Press Brazil
www.globalpress.com.br 

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