Letters - December 95

Black awareness

I would like to congratulate BRAZZIL - News from Brazil for the article on the history and current situation of the black population in Brazil (October 95 issue). As a Brazilian myself, I know the implications and the need for such call for awareness. I believe this issue touches the core of social transformation of a nation in which much educational, political, and cultural endeavors must be undertaken in order to put the many historical mistakes in proper perspective.

The notion of social justice in Brazil has for too long overlooked racial issues to the detriment of a serious treatment of the real thing, that is, the losses and pain of the black population. BRAZZIL - News from Brazil is certainly helping to enhance the public's view and promoting a positive forum for discussion.

Sidinei Mendonça — Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, Arizona

Bad taste

Was it really necessary to show a picture of Adriana Galisteu shaving her pubic hair on the latest issue of BRAZZIL - News from Brazil (Rapidinhas, November 1995)? That was a low blow to your readers' good taste. Enough is enough...

Paulo Duarte — Columbia, South Carolina

Stop this!

Not trying to be rude, but what is the point of creating an opening page for Brazil on the WEB, showing a little boy staring sadly at the typist? You guys did a good job on the news, but I think Brazil is rich enough to have better presentations to the world. What about the beaches in Rio, Santos?

No wonder Americans have the impression they have today about our country. The first chance you have to show Brazil into a world connection, you show an Ethiopian-like citizen.

Nitiana Oliveira — University of South Alabama Mobile, Alabama

Born to love Brazil

I am very happy for having subscribed to BRAZZIL - News from Brazil. Since I moved from Los Angeles to Bend, Oregon, I've felt lost in the woods. But receiving your monthly issues and reading the articles and events make me feel alive. Thank you, guys!

There are a few Brazilian students in the area and also in the city of Portland who are anxious to get their first issue of BRAZZIL - News from Brazil. That's one of my purposes in life: promote the Brazilian culture which I'm in love with since I was born.

Thank you for the effort you put in getting the articles, concert, promotions, events, etc., together giving me the opportunity to keep in touch with the people I love so much: Brazilians. Muito obrigada!

Yolanda Segura — Bend, Oregon

What the doctor ordered

Found BRAZZIL - News from Brazil on the World Wide Web. It sounds like my kind of magazine. Enclosed find a money order for $15 for a yearly subscription.

Terry Cooper — Ottawa, Canada

Norway calling

I came across this wonderful magazine while looking for information on Brazil for my university assignment. I understand that a one year subscription would be only $18. I will send the check by mail ASAP. Best wishes.

Janis Stalbergs — Oslo, Norway

Spare our eyes

I love everything about your magazine except small white print on a black background. Headline blacks are OK, but whole text drives my eyes crazy. Also, I'm hoping that as time goes by you'll be getting more advertisers from the Midwest.

Katie Orr — Minneapolis, Minnesota

A steal

Please renew my subscription to this wonderful and informative magazine about our terrinha maravilhosa. Not even in the Cruzeiro Era would I find such a bargain!

H. Marcelo Williams — Alexandria, Virginia

No old issues. Sorry

I am a long-term reader and subscriber and have taken your informative magazine with me to Brazil where it was also nicely received. My subscription expired in May of 95, so I have been without BRAZZIL - News from Brazil all these months and as I renew my subscription I would like to know if it would be possible to backdate the orders to May so that I can receive the copies I have missed.

Lenny Martin — Las Vegas, Nevada

From the Texas colony

Estou no Texas há menos de três meses e muito me alegrou saber que temos aqui nos Estados Unidos uma publicação mensal mostrando as novas do Brasil. Não hesitei. Estou assinando imediatamente. E veja que a turma de brasileiros aqui em College Station (Texas A&M University) é relativamente numerosa. Já ultrapassa, entre adultos e crianças, a cifra de 150.

José Flávio Lopes — College Station, Texas

Joking around

Sua "rapidinha" sobre a Voz do Brazil (BRAZZIL - News from Brazil October 95) recordou-me algumas anedotas sobre a dita cuja.

Durante algum tempo o clamor dos ouvintes forçou a Voz do Brazil a contentar-se com meia hora. No começo, o programa abria com um hino patriótico. Qual? Não me lembro mais. Conta-se que o presidente Getúlio Vargas estava num hotel, numa cidade do Norte, e veio a briosa local fazer-lhe uma serenata. Na sacada do quarto vizinho, uma senhora tomava fresca. Quando a banda rompeu no famigerado hino, ouviu-se de dentro do quarto uma voz rouca: "Oi, Laidinha, desliga o rádio, que a inana vai começar".

Uma variante posterior é do tempo em que a protofonia do Guarani já substituíra o hino. Coloca o Getúlio na casa de um coronel da Guarda Nacional, em Mato Grosso. O rádio ligado todo tempo. Às 19 horas, o coronel finge grande interesse, para agradar o hóspede. Mas da gaiola, um papagaio parlapatão, talvez comuna, imita a voz do patrão: "Mariinha, apaga essa joça!"

Wilson Velloso — Silver Spring, Maryland

Order an article Look at back issues