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
 

Paula F.
Brasília, DF, Brazil

 

Evie Blount 
Huntington Beach, California
 

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

---

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

 

Cheryl Harrison 
Seattle, Washington

 

Amy Duncan 
New York, New York

Eliseo Cardona 
Miami, Florida

Rosalia and Scott Ennis 
North Bay Village, Florida