JUNE
1998
LETTERS

Your *&$#!!!
magazine

I would like to air my displeasure with Brazzil—it should be written with an s—a vehicle for divulging the culture of Brazil in America, which unfortunately only publishes articles with pornographic content, including "guides" or "dictionaries" of cussing words in Portuguese. I am sure that your magazine would be able to show the cultural side, the natural beauties, the music, the economic and technological advances, and so many other features that would present our country in a more positive way.

The impression of a foreigner who reads your publication, according to American friends, is that Brazil is a country where violence, corruption, and prostitution is part of the daily life. As a Brazilian I am ashamed of recommending your magazine to friends. I hope the level of your magazine will improve.

Rita
Los Angeles, California

Tunnel
Vision

Marco Aurélio Pinto Ribeiro and his "Land Ahoy!" (Brazzil, May '98) is another example of short-sighted journalism by an armchair Marxist. Brazil's social problems are abundant and just giving the land to the Sem Terras (Landless) would be as stupid as this country giving Alaska back to the Russians. For example, the Sem Terras have been allowed to squat on railroad land in Campinas, which has led to tremendous escalation in crime such as armed robberies, burglaries and assaults.

There is a new kind of fear in the neighboring working class neighborhoods. Further, the children of the Sem Terras cause havoc among the children of the working class families at school. Once these neighborhoods were safe and great place to live, but now these residents must live in fear due to short-sighted solutions such as Ribeiro's. The solution to these problems will require debt forgiveness by the U.S. and European banks and other measures beyond the scope of my expertise.

Glen Hurtig
Student at University of Southern California

Another One
for Amado

Thank you for publishing the letter defending Jorge Amado in the last issue of Brazzil. I was also very surprised to see such a vicious and unsubstantiated attack on one of Brazil's most famous and beloved writers. An unrepentant leftist, Brazil nut, and Amado fan,

Charlotte Casey
San Jose, California

In Defense of
the Forest

I applaud Émerson Luís (Brazzil/April '98) for the enlightening article on one of Brazil's greatest natural treasures: the Amazon rainforest. I also applaud the staff and insightful writers of Brazzil for their contribution to educate both native Brazilians and non-Brazilians about the dangerous plight of the impressive selva biosphere.

Prof. William D. Curran
South Suburban College - Geography Dep.
South Holland, Illinois

Longing
for Brazil

It is always a pleasure each month to see Brazzil at my doorstep. I enjoy your publication very much. It is always so interesting and informative to read and learn more about this magnificent country. Your magazine always brings me saudades loucas to return to Brazil and know more the people and the Brazilian culture. Muito obrigada!

Kim Stephens
Austin, Texas

Brazil
Bound

Your magazine always brings a wealth of knowledge, and I admire your no-censorship attitude in your presentation and content. I hope to learn as much as I can about Brazil, its music, its people, and its rich culture, before I journey south for my first visit. From my early youth I have always had a close affinity for the music and people of Brazil.

Hopefully soon I will be able to travel south and fulfill my lifelong desire to experience the real Brazil firsthand. Please, print my address and phone number for anyone in the U.S. or Brazil to contact me. I am a professional musician performing and loving Brazilian music here in Oregon. And thanks again for a splendid, informative, humorous, and realistic magazine every month!

Michael Howlett
PO Box 8991
Portland, Oregon
Tel.: (503) 823-7066

Right On

Keep divulging our country in a positive, not destructive way. Let us start erasing the stereotyped stupid image of Brazil and, obviously, our own image as scoundrel and irresponsible. The work of Brazzil is commendable. Keep the pot boiling. A humble suggestion: please, more articles on the sub-tropical region. The South has also activities worth mentioning.

Herbert I. Astorga
Glendale, California

Good For
Longing

I would like a one year subscription to your very succinct, wise and humane magazine. The Spirit of Brazil is vibrant in your wonderful publication. You truly help fill the saudade void.

Chi Ciccarelli
West Palm Beach, Florida

Brazil
Source

Wow! What a diverse and informative magazine. I've spent 15 months in Brazil and find your magazine a wonderful resource to keep in touch. Viva Brazil! Please, renew my subscription.

Amy McDonald
Petersburg, Arkansas

From an
Expert

I am truly fascinated and concerned with all the faces of Brazil. It is a diverse and amazing country. I learned of your magazine after reading Fighting for the Soul of Brazil from Global Exchange. They highly recommended you, and I would like to learn more about the current events. Although I’m only 17 years old, I want to involve myself more with what’s happening in the country—from politics to soccer.

Brian Koehneke
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Alive in
Chicago

I was just looking through your wonderful magazine. Here in the Chicago land area there are not very many Brazilians. Your magazine has kept the culture alive for me and Chicago.

Brad Corrêa
Chicago, Illinois

There
with
Brazzil

I currently subscribe to Brazzil and look forward to your magazine every month. I’ve been interested in Brazil for over 20 years and although I have never visited your beautiful country, Brazzil makes me feel as if I’m there. Thank you for a lively, informative, relevant magazine.

Frank Thody
European Stars and Stripes

Unconditional
Love

I love your magazine as much as I love my native country.

Gisele Moraes
Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Ah,
L'amour!

I met the most wonderful guy from Brazil recently in Hermosa Beach, California. He stole my heart right away. His charm and sincerity won my heart in an instant. If he is any indication to what the men of Brazil are like, then I must say that men from Brazil are fabulous! He is so wonderful, down to earth and not afraid to show passion toward a woman.

Many American men are very uptight about showing emotion toward women. I think that the North-American culture has corrupted men into thinking that they are weak if they reveal there inner passions toward their lovers as they should be able to freely express.

Ahhhhhhhh, passion Brazilian style! I hope to experience more. Someday soon I must visit Brazil. For now, I will research and learn more of Brazilian culture and the person that I just met. Longing for Sérgio of Salvador.

Ramona J. Prince
Torrance, California

Tight
Deadline

I´m a student at the José Vasconcelos University in Oaxaca, Mexico. I´m looking for information on the street children killed in Brazil. I don´t know if this information is confidential or not, but I would appreciate if you could tell me about it. I´m doing a paper on Brazil. If you cannot send anything on this subject, please help me with another important topic. I have to finish my assignment by Friday.

Igor Angeles
Oaxaca, Mexico

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