“World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not just mere absence of violence. Peace is, I think, the manifestation of human compassion.”
― Dalai Lama
Please note: I am the least political person in the world. I don’t like discussing politics and religion, normally wanting to keep my opinions to myself and avoiding conflict. I will tell anyone what I think if I am asked but I will not go out of my way to address certain issues. I also don’t feel I have read enough and understand enough to opine, but I feel the need to say something, from my Brazilian heart. There is danger in keeping quiet, there is danger in not voicing your opinions, there is danger in going with the flow.
In addition, Ex sent me a text saying how sorry he was about the protests going on in Brazil. I replied thanking him and saying it was a good thing. He was shocked by my reply to agreeing with a protest for a few cents. This morning he sent me this article saying that now that he read it my reply makes more sense:
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-988431?hpt=hp_bn8
So, I decided to write about the protest going on in Brazil right now.
“You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.”
― William Wilberforce
Today I am wearing my Brazilian Soccer jersey, which a lot of my co-workers thought it was because Brazil beat Mexico yesterday in a soccer game. So I guess I am killing 2 birds with one stone 🙂 My soccer jersey is to show my support to Brazil and perhaps an invitation to people to talk to me about Brazil, and I can’t deny I love Brazilian soccer.
The idea of the protest in Brazil is a good thing. I think it does lack a bit of clarity. Is there a clear list of demands? oh wait, is that what protesters do or perhaps that is what hijackers do? whatever it is I am confused to what we (Brazilians) want. We want change, but perhaps at this time we need to be more specific and spell it out the list of changes!
“Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace.”
― Albert Schweitzer
The protest is not about the increase of a few cents on public transportation fares! It is about the never ending corruption and inequality. It is about the changing of laws to protect the corrupt and powerful. It is about hospitals and schools in deplorable state. It is about so much more.
I hate to see hurt and destruction provoked by vandals and criminals that take the opportunity of the protest to cause chaos; but to the protest and the reasons behind it I say: “It is about time!”
Next year will mark 30 years of leaving Brazil and living in the USA. In all these years I go to Brazil every year and have the opportunity to notice the changes in our economy and way of life. Also my family lives there, so I know how their lives have improved. Brazilians now have jobs available, we are eating better, travelling more, have access to everything the First world has (and speaking of First world, Second World, Third World, what is up with that? we are all one world!!!). We have come a long way, and I see improvements in most areas, but still we are so far from where we could and should be.
Education, healthcare and the justice system needs an immediate overhaul. Income inequality is another area that needs to be addressed asap.
The past several years I have witnessed a resurgence of “being proud to be Brazilian”. I credit Lula (former President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva) for putting Brazil in the world economy map and bringing about change. I may not agree with everything he has done, and he has had his share of political scandals, but there was decidedly an improvement in the economy in Brazil caused by his presidency. No single person alone can change a country and please everybody.
“Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace.”
― Amelia Earhart
When I speak, I speak of my experience, I speak of my family’s experience living in the suburbs of Sao Paulo. The experience and lives of people living in other areas of huge Brazil are vastly different. The truth is, to one degree or another the entire Brazil suffers.
I have been happy with the little improvements in Brazil. Perhaps that has been Brazil’s problem all along: to be happy with the little that has been offered, never causing any waves, always wanting to please. When you never had much a little can seem huge! As long as we have our Sunday football, yearly carnival, daily soap operas, we are happy and quiet!
Criminals go impune hiding behind an outdated criminal code (he/she is a minor, it is his/her first offense, and the list to go totally scot free goes on and on and on. Criminals get arrested today and go free on the same day. The Brazilian Legal System has become a joke. Brazilians citizens have lost total faith.
I pray this opportunity for the Powers that Be to take notice and do something about it is not wasted. But honestly I don’t have high hopes.
In Brazil we are so used to things not getting done, not getting resolved, specially with the politicians in Brasilia, that we even coined a term “tudo vai acabar em pizza”, meaning “everything will end up in pizza”. It means they will talk about it, fight with each other, say they have the people’s best interest at heart, but in the end all stays the same and the politicians, or the people in charge, end up in a bar eating pizza together.
The coming up World Cup is the icing on the corruption cake! Where is all the money going?
I am proud, happy and blessed to be both Brazilian and American. My prayers go to my fellow Brazilians living in Brazil. May we be noticed and heard!
My truth is I have 2 loves which I cannot say which one I love more. Brazil is my first love, Brazil is in my blood and in my heart. US is my day to day, the welcoming open arms, the land of opportunity. Brazil is my biological country, US is my adoptive country!
My heart aches for Brazil, Turkey, Syria, anywhere and everywhere in the world where there is political turmoil and unrest. May compassion be in the heart of all, may the powerful be kind, may the weak be strong. May understanding be a bridge to a peaceful destination.
“The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace.”
billgncs said:
well said. A corrupt or overly powerful government is a terrible oppressive force.
LikeLike
A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you! Very hard for me to discuss certain subjects but at the same time some things shouldn’t be swept under the rug! Blessings! 🙂
LikeLike
Denise Browning said:
I am Brazilian and a blogger. I quite understand you and your position. My prayers are that things improve a lot down there. The protests are not for 20 cents…It is much more than that!!! People is tired of corruption, people is tired of paying so much taxes and getting so little for public education, health, decent transportation,and so many other basic needs. I do not support violence, but I do support pacific manifestations that demand from the government basic rights and honest politics.
LikeLike
A Star on the Forehead said:
Hi Denise. Well said!! Pacific demonstration is a beautiful thing! Let’s hope and pray together for a better Brazil!! Many blessings to you! 🙂
LikeLike
weggieboy said:
Well put.
LikeLike
A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you! Blessings! 🙂
LikeLike
catterel said:
Very well put – praying for Brazil 🙂
LikeLike
A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you for the prayers, they mean a lot! Many blessings! 🙂
LikeLike
Bee said:
Great post! I’m half brazilian half italian and I know exactly what you’re talking about. I’ve lived there and Brazil will always be my home. So glad you decided to write about it.
LikeLike
A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you so much my fellow Brazilian! Many blessings to you and your cool blog! 🙂
LikeLike
lulubelle7537 said:
Very beautiful and beautifully written post, I love your style of writing and your attitude–you remind me of myself and made me resize I’m not as lame as I thought I was…in fact I like myself more because I know I’m not alone 🙂 Thank you for the wonderful post!
LikeLike
A Star on the Forehead said:
Hi Lulubelle, oh, thank you so much! Nothing lame about you! Start being your biggest fan and the Universe will join in! A blessed weekend to you! 🙂
LikeLike
ambitiouspoet said:
Hi! I recently stumble on your blog and am already in love with all the wonderful things! I would like to nominate you for the WordPress Family award! http://ambitiouspoet.wordpress.com/2013/06/21/i-am-part-of-the-wordpress-family/
LikeLike
A Star on the Forehead said:
Hello! Thank you so much brightening my day with this award!! Thank you for the kind words! I am intrigued to read your blog!
Many blessings! 🙂
LikeLike
ambitiouspoet said:
You’re welcome 🙂
LikeLike
IVFfervescent gal said:
I’m fascinated by what is happening in Brazil. One million people! Thank you for this post.
LikeLike
A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you for liking! Many blessings! 🙂
LikeLike
MasonBentley said:
I add to the voices for your prayers to be answered xxx
LikeLike
A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you so much! Very much appreciated! A blessed weekend to you! ::)
LikeLike
crimsonowl63 said:
Thank you for the informative post. I had no idea. Typical American I’m embarrassed to say. I will certainly try to learn more.
LikeLike
A Star on the Forehead said:
You are welcome! As far as being a typical American, I don’t think there is such a thing. I think you are special and you should see yourself that way too! As far as needing to know more, we all do! I certainly don’t know enough about either one of my 2 countries! Welcome to the blogging world and to my blog! Many blessings to you! 🙂
LikeLike
SerachShiro said:
Love this article and you’re totally right, thanks for open your mouth and say what have 🙂 to be said !
LikeLike
A Star on the Forehead said:
and thank you very much for listening! 🙂 Many blessings to you and your stylish blog!! 🙂
LikeLike
SerachShiro said:
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
kimberlyakinola said:
You took a bold step in writing this article, most people would have shy away from it and it’s sad to hear what is going on underground there… well done
LikeLike
A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you so much! I wan starting to feel like a hypocrite if didn’t write my feelings about it! Many blessings to you! 🙂
LikeLike
kimberlyakinola said:
Bless you much for opening our eyes to what is wondering in this world of ours.
LikeLike
A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you for reading! Many blessings! 🙂
LikeLike
kimberlyakinola said:
Sorry for the typo, meant ‘happening’ & not wondering.
LikeLike
A Star on the Forehead said:
no worries, typos happen to all of us! 🙂
LikeLike
Maryanne said:
I’ve been following this too, prayers for your country.
LikeLike
A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you! Prayers always welcomed! 🙂 Blessings!
LikeLike
scottishmomus said:
Changing the world one act at a time. Well done.x
LikeLike
A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you! That is kind of you for saying that! A blessed week to you! 🙂
LikeLike
scottishmomus said:
You’re welcome and thanks.x
LikeLike