Community...

I have recently been thinking about what this word means, and I've come to realize that in this day and age there is no limit to the size of your community, it just depends on how you define this word.  When I think of my own community, I think of the people that I pass when taking my weekly walks in the community who have the nerve to tell me "You're running a little late today..." as I pass.  The people in the beauty supply store who ask me if I've been out of the country.  I consider my community to be my friends and family that I keep in touch with and care about, and share things with, even when we are not even on the same continent.  I think of my work community, of fellow flight attendants who share things like missed periods, and grandchildren about to be born, and my family in Texas, who shares news about Obama, and my family in New York, that shares news about recipes, and diets, and funny email jokes.  Community is important to us all, and as I recently read about the BOPE, the first military presence entering favelas and then the UPP, the "new police" who are supposed to be the new authorities, taking over for the traffickers, being run out of some favelas, my first instinct because I have the luxury of being distanced literally from these situations, was I'll not focus on the negative, I won't write, "is everybody ok!"  Thinking that the people that know I care will know that they are in my thoughts and prayers.  More importantly, I remind myself, that some of my friends in Brazil, have better things to do with their time, than chatting on Facebook, or blogging about their daily life.  I've actually starting feeling fortunate whenever I hear from anyone that I care about, because even though its easier, it sometimes is not "Easy" to reach out.

In fact, as one friend wrote..."they woke me up", you can't not speak about injustice you have verbalize how you feel, and share those feelings.  Having the World Cup in Brazil for the first time, since 1978, is a positive thing.  However, I also know that this much attention on one place has the potential to have governments look for quick solutions to long standing problems.  I used to work for ABC Television Network, and I know that at best the outside world will hear just the tip of the iceberg with regard to what is really going on to create this image of a country cleaning up for the World Cup.  I do know that I have seen pictures of people attempting to go about their daily lives even as police are shaking down counter-fitters, and traffickers, right across the street.  When I am in Chinatown in New York City, and see one of the vendors being harassed by police across the street, and I realize that I had bought something from the same vendor the month before.  This is my sense of community, there but for the grace of God could be me, witnessing violence to my community up close and personal, or even being drawn into the violence.  I think of my son, who we just took out to dinner to celebrate him getting his Masters degree, and I hope the young children passing the police raids on the favela street corner, continue on to school, and are not disheartened.

The funny part is my documentary has afforded me an opportunity to speak to people in various communities in Rio de Janeiro, where the most recent upheavals have occurred.  There are actually people that believe the hype, the UPP, the passification process is going smoothly, and is welcome by the favela communities.  At least that is what they say into the microphone, but maybe turning a blind eye is part of wanting the added tourism, and financial investment to continue.  Maybe some people choose to look beyond today, to a future that includes more hospitals being built, more bank branches being built, and more work opportunities opening up, as the World Cup and the Olympics get closer.

While busy acquiring a new computer, learning a new editing program, and sending out grants to fund my documentary WHY BRAZIL, it has also been important to keep in touch with my community, and to exchange information about opportunities for free training that are opening up in Rio, and even attempting to get a group of fellow flight attendants to go with me on my next trip to Brazil.  Ultimately, my interest in Brazil, has led me to meet some people that don't have the luxury of sticking their head in the sand, and are therefore forced to be as honest as possible about their dreams, the priorities, and this honesty and focus on the now is spilling over into everything I do.