Host City Blues...

On an ill-afforded trip to London, this past weekend I found little evidence to support the British press claims that they are one of the few how cities to make sports buildings profitable.  An almost empty Queen Elizabeth's Olympic Park, did not convince me that British press was doing any better than numerous other host cities.  The worker's outnumbered the visitors 2 to 1, and the worker's seemed nonplussed to see a lone camerawoman documenting their labor.  It reminded me of the wizard of OZ making sure no one saw behind his facade.

Meanwhile Brazilians living in London, were in full support of the strikes, and even the riots which they believe are effectively timed because of the attention the country is claiming via the World Cup 2014 and the Olympics 2016.  It was in Rio, the "Marvelous City" back in June 2013 that the first of the PAC 2 promises was made to use recent investment to bring water and waste improvements;  transportation; and other upgrades to infrastructure.   Now its the end of October and those promises are extending to other regions in the country.  The question is will these promises mean actual long-term improvements for teachers and health industry professionals, in time for Brazilians to re-focus, on creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs, and/or training the service, and tourism industry in the most common language English.  

The demonstrations have been escalating from the relative calm of effigies, and banners

...to actual bullets in Police guns and an increase in broken property. 

Aside from the riots, Brazilians in London for the most part are very realistic in realizing that the back to back World Cup 2014 and then Olympics 2016, is almost to big a bite to chew.  I repeatedly heard a sentiment that I fully agree with "its people that will make these two events possible.  Various Brazilians that I spoke with brought up their forgiving nature, and the ability to give everyone their undivided attention at that moment, that will be the saving grace of this "Double Host" country.

Help!!!

There is a picture in my computer of a woman created by a graffiti artist that I hate, and yet I respect that the artist is bringing attention to a harsh reality in Brazil, and in a lot of countries of color.

Why is the darker woman always demonized?  Why is there a saying that Brazilians prefer the lighter skinned women to marry, and the darker skinned women to have as a mistress, or more bluntly for sex?

I can't help the way I feel about this image because I am a darker skinned sister, and my gut reaction every time I see this image, whether it be in my computer, or from a van/bus going up Avenida Niemeyer in Rio.  

I can't decide if its the negative energy coming out of the eyes, or the almost pointed ears, that makes me think of evil, and I'm not sure what this artist meant to represent.  What I have come to respect is that having seen numerous graffiti artist retag or paint over old work, this image has not been changed significantly in the past three years since it came to my attention.  Are the other artist acknowledging something that they respect in the artistry displayed here, or is there a another reason this image has not been changed.  I venture to guess that its because a lot of the Brazilian graffiti is in your face about the negative aspects of their culture, as well as the positive and they realize that this stereotype of the dark skinned woman is a reality in Brazilian culture. 

Another image that I find offensive is a graffiti artist's work I found in Sao Paolo.

I can not presume to know what the artist meant by this image, but the fact that the woman is faceless and represented naked and semi-starved is not beautiful to me personally.  I constantly fight with my own weight issues and again as a darker skinned woman maybe I'm over sensitive, but why doesn't she have a face, or feet?  Questions like these plague me, yet I also respect both artist because they've brought a very real part of Brazilian culture to light.

SPIRIT

A person that I respect said that the three entities that they hate the most in Brazil are the government, the press and the police.  I think that when anyone, anywhere is made to feel powerless then, that person would share in that feeling.  I am close to people that are living and working in Rio, and I know that they are truly torn.

They would like to believe in the promises these groups make however, when they try and communicate by peaceful means they are largely ignored, and then peaceful demonstrations are escalated into violent acts by people (be it the government, or the police, or the press) that want to sway public opinion for capitalist reasons.  Sure, if everyone demonstrating was supporting radical behavior then eventually the capitalist will without conscience do whatever they want...plow the favelas, and continue the meritocracy that has been the norm, but some people still see the merit in organized protest.  They don't stand behind a name like Black Bloc, but they want to fight while they have the worlds attention.  Its a catch-22.

What is the mother to do who needs to know that at least for the few hours of education the government provides for her child, the child is in the hands of people that are fairly compensated, and motivated to be responsible.  How can the average citizen, that can't afford private schools able to benefit from the World Cup or the Olympics, if they are constantly in emergency childcare mode.

The government is continuing to make promises as is pictured below:

When will the government, the press and police start to REALLy protect the people against, the irresponsible reporting of violence.  I am not a fan of misrepresenting the truth or restraining the press but someone has to realize that the victims are the people of Brazil, whose fight against inflation on top of poor education, inadequate postal services, insufficient medical services, and corruption have a lot of people strained to their limit.  Why are the news articles about the broken promises not picked up by the World News?  Is the President trying to make changes for the people?  I still think she is, but I realize that as foreign doctors, and foreign oil/dock workers, and foreign tourism companies flood the country, Cariocas can't help but feel left out of they wave of improvements.

Its a muddy situation, but one that must become transparent because, after the World Cup, the Olympics are right around the corner.  The light at the end of the tunnel is the resiliency of the Brazilian spirit.  They are a people that have been fighting against oppression throughout their history beginning with colonization, and continuing in some form until present day, but they still maintain a sense of community, in spite of the hardships they endure.  I'm putting my money on that spirit, a spirit of forgiveness and giving, and I repeat, community that sets them apart.

Here in the States I can finally lift my head from the shame of our government shutdown.  I can completely relate to the distrust of the press, the government and the police, that my brothers and sisters in Brazil deal with everyday.