What is Being Brazilian Good For by Nil Van de Velde
Nine out of ten Brazilians living abroad consider they "did the right thing" by deciding to leave their country for a new beginning somewhere around the globe. Despite a constant craving for the homeland (and, in certain cases, a real desire to go back), Brazilians expats in Europe, for instance, don't generally feel like giving up certain aspects of life on the continent, such as well-payed jobs and, definitely, low crime rates. When comparisons with the local conditions in Brazil are made, a great number of nationals are quick to declare the will to stay where they are, no matter how - emotionally speaking - pricey it could be. As a matter of fact, many are grateful for having escaped the political and economical chaos down below the Equator line.
In order to guarantee residency, some don't even hesitate in taking citizenship in the country of immigration, regardless of the consequences, such as becoming aliens in their own land. "Who cares?" - will the usual answer be, when inquiries on the issue turn up. In fact, a number of Brazilians don't take this for a political, but rather a comfortable decision. At the end of the day, being an European Union's member state's passport holder makes "traveling to the US a lot easier", one would justify. Far from this romantic point of view though, the wish to compromise to the new nationality seems to be rather timid. In case war or some other kind of public disgrace would take place, the majority of ex-Brazilians, as widely declared, would not doubt fleeing back to "the roots" - now good enough to allow some peace and quiet.
This relative coolness in handling with one's own identity, rather than making of them ideal immigrants - perfectly adaptable to habits and rules - tells a lot about a lack of interest in the historical process that leads a country to the position of providing its citizens the basic human rights. In a recent article, Brazilian writer João Ubaldo Ribeiro, remarked that Brazil is not in need of a new harvest of politicians, but of a "reformed" folk. One should stop waiting for a hero, a superman who will beam the people directly up into the 21st Century. Much more than trying to find individual solutions, as crawling towards the "First World", Brazilians should rather be working on changing their great faith on European-style social welfare, lately proved not to be bullet-proof. What Brazil needs, concluded Ribeiro, are Brazilians who love it.
One of these nights, on a German TV network, a Hindu fruit salesman living in the country was shown on an interview, right after the late earthquake in India and Pakistan. The devastated man silently showed his sorrow and pain, and instead of being pleased about his great escape, as many Brazilians would, he wished he would be home at that moment. Being an immigrant was, for him, no reason for happiness; it only showed his very personal tragic fate, that of a man far away from where his heart lies. Seeing that man, I reluctantly had to admit: in nine out of ten cases, Brazilians really live on taking the next best available opportunity. For the matter, which Brazilian would want to pile up broken stones back into the shape of a house, on a freezing Winter day?
In order to guarantee residency, some don't even hesitate in taking citizenship in the country of immigration, regardless of the consequences, such as becoming aliens in their own land. "Who cares?" - will the usual answer be, when inquiries on the issue turn up. In fact, a number of Brazilians don't take this for a political, but rather a comfortable decision. At the end of the day, being an European Union's member state's passport holder makes "traveling to the US a lot easier", one would justify. Far from this romantic point of view though, the wish to compromise to the new nationality seems to be rather timid. In case war or some other kind of public disgrace would take place, the majority of ex-Brazilians, as widely declared, would not doubt fleeing back to "the roots" - now good enough to allow some peace and quiet.
This relative coolness in handling with one's own identity, rather than making of them ideal immigrants - perfectly adaptable to habits and rules - tells a lot about a lack of interest in the historical process that leads a country to the position of providing its citizens the basic human rights. In a recent article, Brazilian writer João Ubaldo Ribeiro, remarked that Brazil is not in need of a new harvest of politicians, but of a "reformed" folk. One should stop waiting for a hero, a superman who will beam the people directly up into the 21st Century. Much more than trying to find individual solutions, as crawling towards the "First World", Brazilians should rather be working on changing their great faith on European-style social welfare, lately proved not to be bullet-proof. What Brazil needs, concluded Ribeiro, are Brazilians who love it.
One of these nights, on a German TV network, a Hindu fruit salesman living in the country was shown on an interview, right after the late earthquake in India and Pakistan. The devastated man silently showed his sorrow and pain, and instead of being pleased about his great escape, as many Brazilians would, he wished he would be home at that moment. Being an immigrant was, for him, no reason for happiness; it only showed his very personal tragic fate, that of a man far away from where his heart lies. Seeing that man, I reluctantly had to admit: in nine out of ten cases, Brazilians really live on taking the next best available opportunity. For the matter, which Brazilian would want to pile up broken stones back into the shape of a house, on a freezing Winter day?
posted by Anonymous
|
link it
<< Home