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    Current Affairs

    June 18, 2013

    Brazil's Protests: The Giant Awakens

    Did you think you'd live to see the day? Some Brazilians were asking that question today during a series of historic, nationwide protests. One of the recurring themes? The giant awakens. Finally, finally, it seemed, Brazil had awakened from a long stupor, and Brazilians had finally stood up to demand change. While bus fares were still on the agenda, Brazilians turned out to demand more from the government: less corruption, better transportation, education, and public health, more security, less for the World Cup, more for the public good.

    Centro
    Rio de Janeiro

    The protests brought an estimated 100,000 people to the streets of Rio, 65,000 to São Paulo, 20,000 to Belo Horizonte, 10,000 to Curitiba, and thousands to cities all over the country (see a full map of the protests here). Seeing that many people assemble in Rio to protest--and not for Carnival--was a beautiful sight. Some protesters said if you looked around, you couldn't see where the crowd began or ended. An amazing Vine video gives you a sense of the size.

    Protesters and journalists alike remarked how amazing it was to see so many people exercising their rights, and in most cases, protesting peacefully. "That's what I'm going to tell my children; that's what made me feel truly Brazilian for the first time in my life," wrote a friend at the Rio protest. "I think [that was the case] for many people." People marveled at the fact that Brazilians seem to care more about the protests than the Confederations Cup.

    Movimentosemcorrupcao
    According to reports, though many protesters were young, there were people from a variety of ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. Though some still opposed the protests, people from different parts of the ideological spectrum--especially young people--showed support.

     

    Saopaulo
    São Paulo

    Even those who stayed home were eager to share what was happening.

    In my opinion, the biggest accomplishment of the protests was to prove that the government will be held more accountable from now on. Citizens flexed their muscles, and must have certainly gotten the attention of politicians ahead of next year's elections.

    That was especially true in Brasília, Rio, and São Paulo. Protesters tried to invade state government buildings in Rio and São Paulo, and climbed up onto the roof of Congress in Brasília. The scene of some of the protesters peacefully walking down the ramp from Congress was a sight to see.

    Brasilia3
    Brasília

    Now, it's President Dilma Rousseff's move: through a spokesperson, she said she was following the protests, noting that peaceful manifestations are "legitimate" and part of democracy. But it remains to be seen what else the government will do now, and how much will be done behind the scenes.

     

    Brasilia
    Brasília

    Though the breadth and size of the protests were large by Brazilian standards, they're still smaller by comparison to other countries with more frequent public demonstrations. It's unclear if more of this size will continue. (Another protest is planned in São Paulo on June 18, and another in Rio on June 20.)

    And now, it also remains to be seen what comes next. In a way, today was the easier part. The harder part--maintaining momentum and sustaining action--starts tomorrow.
    Whether this will be a blip or a movement is still unclear. But it's now obvious that many Brazilians favor change, and are willing to physically stand up for it. Could this emblematic commercial be prophetic? Or not?

    Images: via Voz da Comunidade, social media, Movimento Sem Corrupção.

    June 18, 2013 in Brazil Challenges, Current Affairs | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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    June 16, 2013

    Brazil's Protests: A Resource Guide

    20centavosIn an effort to bring together useful information about Brazil's protests, I've put together a resource guide which I will continually update as long as the protests take place. Suggestions and input for new items welcome at rachel at riogringa dot com or via Twitter at @riogringa.

    Schedules

    • List of protests in over 100 cities in Brazil and worldwide (published June 16)

    Live Coverage

    Crowdsourcing

    Videos

    Who to Follow on Twitter

    Hashtags

    Tumblrs

    Image Galleries

    English-Language Blogs Covering the Protests

    June 16, 2013 in Current Affairs, The Brazilians | | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

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    May 22, 2013

    May Reading Recommendations

    JamateiMy March reading list is coming along a bit slowly, but while I'm working on longer blog posts I've put together some of the things I've read recently that I recommend.

    • Já Matei por Menos: Here's an explanation of how I came to follow Juliana Cunha's work. Her book was a quick and delightful read, a compilation of some of her blog posts dating back to 2008. One of the reasons I like Juliana's work is because she's a brutally honest, a no-BS kind of writer. No "homem cordial" (or rather, mulher cordial) here. Some of my favorite stories are about how she managed to get a steady stream of newly released books when she was young; the stereotypes of Bahians she's encountered in São Paulo; her favorite things about Salvador; her observations about her neighborhood; and her idea for a personal trainer for freelancers.
    • 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus: Without a doubt, this is one of the most fascinating books I've read in a long time. It presents theories about the indigenous population in the Americas before European colonization, claiming that these civilizations were much bigger than previously estimated, with even more sophisticated societies than thought. It covers a large portion of the Americas, but the parts about Brazil and the Amazon are really interesting. It discusses the formations found in parts of the Amazon, and introduces a theory that parts of the rainforest were actually planted by humans.
    • 1565: Enquanto o Brasil nascia: As expected, this book provides an intriguing look at Rio de Janeiro's early history. It really gives you a better sense of the importance of indigenous tribes in the city's founding and development. There's a lot more about the city's original inhabitants and their lasting impact on the city than in other books I've read about the city. It also provides interesting insight into the attempted French conquest of Rio. Other cool facts: where the word Copacabana comes from, how Botafogo got its name, and how the Angolan queen N'Zinga impacted Brazilian history.
    • Why Everything Costs So Much in Brazil: This Superinteressante article brings together a lot of the numbers and facts you've probably heard before about why things are expensive in Brazil. But it does so in an engaging and coherent way, and gives a good, simple overview. It's available in Portuguese and English.
    • Cars Made in Brazil Are Deadly: An excellent piece of investigative work on Brazil's car industry by the Associated Press. That cars made and sold in Brazil are less safe than in other countries is not exactly a revelation, but this is the kind of piece that has the potential to have an impact and inspire a movement for higher safety standards.

    May 22, 2013 in Books, Current Affairs, History | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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    March 07, 2013

    March Reading List

    1565As I'm preparing for some longer posts and interviews, I thought I'd share some books I'm reading or that are on my to-read list.

    • 1565: Enquanto o Brasil nascia. Written by tech journalist Pedro Doria, this book looks at the early history of Rio de Janeiro and to a lesser extent, São Paulo. Since it's written by a journalist rather than a historian, it's a much more fun read, giving you some amazing descriptions of what Rio looked like during the colonial period. It's a fascinating read for history buffs, though it's only available in Portuguese at the moment. I'm a huge history nerd, so I ordered this for a sort of absurd price and waited a month for it to arrive in New York.
    • Brasil, País do Presente. Also written by a journalist, I'm eager to get my hands on this book. It's by Daniel Buarque, editor-in-chief of content at Terra and a blogger who writes about Brazil coverage in the international media. The book examines Brazil in the eyes of the United States, looking at the continued clichés Americans tend to reference when it comes to Brazil, as well as Brazil's changing image as an economic giant.
    • O Jeitinho Americano. Written by American Brazilianist Matthew Shirts, who is editor-in-chief of National Geographic Brasil and a columnist for VEJA SP, this book is a collection of stories about life in Brazil, where he has lived for over 25 years. It also as looks at Brazilian and American cultures and the differences between the two. It's also available in e-book format which should make buying it from abroad a bit easier.
    • Brazil Is the New America: How Brazil Offers Upward Mobility in a Collapsing World. "As the future of the American economy seems to get bleaker by the day, it is tempting to look abroad for business opportunities. Europe and Asia don't provide much hope, but what about somewhere that's both closer to home and sunny year-round? In "Brazil is the New America: How Brazil Offers Upward Mobility in a Collapsing World," James D. Davidson shows that the current financial situation in Brazil is a haven for those looking to make money in a world in turmoil." In other words, could be interesting, or could be kind of bad. But I'm curious.
    • A alma encantadora das ruas. Paulo Barreto, also known as João do Rio, was a writer and journalist living in Rio at the turn of the 20th century. He was quite the colorful character, and this book is a collection of his newspaper articles published between 1904 and 1907 describing a changing city. I've had this one on my list for a while, and luckily it's considered public domain and can be downloaded from the web.
    • Já Matei por Menos. I first learned about Juliana Cunha's blog, Já Matei por Menos, through Alex Castro a couple of years ago. I started following her blog and later befriended her when she was in New York last year. Juliana is a journalist and student by day, and a blogger by night. (She's currently on an amazing adventure in Asia, which she's chronicling on her blog). Her first book is coming out soon, featuring some of the best posts from her blog about her life in São Paulo and her travels. It's available for pre-sale in Brazil, and although the site doesn't accept foreign addresses, you can also order directly from the publisher.

    March 07, 2013 in Books, Current Affairs, History | | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

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    December 28, 2012

    Brazil In The Year Ahead

    ArpoadorThe big story making headlines as we get closer to 2013 is that of Brazil's slowing economy. While that will continue to be an ongoing issue to watch, here are a number of other things to keep your eye on in the year ahead.

    Issues to Watch: Brazil

    • Oil and gas. With the first oil concessions in five years due to take place in 2013, this is the industry to watch next year. But the ongoing royalties fight in Brasilia isn't over yet, and the royalties law could end up in the Supreme Court again if Congress overturns Dilma's partial veto.
    • Brazil's new middle class. As one of the most compelling tales of Brazil's growth, this group is the one to watch--especially to see if it can be sustained or grow amid sluggish GDP growth and rising consumer debt.
    • Airport and port privatizations. Travelers eagerly await airport upgrades; businesses hope for more efficient ports. The process could be long, but there should be movement in this area next year, especially after the recent announcement that Rio and Belo Horizonte's international airports will also be privatized.
    • Construction and housing. In spite of slower growth, this is an area that continues to chug along. FipeZap estimated that real estate prices rose by nearly 14 percent this year and doubled within the last 3 years. The government also hopes to use this sector to boost growth, and the subsidized housing program Minha Casa, Minha Vida is full speed ahead.
    • BNDES. Brazil's development bank lent nearly $60 billion through November of this year and could lend up to $73 billion by the end of 2012. Keep an eye on where BNDES is spending, particularly the Brazilian multinationals and major domestic projects, like the controversial Belo Monte hydroelectric plant.
    • Government corruption. Will the mensalão defendants actually go to jail? Will Dilma continue to show no mercy for those accused of wrongdoing? Will new transparency laws help uncover new scandals?

    Issues to Watch: Rio

    • UPPs. Violence has flared up in several of the city's "pacified" favelas, and most of the on-duty military police that died this year died in UPP favelas. Keep an eye on how current UPP favelas are faring in terms of security, as well as plans for new UPPs in other favelas.
    • Transportation construction. The bus rapid transit system is underway and operating in a section of the city, with four new stations inaugurated last week. Four more stations are due to open in January with ongoing construction throughout the city. But getting the system online isn't the only challenge; people keep getting hit and killed by the BRT and many have complained about overcrowding. Expanding Rio's metro system is also underway with a price tag of $3.6 billion.
    • Militias. The government has focused much of its security strategy on combatting drug traffickers and bringing a permanent police presence to favelas. Will it finally turn the heat up on the city's paramilitary groups?
    • Favela removals. Forced evictions from favelas to make way for mega-event construction and urban renewal have stirred controversy on an international scale. Keep an eye out for how these removals play out.
    • Mega-event preparations. From stadium construction to training programs, this is an ongoing area to watch. Maracanã Stadium renovations are due to conclude by the end of February, likely over budget. Maracanã is also due to be privatized next year, so keep an eye out for who wins the prize.

    People to Watch

    • Guido Mantega: Will he hang on as finance minister? If an Economist article won't be his downfall, could more disappointing growth numbers be the final straw? Or will he stay on until the bitter end?
    • Joaquim Barbosa: The new president of the Supreme Court became something of a national hero for his hard-line approach during the mensalão trial. But he also decided against immediate imprisonment for those convicted in the trial. Beyond the mensalão, keep an eye on Barbosa and major STF trials next year.
    • Lula: The heat recently turned up again from mensalão accusations, though it seems likely he'll remain unscathed for now. But with presidential elections in 2014, will he decide to become a candidate or let Dilma run for reelection?
    • Eduardo Campos: The governor of Pernambuco looks like a likely presidential candidate in 2014. Watch for campaign announcements next year.
    • Marco Antonio Raupp: Brazil's minister of science, technology, and innovation could be the spokesperson for some of the government's most interesting new initiatives. In November, he announced the launch of Start-Up Brasil, a $40 million project aimed at Brazilian startup companies.

    People to Follow

    Photo: Charlie Phillips

    December 28, 2012 in Brazil Challenges, Current Affairs, Economy | | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

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    November 15, 2012

    Brazil Under Construction

    Alphaville Juiz de Fora
    Alphaville construction site, Juiz de Fora
    Driving through the dusty rolling hills on the western edge of Juiz de Fora, a mid-sized city in Minas Gerais about two hours from Rio, you'll notice bulldozers cutting away swathes of grass and the first signs of concrete. Soon, the scenic countryside will give way to a massive residential and business complex. Here is the site of Alphaville, the latest self-contained mini-city under construction in Brazil's urban areas. The complex will stretch nearly 2.1 million square meters, and is advertised as a "true planned neighborhood," perhaps a reference to favelas, which for a long time were not considered real neighborhoods. It won't just have homes. It promises a commercial center, services, leisure activities, and even a government building: a city within a city.

    Originally built in Barueri outside of São Paulo city in the 1970s, the first Alphaville encompasses 3 million square meters and along with residential housing has its own schools, shopping centers, banks, hotels, supermarkets, a movie theater, and other services. Security is run by the complex and is tight. Now, there are nearly 45 Alphavilles established or under construction throughout Brazil--all the way from Manaus in the Amazon to Foz de Iguaçu on the border of Argentina.

    Targeted at the upper-middle class as an escape from the dangers of urban life, these walled communities are the antithesis of favelas, with luxury homes secluded from the rest of the city and providing enough services that means you may not even have to leave. Alphavilles are "planned, self-sufficient, and sustainable centers with complete and planned infrastructure for a rational level of occupancy that guarantees harmony between urbanized space and the environment," the website reads.

    And it's not just Alphaville. Eike Batista, one of Brazil's wealthiest men, recently purchased former amusement park Terra Encantada in Rio's Barra de Tijuca to turn into a self-contained neighborhood. The 700,000 square meter space will be converted into residential and commercial buildings in an area of the city that requires a car to get from place to place. "Cariocas like to do everything on foot," he said last month. "In my neighborhood, people will feel like they're in Zona Sul." He said he would live in the neigborhood, too. "It will be a development with all of the infrastructure of a planned neighborhood, but like Ipanema."

    It's not just these walled mini-cities springing up in Brazil. Cranes pepper the skyline in São Paulo and Rio as new apartments are under construction, given a growing middle class and a booming real estate market. Open any newspaper and you're likely to see a dozen ads for apartments. Meanwhile, the government's Minha Casa, Minha Vida program for subsidized housing and loans for low-income and middle class buyers is in its second phase. Beginning in October, the government lowered interest rates while raising the maximum value of homes in the program. Since the program began, one million homes have been constructed.

    And with the busy bees of construction at work and the sense of confidence in the country's growth, there's little evidence that people are worried about Brazil's economic slowdown, industrial stagnation, or the potential for rising inflation. With record unemployment and continued consumption, Brazilians don't seem too concerned about the economy. On the contrary: the buzz of construction sounds belies any slowdown.

    Photo: Alphaville

    November 15, 2012 in Brazil's New Middle Class, Current Affairs, Economy | | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

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    November 08, 2012

    November 8 Brazil News Briefs

    Rio de Janeiro

    • Rio de Janeiro PortMicrosoft announced that it will open its first advanced technology center in Brazil, setting up the center at a historic building in Rio's port area. The company will invest $100 million in the center over the four years.
    • Brazil's House of Representatives voted in favor of the Senate's oil royalties reform bill, which would shift royalties away from producing states and distribute more to non-producing states. Rio officials say the state will lose 6 percent of its annual budget and around $2 billion next year alone. Rio Governor Sergio Cabral warned that if President Dilma Rousseff signs the bill into law, it would threaten Rio's mega-events. “It’s absolutely not viable. We are going to close our doors. We won’t do the Olympics, we won’t do the Cup,” he said.
    • Prior to the World Cup and Olympics, Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes hopes to pass tax reform that would increase property taxes by 30 percent and widen the property tax base by 57 percent. Paes, who was reelected in October, had promised not to raise the tax while on the campaign trail. So given the backlash, he decided to wait until next year to introduce the reform in the state legislature.
    • Rio's new secretary of transportation said over the next 4 years, the city would reduce its bus fleet by one-third--around 2,900 buses--in part to reduce Rio's growing traffic problem. Meanwhile, he said he would increase the number of rapid transit buses as commuters face long lines and overcrowding on the BRT.
    • The Financial Times featured a long piece on Rio's police pacification units, exploring some of the strategy's accomplishments as well as ongoing challenges.

    São Paulo

    • São Paulo judges are now legally allowed to offer petty criminals the option of donating blood in lieu of jail time.
    • A Datafolha survey of São Paulo voters found that 44 percent would not have voted in the mayoral election if voting wasn't mandatory.

    Brazil

    • A very entertaining "guide" from Granta offers advice for foreigners in Brazil, including quirky literal translations of Brazilian slang and how to maneuver Brazilian society.

    For daily news briefs, be sure to follow me on Twitter.

    Photo: Eliseu Cavalcante. Rio de Janeiro's port area.

    November 08, 2012 in Current Affairs | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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