Latest posts by Raphael Tsavkko Garcia from March, 2011
Brazil: On Opening the Archives of the Dictatorship
A collective blogging was called to demand the opening of the archives of the Brazilian military dictatorship (1964-1985), responsible for torturing of thousands and for killing 380 Brazilians. Of these, 147 remain missing and nothing is known about the fate of their bodies. Until now their families are suffering without knowing their stories.
Brazil: More Poetry, Less Money
Following the discussion on The Cost of Financing Culture in Brazil, blogger Paulo Rená introduces [pt] a new project – “More Poetry, Less Money” (@maispoesia) – where “any person can pick up a poem, record it for a video platform” and post it using the hashtag #MaisPoesiaMenosDinheiro.
Brazil: The Cost of Financing Culture
Recent news that the Brazilian Ministry of Culture has authorized famous singer Maria Bethânia to raise R$ 1.3 million tax free (Brazilian reais - approximately US$ 777,000) to create a poetry blog, has aroused the anger of bloggers, Twitter users and other cultural activists.
Brazil: Critical Mass, a month later
One month after “a reckless madman ran over a group of cyclists in Porto Alegre”, during the Critical Mass event, Brazilian blogger and journalist Cristina Rodrigues writes [pt] about some concrete developments in the city, as a result of the social movement that has been created.
Brazil/Argentina: LGBT advocates repudiate death threats
The Federación Argentina LGBT (Lesbian Gay Transexual and Transgender Federation of Argentina) repudiates [es] the death threats addressed to the federal deputy Jean Wyllys – the first assumed homossexual to enter the Brazilian Parliament.
Brazil: Racism against Federal Judge
Blogger Renato Rovai regrets [pt] that Júlio Campos [pt] – a Federal Deputy from the Brazilian Democratas right wing party- has referred to the Minister of the Supreme Federal Court, Joaquim Barbosa, as the “dark brown of the Supreme”. Campos later apologized [pt] for what were considered racist words.
Brazil: Cartoons of Obama in Brazil
Altamiro Borges posts a series of cartoons made by the Brazilian cartoonist Carlos Latuff on Obama's visit to Brazil.
Brazil: Criminalization of Guarani-Kaiowá Leaders
Israel Sassá comments [pt] on the criminalization process that is taking place against the leaders of the indigenous Guarani Kaiowa community in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. According to him, members of the community are accused because they have been camping along federal roads after illegal farmers have stolen their...
Brazil: Gay federal deputy threatened
Blogger Paulo Lopes denounces [pt] life threats on Twitter directed to the federal deputy Jean Wyllys – the first assumed homossexual to enter the Brazilian Parliament. Rudá Ricci, on the blog De Esquerda em Esquerda (From Left to Left) compares [pt] Wyllys with the US activist Harvey Milk.
Brazil: Two more cyclists get hit in Porto Alegre
Two cyclists were run over on March 13 in Porto Alegre, informs the blog Massa Crítica (Critical Mass) [pt]. Just a few days before, Global Voices had reported on a controversial “accident or attempted murder” of 12 to 20 cyclists in a bicycle event in the same city.
Brazil: International Women's Day and Amnesty
As part of the celebrations of the International Women's Day, on March 8, six former political prisioners received the offical amnesty by the Brazilian Government, says [pt] Rogério Tomaz Jr, from the blog Conexão Brasília-Maranhão. These six women were honoured for the persecution they suffered during the Military Dictatorship (1964-1985)
Brazil: Reactions to Egyptian and Middle Eastern Crises
From January 25, 2011, the world followed the course of the Egyptian revolutionary conflict, awaiting the fall of Hosni Mubarak, which finally arrived on 11 February after weeks of protest. In the wake of Egypt's crisis, the Brazilian blogosphere was filled with analysis, celebrations and prognoses for the future.
Brazil: Critical Mass Bicycle Event – Accident or Homicide?
In late February, the monthly event that brings together dozens of cyclists to ride through the streets of Porto Alegre, Brazil, aiming to encourage bicycle use - Critical Mass - ended in tragedy when a car driver hit 12 cyclists and left many injured. Bloggers ask: was it an accident or murder?
Brazil: Outrage of Brazilian Woman Deported from Spain
The deportation from Spain of Brazilian holidaymaker Denise Severo, a 34-year-old university researcher, has once again raised the issue of immigration between the two countries. Severo has written an open letter about her experience which has been widely disseminated by various bloggers, and prompted many reactions to her treatment by Spanish immigration authorities.
