A favela, nunca foi reduto de marginal
A favela, nunca foi reduto de marginal
Ela só tem gente humilde Marginalizada e essa verdade não sai no jornal
A favela é, um problema social
A favela é, um problema social
Sim mas eu sou favela
Posso falar de cadeira
Minha gente é trabalhadeira
Nunca teve assistência social
Ela só vive lá
Porque para o pobre, não tem outro jeito
Apenas só tem o direito
A salário de fome e uma vida normal.
A favela é, um problema social
A favela é, um problema social
–Eu Sou Favela, Seu Jorge from the album Cru
On this, Day 20 of Kendi’s 30*30 Remix Challenge, I am stuck on thinking about the home of my heart.
Rio is underwent a bit of a shit storm last week. In anticipation of the World Cup 2014 and the Summer Olympics 2016, police and armed forced entered a drug-trafficker controlled favela, the Complexo do Alemã. Rio’s favelas are… well, they’re shit holes, basically. Slums, shanty towns, all the names fit, and as often as there are poor Brazilians who live within a favela, trying to survive, there are criminals holed up within. I remember a few years ago there was an American company that would take tourists through a favela in a reinforced armored car, so that rich tourists could see what a favela was like. I’m still sickened by this.
The Big Picture, one of my favorite blogs, has a photo essay of the war fought between Brazilian forces and the drug-traffickers. It is messing with my head, and I can’t think about anything else today.
The 8th picture of the photos, the one with journalists huddled behind police and soldiers with enormous guns, it such a perfectly captured, and poignant view of what modern warfare has become. As much a battle as a media circus.
My friend A. pointed me to an article about a drug lord’s mansion hidden within the favela. How messed up is that? Especially because the drug lord is apparently a huge Justin Beiber fan. Weird.
Brain. Messed with.
My earrings are from Renner in Brasília, the ring is from Out of the Blue in Winnipeg, the socks are from lululemon athletic (no longer available, similar). My outfit inspiration comes from at least two other bloggers – one I remember, the lovely Style Underdog; the other I CANNOT REMEMBER for the LIFE of me. I’m sorry, and do credit this to you, mystery blogger.
Rebecca Foat 
it was rough. my friends from Rio were all very scared last week. one of them lives in Madureira, near Alemão, and she saw buses on fire almost every day going to work. another one lives in Del Castilho, also on the northern area: a bus was on fire next to his family’s store, and he was on a van attacked by criminals on Friday (fortunatelly, he wasn’t attacked phisically). other friends didn’t suffer as much, but they were in constant state of panic. yesterday, the police’s takeover Alemão was broadcast live by Globonews, nonstop. I’ve never seen anything like that in my life.
BUT… let me tell you that I loved your cardigan worn backwards! you look more and more beautiful as the days go by 🙂
um beijo!
I can’t believe it, really. It looks so scary. I’m glad your friends are OK. The thing I worry about the most is that there are so many people who live in Alemão who are just regular, albeit poor, Brazilians.
And thank you! I’m enjoying wearing it backwards. BEIJO!
I just started learning Portuguese (I’m a Spanish studies minor, but decided it’s time for me to start learning a new language :)) and I loved recognizing some of the verses above. It’s such a terrifying circumstance in Brazil (and all of Latin America, frankly), but unfortunately one that is sorely underreported stateside.
On a more pleasant note, you look FABULOUS in that backwards sweater– I just love, love, love how it looks!
I totally agree. There hasn’t been much reporting on it at all. My mom told me that she will send me links. I think it is awesome you’re learning Portuguese. I’m fluent, and it is my favorite language.
There have been quite a few bloggers who have been wearing their cardigans backwards lately, so I took inspiration from them… I really love backless clothes, so it works out perfectly for me! Thanks, doll!