I had the pleasure of traveling to the stature of Christ looking over the city Rio de Janeiro. It is a beautiful view from where the stature is located... it is a 20 min train ride up a mountain... the mountain gives you access to see something which is simply breath taking.. your ears pop as you go up the mountain... they call Rio de Janiero the city of God because the beautiful views, the massive statue of Christ looking over the city, but also the surreal landscape... of mountains out of the ocean, beautiful white sand beaches, sky scrapers to the clouds, highways over the ocean and mind blowing views...
The city was built and given as a gift from God... but only for some to see. millions of |poor Brazilians do not get to see this beauty, just the allies and streets of their favela... like many places in the world tourist can see of the countries most beautiful landscapes in a week while some citizens, will live their whole life and never experience the site seeing of their homeland...
last night I took it easy and chilled in the favela and as the sun creeped behind the mountains and painted the favela dark the gunshots started to spray and the day just started for the warriors of the night... the hustle of the people, the drugs, the gangs and the violence of the night... The reality that Rio and many parts of Brazil is in a civil war... a war that stems from the poverty, but also the violence of the countries history, which connects to slavery... the treatment of the people... oppressed beyond measure a similar story in many places around the world... where gunshots and death go hand in hand. life is taken just as easily as life is given... they say 20 black Brazilians boys are killed everyday in Brazil...
Rio de Janeiro: Why do they call it the City of God... you decide...
Thursday, June 18, 2009
because it was only right...
It has been a week and a day since my last blog.. I apologize to those that are fallowing every couple days.. I have been reflecting on the trip thus far... really taking my time on being critical of how I live my life, the society I live in, in Canada and the society here in Brazil for poor people.
I have had the pleasure of learning about being poor from the people living it in the favelas of Brazil, I have been listening to the real struggles and challenges of getting through the day... As I entered the home of a friend, her mother welcomed me in with a smile and after she asked me to sit down and that she will warm me up something to eat... I ate and thanked her for the delicious meal.. she then told me as I walked to wash my hands to the bathroom to wash my hands, we maybe poor, but we are rich in love...
that was powerful.. it made me think for a second, was dis a statement of not to judge her based on the size, or look of her home because she knew I was Canadian and thought I was probably well off where ever I came from... but then i thought of how many times I visited homes and met families and all the love I received and all the meals I ate... even though they may not have a lot they always offer me a plate and me a place to sit and rest... its real.. is it just part of the culture of being Brazilian or is it just the people the families... when I think I have come to the conclusion the people are real, they know what its like to not eat some days... they know struggle any day can be a empty stomach... you just gotta live and have hope for tomorrow. I thought about toronto and I know most people who may have only one meal of food for themselves, they probably would not share it with their neighbor... is it a cultural thing, or a capitalist mentality of it being a dog eat dog world... and you gotta fend for just yourself... I leave it for you to decide..
I visited a friend of my Brazilian mom and she had 6 kids 2 bed rooms, no beds 1 couch and 2 wood living room chairs... 5 children live at home, the one whom didnt live at home was married and had his own place... everyone in the household had one job, or 2, and even a third My Brazilian mom and I was sleeping over... and as I laid on 2 blankets on the floor, right beside the oldest son in one room I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep... the daughters slept on 2 blankets in another room and my Brazilian mom and friend slept in a next room on 2 sheets...
and I bet some people may even ask why didnt any of us sleep on the couch or chairs.. the family of 7 couldnt all sleep on the 1 couch and 2 chairs every night so, everyone slept together on the floor because it was only right...
It wasnt my first time sleeping on the floor.. but it really brought the poverty to a greater impact. Many of those if not all will, that are reading this will lay down to a warm bed to night, i beg to ask the question how often do you take things for granted and forget their are millions of people sleeping on the floor tonight...
just trying to take your mind to place it may not of walked before....
I have had the pleasure of learning about being poor from the people living it in the favelas of Brazil, I have been listening to the real struggles and challenges of getting through the day... As I entered the home of a friend, her mother welcomed me in with a smile and after she asked me to sit down and that she will warm me up something to eat... I ate and thanked her for the delicious meal.. she then told me as I walked to wash my hands to the bathroom to wash my hands, we maybe poor, but we are rich in love...
that was powerful.. it made me think for a second, was dis a statement of not to judge her based on the size, or look of her home because she knew I was Canadian and thought I was probably well off where ever I came from... but then i thought of how many times I visited homes and met families and all the love I received and all the meals I ate... even though they may not have a lot they always offer me a plate and me a place to sit and rest... its real.. is it just part of the culture of being Brazilian or is it just the people the families... when I think I have come to the conclusion the people are real, they know what its like to not eat some days... they know struggle any day can be a empty stomach... you just gotta live and have hope for tomorrow. I thought about toronto and I know most people who may have only one meal of food for themselves, they probably would not share it with their neighbor... is it a cultural thing, or a capitalist mentality of it being a dog eat dog world... and you gotta fend for just yourself... I leave it for you to decide..
I visited a friend of my Brazilian mom and she had 6 kids 2 bed rooms, no beds 1 couch and 2 wood living room chairs... 5 children live at home, the one whom didnt live at home was married and had his own place... everyone in the household had one job, or 2, and even a third My Brazilian mom and I was sleeping over... and as I laid on 2 blankets on the floor, right beside the oldest son in one room I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep... the daughters slept on 2 blankets in another room and my Brazilian mom and friend slept in a next room on 2 sheets...
and I bet some people may even ask why didnt any of us sleep on the couch or chairs.. the family of 7 couldnt all sleep on the 1 couch and 2 chairs every night so, everyone slept together on the floor because it was only right...
It wasnt my first time sleeping on the floor.. but it really brought the poverty to a greater impact. Many of those if not all will, that are reading this will lay down to a warm bed to night, i beg to ask the question how often do you take things for granted and forget their are millions of people sleeping on the floor tonight...
just trying to take your mind to place it may not of walked before....
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
just a taste...
I have been traveling to different parts of Rio de Janeiro, where many things change not just the landscape. I also have been building a stronger bond and relationship with my Brazilian mom. I have spent most of last week with her shes a special women and an amazing caregiver... I have met members of her family and also some of her closest friends. It has been truly special growing and learning from her. The only problem is I eat like crazy when I am with her because she cooks so much amazing food... I am joking the food and freshly squeezed orange juice each morning is a beautiful thing.
I had the pleasure of visiting a public university yesterday. Its a institution which was built in 1930s and its focus is on agriculture and its located 2 hours out of the mega city of Rio de janeiro (pop. 8 million, over 50 fevelas). The population of the university is just over 10 thousand, I learned that most people who attend are usually students from wealthier families (similiar to most post secondary institutions across Brazil). The classes are full day and most poor people need to work and also the entrance exams are incredibly difficult to pass if you dont have an adequate education, connections or money. The poorer you are the worst the education you will receive a similar story all across the globe.
The vibe of Rio is something to experience... its a mix of old and new... you can feel the European impact as you travel from Downtown to the out skirts from the inspired architecture and food. when you are in Lapa a community downtown with many shops, cafes, restaurants and tourists. You can forget that you are in Brazil because its easy to feel you are in a place in Europe. There are open markets with things from across the globe.... I quickly realized the tourist areas and the rich areas are despised by the poor and you can easily see the suffering and imbalance between the haves and have nots. From the fine-dining restaurants to the poor salesman, women and child selling candy, makeshift watches, clothes or cds to on going passers to earn enough to eat and provide for their family. The hustle in the city is on a grand scale but the poverty is ridiculous and the wealth and poverty is often right next to one another... from half a million dollar homes and condos to make shift homes with low to no sanitation.
Rio is a special place...its everything your mind cannot imagine... leaving footprints as I dare to take those whom trust... to places there hearts desire, but mind maybe fearful... as I look through the lens of a journeymen...
I had the pleasure of visiting a public university yesterday. Its a institution which was built in 1930s and its focus is on agriculture and its located 2 hours out of the mega city of Rio de janeiro (pop. 8 million, over 50 fevelas). The population of the university is just over 10 thousand, I learned that most people who attend are usually students from wealthier families (similiar to most post secondary institutions across Brazil). The classes are full day and most poor people need to work and also the entrance exams are incredibly difficult to pass if you dont have an adequate education, connections or money. The poorer you are the worst the education you will receive a similar story all across the globe.
The vibe of Rio is something to experience... its a mix of old and new... you can feel the European impact as you travel from Downtown to the out skirts from the inspired architecture and food. when you are in Lapa a community downtown with many shops, cafes, restaurants and tourists. You can forget that you are in Brazil because its easy to feel you are in a place in Europe. There are open markets with things from across the globe.... I quickly realized the tourist areas and the rich areas are despised by the poor and you can easily see the suffering and imbalance between the haves and have nots. From the fine-dining restaurants to the poor salesman, women and child selling candy, makeshift watches, clothes or cds to on going passers to earn enough to eat and provide for their family. The hustle in the city is on a grand scale but the poverty is ridiculous and the wealth and poverty is often right next to one another... from half a million dollar homes and condos to make shift homes with low to no sanitation.
Rio is a special place...its everything your mind cannot imagine... leaving footprints as I dare to take those whom trust... to places there hearts desire, but mind maybe fearful... as I look through the lens of a journeymen...
Monday, June 8, 2009
We have today because of yesterday....
The trip started off with a bang from when I touched down in South America... and after the first 24 hours things havent led up either...
I have been meeting people inside the fevelas to the heart of downtown Rio to even a small town, in the out skirts of the 8 million people city of Rio de Janeiro. The city is also nicknamed A Cidade Maravilhosa, or "The Marvelous City". It is exactly that... the vast differences in architecture, to culture, to music, to the faces of the people that make up the society. It is very marvelous... the food is amazing and it changes as you change location. Lunch is the most important meal of the day and beans, rice and meat is at the core of it. Lunch also comes with many side dishes... such as fritas (fries), salad, flour with meat ( a grainy dish which comes in many forms, and has different types of meat and vegetables), bread, macaroni, fresh fruit etc. . I have gained 5 pounds since I been here... and its only been 7 days, I am here for 3 more weeks... lol ... but I am prepared.. I got a gym membership for the month at the local gym in the fevela I am living in. of course I got a Canadian discount... lol... I am 100% serious.. the gym is fully equipped.., the machines are older but does the job equally as well... for the first 2 days I noticed a good # of the people were in great shape... the gym explained it... I know hard labour and day to day activities of getting by... but that doesnt give you a six pack and super cut arms... I also noticed a large # of females attend the gym, for weight training and dance classes similar to Canada... they also know their way around the gym... like North American society pressure from men is put on women to always look good, more than encouragement to live just a healthy lifestyle... Beauty is something in Brazil that is marketed and sold.... its a business.. like many wealthy nations, but different than other nations Brazil is recognized internationally for having beautiful people... especially the women... from the lips, to the hips, the skin tone and the Motorola cellular phone it all adds to the look of Brazilian women... the hair texture, and style, when you think of a Brazilian women a certain image comes to mind..... this is part of the marketing of this persona or image, that is now a Brazilian female identity... As you may not know Brazil is incredibly diverse... from having the second largest population of Japanese people outside of Japan, to having 51% (Black) of the Brazilian population being mixed with or is African. Brazil has the second largest population of Black people outside of Nigeria, yes second largest more than the US of A. It also important to note Black identity is not the same as we see it in North America, the African experience maybe similar, but the context and history is different... just like the South African Black Identity is different etc.
It is said that 80 million slaves were taken from the west coast of Africa (Atlantic Slave trade), 20 million went to United States, 40 million went to Brazil, 10 million went to different parts of Caribbean and central America and another 10 million to other parts of South America. The largest # of slaves was colonized in Brazil... the soul of Brazil whispers if you listen carefully.... through your eyes, hands and ears... Out of all places colonized Brazil had one of the longest and darkest histories, in raping the oppressed and enslaved....The mixing of cultures in Brazil started over 500 years ago from the first Aboriginal and African women raped by its colonizer. It is important to have this knowledge to get a better understanding of the state of Brazil today and its people... We have today because of yesterday, the social realities of people was not just given over night, it is something that was made before and has been accepted and glanced over... the politics of today and yesterday...
I have been meeting people inside the fevelas to the heart of downtown Rio to even a small town, in the out skirts of the 8 million people city of Rio de Janeiro. The city is also nicknamed A Cidade Maravilhosa, or "The Marvelous City". It is exactly that... the vast differences in architecture, to culture, to music, to the faces of the people that make up the society. It is very marvelous... the food is amazing and it changes as you change location. Lunch is the most important meal of the day and beans, rice and meat is at the core of it. Lunch also comes with many side dishes... such as fritas (fries), salad, flour with meat ( a grainy dish which comes in many forms, and has different types of meat and vegetables), bread, macaroni, fresh fruit etc. . I have gained 5 pounds since I been here... and its only been 7 days, I am here for 3 more weeks... lol ... but I am prepared.. I got a gym membership for the month at the local gym in the fevela I am living in. of course I got a Canadian discount... lol... I am 100% serious.. the gym is fully equipped.., the machines are older but does the job equally as well... for the first 2 days I noticed a good # of the people were in great shape... the gym explained it... I know hard labour and day to day activities of getting by... but that doesnt give you a six pack and super cut arms... I also noticed a large # of females attend the gym, for weight training and dance classes similar to Canada... they also know their way around the gym... like North American society pressure from men is put on women to always look good, more than encouragement to live just a healthy lifestyle... Beauty is something in Brazil that is marketed and sold.... its a business.. like many wealthy nations, but different than other nations Brazil is recognized internationally for having beautiful people... especially the women... from the lips, to the hips, the skin tone and the Motorola cellular phone it all adds to the look of Brazilian women... the hair texture, and style, when you think of a Brazilian women a certain image comes to mind..... this is part of the marketing of this persona or image, that is now a Brazilian female identity... As you may not know Brazil is incredibly diverse... from having the second largest population of Japanese people outside of Japan, to having 51% (Black) of the Brazilian population being mixed with or is African. Brazil has the second largest population of Black people outside of Nigeria, yes second largest more than the US of A. It also important to note Black identity is not the same as we see it in North America, the African experience maybe similar, but the context and history is different... just like the South African Black Identity is different etc.
It is said that 80 million slaves were taken from the west coast of Africa (Atlantic Slave trade), 20 million went to United States, 40 million went to Brazil, 10 million went to different parts of Caribbean and central America and another 10 million to other parts of South America. The largest # of slaves was colonized in Brazil... the soul of Brazil whispers if you listen carefully.... through your eyes, hands and ears... Out of all places colonized Brazil had one of the longest and darkest histories, in raping the oppressed and enslaved....The mixing of cultures in Brazil started over 500 years ago from the first Aboriginal and African women raped by its colonizer. It is important to have this knowledge to get a better understanding of the state of Brazil today and its people... We have today because of yesterday, the social realities of people was not just given over night, it is something that was made before and has been accepted and glanced over... the politics of today and yesterday...
Monday, June 1, 2009
The first 24 hours in Brazil...
The first 24 hours in Brazil has been awesome... I spent most of the day at Eudes (my Brazilian Brother) home. We got caught up with stories about our families and what we have been doing for the last year... he tells me he has been working at a company and hes trying to save up for university. It is a new chapter because he didnt want to go when I first met him in 2008, but things change, life changes. He then tells me about his rap performances, he shows me pictures and then he asks me about my mother. I tell him everyone is well, and my sister Senmone is going away to university and my sister Paulette is going to start college. I then tell him about my brothers Paul, Michael and Martin and how they asked about him when I told them that I was going back to Brazil. A smile hit his face and he called his mother... our mom came up the stairs and he told her the updates of my family in Portuguese... She smiled and it was a smile, where her heart warmed. She has seen many pictures of my family but she hasnt met any of them, but I could see because she loved me, she loved them too....
I then opened up my laptop and showed photos of my family, friends, colleagues and peers. She then asked to see photos of Jamaica. It was interesting because I forgot that my mother had sent gifts to her, that was from Jamaica, to show her more of our family history. It was powerful because now I was showing photos of me and my farther. grandfather, relatives and the Jamaican landscape. My Brazilian familia now wanted to come to Jamaica... a place they new of because of reggae music but now a place they felt connected to.
Eudes told me about his love of his life, where now I was invited to a wedding in Brazil in 2 years... lol I laughed... its been hours since I came off the plane, but things just seem to fall in place... he showed me pictures and she was gorgeous, but he told me she was very very humble, and he knows that she is special and hes in love... It was great to see him happy and it made me wonder just a little bit about when I find that special someone if I will show the same aura of love he has. He then tells me I will meet his aunt and his cousin Vivian... he also says I will meet his girlfriend tonight...
As time went on the sun started to set and the music in the fevela (slum) started to get louder...I handed out some gifts to everyone, including Tico the neighbourhood friend, whom loves hip hop so much that you would think he was from New York City... I looked out the window and children were still playing, and as the time got closer to Eudes girlfriends arrival... the music got louder and outfits changed... the phone rang and Eudes said get ready we are going to a Samba and Bali- funky fiesta...
The streets was packed with people, everybody and their cousin was dancing, sing, vibesing to the sounds coming from speakers in cars and in shops... it was party time...as we walked the more people gathered... we walked for 20 mins in the crowd of thousands of people... it was like the sight of people leaving the ACC after a maples or raptors game. It was great everyone in the fevela was enjoying themselves and enjoying the night... the culture of Brazil was in full affect, from the music, to the dress, to the people. It was a beautiful mix of wealth in culture, spirit and history. Huge Street parties were celebrations for the oppressed, the poor and slaves of emancipating themselves from the chains of the oppressor.... I later learned these parties happen every Sunday night... I then thought to have this in my community once a week wow...
I was in good company and the vibes were positive...
The next morning I rose to the news of Air France leaving Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and the plane crashed in the ocean on its way to Paris... everyone died... I said a little prayer and I wish strength upon the passengers families...
....life changes within seconds...
I then opened up my laptop and showed photos of my family, friends, colleagues and peers. She then asked to see photos of Jamaica. It was interesting because I forgot that my mother had sent gifts to her, that was from Jamaica, to show her more of our family history. It was powerful because now I was showing photos of me and my farther. grandfather, relatives and the Jamaican landscape. My Brazilian familia now wanted to come to Jamaica... a place they new of because of reggae music but now a place they felt connected to.
Eudes told me about his love of his life, where now I was invited to a wedding in Brazil in 2 years... lol I laughed... its been hours since I came off the plane, but things just seem to fall in place... he showed me pictures and she was gorgeous, but he told me she was very very humble, and he knows that she is special and hes in love... It was great to see him happy and it made me wonder just a little bit about when I find that special someone if I will show the same aura of love he has. He then tells me I will meet his aunt and his cousin Vivian... he also says I will meet his girlfriend tonight...
As time went on the sun started to set and the music in the fevela (slum) started to get louder...I handed out some gifts to everyone, including Tico the neighbourhood friend, whom loves hip hop so much that you would think he was from New York City... I looked out the window and children were still playing, and as the time got closer to Eudes girlfriends arrival... the music got louder and outfits changed... the phone rang and Eudes said get ready we are going to a Samba and Bali- funky fiesta...
The streets was packed with people, everybody and their cousin was dancing, sing, vibesing to the sounds coming from speakers in cars and in shops... it was party time...as we walked the more people gathered... we walked for 20 mins in the crowd of thousands of people... it was like the sight of people leaving the ACC after a maples or raptors game. It was great everyone in the fevela was enjoying themselves and enjoying the night... the culture of Brazil was in full affect, from the music, to the dress, to the people. It was a beautiful mix of wealth in culture, spirit and history. Huge Street parties were celebrations for the oppressed, the poor and slaves of emancipating themselves from the chains of the oppressor.... I later learned these parties happen every Sunday night... I then thought to have this in my community once a week wow...
I was in good company and the vibes were positive...
The next morning I rose to the news of Air France leaving Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and the plane crashed in the ocean on its way to Paris... everyone died... I said a little prayer and I wish strength upon the passengers families...
....life changes within seconds...
Sunday, May 31, 2009
just arrived in Rio...
The journey started months ago, but the trip started today, when I was able to see the mountains and the plains of Rio. It has been a long process to get to this point, but I am in Brazil and it was worth overcoming the challenges. My plane landed 8:35am, which I was delighted because I have been traveling for over 13 hours, but also because I knew I have arrived.... I left customs and knew that smiles, hugs and good greetings was behind the exit doors. As I looked at the faces to see if I recognized my amigos Andrew or Eudes, I felt a little more excited. As I walked by the taxi drivers yelling bom dia (good morning), taxi, taxi... I continued to walk and I saw the face of Andrew, a smile hit both of our faces at the same time. It was a great feeling.
We drove to Eudes home and as we got closer the suspense got bigger, it has been a year and it felt great to be back in this community. I remember making a pledge to myself that I will be back and here i was, but this time i traveled alone. The air was thick, the heat was dry, the palm trees leaves swayed in the breeze and a silent coolness touched my body. It felt right...
As I arrived in Eudes favela, things started to come back to me again, we arrived and Eudes and his mother greeted me it was great to see their faces and give them my blessings that i was happy to be back. Within minutes of arriving, i was being fed. My Brazilian mom was making the breakfast I couldnt get enough of in my last trip. Fresh orange juice, fresh bread, fruits, scrabbled eggs, cooked beef. It was delicious. it was great to start things off with a homemade meal and great people around the table... It was great to be back...
We drove to Eudes home and as we got closer the suspense got bigger, it has been a year and it felt great to be back in this community. I remember making a pledge to myself that I will be back and here i was, but this time i traveled alone. The air was thick, the heat was dry, the palm trees leaves swayed in the breeze and a silent coolness touched my body. It felt right...
As I arrived in Eudes favela, things started to come back to me again, we arrived and Eudes and his mother greeted me it was great to see their faces and give them my blessings that i was happy to be back. Within minutes of arriving, i was being fed. My Brazilian mom was making the breakfast I couldnt get enough of in my last trip. Fresh orange juice, fresh bread, fruits, scrabbled eggs, cooked beef. It was delicious. it was great to start things off with a homemade meal and great people around the table... It was great to be back...
Friday, May 15, 2009
welcome....
My name is Jai Morgan a writer, grassroots organizer and journeymen. I am a person who enjoys some of the simple things in life and tries to live to be better each day... the power of the human comes from the history before her... I aim to be a student of life and the world is my classroom. Most people describe me as a leader, someone who is resourceful, and is not afraid to be alone, but loves the company of a silent presence. I plan to travel to Brazil May 3oth, 2009. I will be living, learning and working in the fevelas Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I hope to take as many people on this trip through my blog...
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