News from Brazil, No.459-Nov 22, 2001 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit source - SEJUP --------------------------------------------------------------------- NEWS FROM BRAZIL supplied by SEJUP (Servico Brasileiro de Justica e Paz) Number 459, November 22, 2001. Visit our home page: http://www.oneworld.org/sejup/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- In this week's issue: NEWS BRIEFS - Judge awards reparations to indigenous groups - Transfer of Brazilian soccer players pays foreign debt ECONOMIC ISSUES - Supermarkets of the poor increase profits RACIAL ISSUES - Zumbi and November 20th: the Brazilian National Day of Black Consciousness NEWS BRIEFS - Judge awards reparations to indigenous groups For the first time in Brazilian history, the Brazilian Justice department ruled against the State and in favor of a group of indigenous called the Panara, awarding the group over US$500,000. The Panara sued the State for deaths and damages which happened in the 1970's when the government built a road through the group's territory. The action resulted in the deaths of 175 Panaras through diseases they caught from construction workers. The group was reduced from 250 to 80. The workers also introduced alcohol to the Panaras and sexual abused minors. Eventually, the Panaras were moved off their lands and on to a reservation. In 1995 and 1996 they returned to their lands, and now number 240. Ironically, the judge who awarded the reparations is the father of one of the young men who burned Galdino Jesus dos Santos to death (see last week's News from Brazil on our web site for more details of that story). Source: Folha de Sao Paulo November 18, 2001 - Transfer of Brazilian soccer players pays foreign debt This year the Brazil National team has been a frustration for the Brazilian soccer fans. It was only in the last qualifying game in the South American matches that the national team qualified for World Cup, 2002. But not so frustrating were the dollars received through the sale of players to teams in foreign countries, mostly Japan and Portugal in helping with payments to external debt. The Central Bank states that the transfer of soccer players to foreign teams has brought US$114.9 million to the country between January and September of this year. This represents an increase of 17% in relation to the same period of last year. In comparison with the first nine months of 1999, the sale of soccer players increased 44%. The volume of dollars obtained with these transfers is low in comparison with what Brazil needs to close its external accounts this year, but the monies obtained with these transfers is higher than the monies received from the export of the traditional Brazilian exports, such as bananas and cocoa. In 2000, the exportation of bananas brought US$12.4 million, while the sale of soccer players brought in US$130 million. Some members of the Central Bank of Brazil feel this amount is underestimated as they believe some of these transactions are illegal and the monies received end up in banks on off-shore islands in the Carribean. Source: A Folha de Sao Paulo November 18, 2001 ECONOMIC ISSUES - Supermarkets of the poor increase profits Supermarkets in the poorer neighborhoods of Sao Paulo are doing well despite the economic crisis that has taken hold in the country. Supermarkets that are in the poorer neighborhoods are the only ones who have shown some growth during this past year. They have attracted the lower income consumer with products that are not major brand names. Martinho Paiva Moreira, of D'avo Supermarkets, a chain that has grown greatly in the neighborhoods of the eastern zone of the city of Sao Paulo, states that those with less buying power are conservative in their buying habits and want the most for what they pay. The uncertainty of employment makes this buyer more Spartan when it come to choosing a product. They look closely at the price and will usually chose a product that is less known and not the major brand name. One manufacturer of filled cookies is planning to invest in making cookies with the flavors of pamonha (a corn product) and pumpkin. The owner says, "These are the flavors that those who live in the poorer neighborhoods like. It would be of no use to make chocolate cookies filled with nuts. This is not the taste of those who live lower income neighborhoods." A major supermarket in the Northeast of Brazil, Pregobom, opened two new supermarkets under the name of Balaio, in low-income neighborhoods. What makes these new supermarkets different from the parent is in order to reduce costs they offer no bags nor baggers. The customer brings his or her own bags. Data released by the Brazilian Association of Food Industries (ABIA) confirmed the fact that in September the production of food products for the domestic market had an accumulative fall of 2.8% and 4.7% in sales. But in June, the month following the energy rationing that was declared by the government, consumption fell 2.6% but sales shot up 6.7%. Production was not worse because items of lesser aggregate value were doing well, but they did not have enough force to withstand the fall in sales. Source: Valor Economico November 5, 2001 RACIAL ISSUES - Zumbi and November 20th: the Brazilian National Day of Black Consciousness During the era of slavery in Brazil, the enslaved African peoples developed different ways of resisting slavery, oppression and colonization. One story, which marks the history of black Brazilians, is when a group of forty men and women ran away from their masters, walked many miles through valleys and mountains, and discovered the beautiful, fertile, vast land, located in the northeast of Brazil in the current state of Alagoas. This group of refugees settled in this beautiful land, which was known as Palmares (land of the palm trees). These runaway African slaves settled in the land of Palmares, forming a village known as the "Quilombo dos Palmares" (the refuge of the black people in the land of the palm trees). This community thrived for almost one hundred years from 1600 to 1695. In the Quilombo dos Palmares, the slaves lived the experience of their African culture freely; men, women and children lived in equality respecting one another. The land belonged to all and the harvest from the land was shared equally. The population of Quilombo dos Palmares grew up to 70,000 people. It was believed that there were also poor white and indigenous people who all lived together in harmony in the Quilombo dos Palmares. Zumbi of Palmares was the leader of this community. Zumbi was a strong, courageous and determined man, who many Afro-Brazilian people today consider to be their hero. As the leader of the Quilombo of Palmares, Zumbi taught and showed a good example to his people. He was not afraid of the government officials, but kept his community united and strong in the face of colonial opposition. On the other hand, the government officials were very threatened by his leadership skills and the unity that the people in his community had developed. The imperial government was afraid that many slave owners would lose all of their slaves if they learned about Zumbi and his community. For this reason the Governor of the nearby city gave an order for the assassination of Zumbi. He was assassinated on November 20th of 1695. Throughout Brazil there were many other small quilombos where black people found refuge and lived their culture in liberty. In 1888 the law which declared the freedom of slaves was passed in Brazil. Actually, contrary to freedom, this law created more suffering and abandonment of the black people. In the quilombos, the black, indigenous and poor white people did not have titles to their land. The land that quilombos held belonged to everyone in common. Most of the blacks that were already living in the Quilombos lost their land, as it was distributed to the big landowners. Many of the black people were pushed out to live on the outskirts of the cities. For some of the blacks who decided to continue living in the quilombos, the land was taken away from them, but they had to pay for the right to live on the land through their hard work. The most common way of paying was to give a half of the year's harvest to their landowners. This unjust situation of indentured servanthood created poverty and economic problems, especially when the rains were scarce. The history of Quilombo dos Palmares inspires many black activists who are fighting for their liberation, human's rights, dignity, respect and equality. Zumbi, a famous hero among Afro-Brazilians, left the spirit of courage, good example and persistence in fighting for civil rights. Many Afro-Brazilian movements have been using Zumbi as an example to be followed by everyone. The memory of Zumbi (his way of thinking, acting, and reacting against the oppression of black people) has to be carried into the future for bringing about a change in the racist, Brazilian society which still discriminates against black and indigenous peoples. Afro-Brazilian peoples and movements in Brazil have been fighting for over 300 years to overcome oppression and discrimination. It was not until 1995 that the 20th of November was recognized as a special commemorative day in Brazil's calendar. Now the 20th of November, the anniversary of the death of the hero Zumbi, is a very special day throughout Brazil for Afro-Brazilians to commemorate, celebrate their culture, and use the opportunity to educate and raise black consciousness among those who are not yet aware. Efu Nyaki and Dennis Moorman are Maryknoll Missioners who work with Afro-Brazilians. This year the Black Movement, with whom Efu and Dennis work, will be promoting a two-week program of activities in primary schools and various communities to celebrate black identity and raise awareness about racial discrimination. The programs will end with a celebration of Afro-Brazilian culture on November 20th. Thanks to Zumbi who initiated the freedom struggle over 400 years ago, we carry on this legacy today. VIVA ZUMBI DOS PALMARES! By Efu Nyaki. --------------------------------------------------------------------- The reproduction of this material is permitted as long as the source is cited. If you wish to contact us or receive NEWS FROM BRAZIL free of charge by e-mail send a message to sejup1@ax.apc.org ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytsa-11.24.01-04:55:05-15509