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Brazilians just say no!
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President Bush |
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William K Wolfrum
May 8th 2005
BRAZIL -
Taken from the perspective of an outsider, Brazil often appears ensconced in
quaintness.
The recent crowning of a new “Miss Brasil” really helped illustrate that
point. A televised affair, the contest featured contestants from each of
Brazil’s 24 states. The contest itself is a sister of the Miss America
pageant, as the winner will represent her nation at the Miss Universe
Pageant.
Simply put, the Miss Brasil pageant was a testimony to the ability to put on
an entire, large-scale production with a budget that appeared to be just
under $25 (US). First of all, the televised portion of the pageant appeared
to be shot on Beta, or some other now-defunct type of film.
Though the quality was kind of blurry, one was able to watch horrible
direction, unknown singers and a set design that appeared to be built
specifically to collapse at crucial times. The girls involved were sports
through it all, though one fell down and a few others seemed to not be quite
sure in what contest they were participating. Things normalized at the end,
however, as the only blonde in the contest was deemed the winner.
The best thing about the quaintness of Brazil, however, is that Brazilians
themselves seem to understand it completely. They are a fiercely proud
people, but they have a sense of humor and understand that their country has
its problems. So Brazil’s recent turn-down of $40 million from the U.S. for
fighting AIDs seemed a bit out of character for this South American giant.
As stated prior, Brazilians are proud but realistic. There is a basic sense
of “Brazil first” here, meaning the nationals seem to be willing to accept
most things offered them in order to improve the country as a whole. Put it
this way: If Bill Gates was willing to give Brazil a truckload of money with
the requirement that all Brazilians would have to simultaneously Samba for
his birthday, it would probably be doable down here.
So why did Brazil turn down $40 million to fight AIDs? Simply put, because
Brazil refuses to condemn prostitution.
At first glance, that appears ludicrous. It’s in the Bible somewhere that
prostitution is bad, right? So why not condemn it? Well, because the Bush
and Co. decided that Brazil HAD to condemn prostitution before they would
send the money.
Now, for all its problems, Brazil has managed to stay on the cutting edge of
the AIDs fight for some time. They have long had needle-exchange programs
for intravenous drug users, and currently people in Brazil suffering from
HIV/AIDS receive free medication from the government. Plus, Brazil has been
accepting money from the U.S. since 1996. With Brazil’s leadership, the AIDs
epidemic in Latin America has begun to slow, now with 1.7 percent of its
population suffering from the disease, as opposed to 1.0 percent in North
America.
For now, however, Brazil has said no to America’s moral demands.
"We don't accept this meddling because it interferes with our sovereignty.
We have our anti-AIDS program and they have their way of fighting AIDS," a
press officer at the Brazilian Health Ministry said.
Meddling in the morals of its own people and people worldwide has become
second nature to America’s leaders, with the current regime hitting the
accelerator. When documents become public that show republicans salivating
over the political football of Terri Schiavo, it becomes obvious that
morality is a key issue for the GOP rank and file.
But whose morality is it, anyway? More and more, people are beginning to see
that it is the morality of staying-in-power. It is not about what will lead
to a greater society, it is what will lead to better political career and
party. It is a morality that can change with the drop of a vote.
It is likely that Bush’s morality clause will be rescinded and Brazil will
receive the money eventually, though the Bush Corporation have rarely shown
tact in dealing with those that disagree with them.
What matters though, is that Brazil refused to be defined by the U.S. In a
land where the line “Home of the Free” is popular, it is time for Americans
to do the same. The morality of Americans does not have to goose-step in tow
with the government. It is every American’s right to choose their path,
provided it does not hurt others.
Hopefully, with Brazil’s lead, Americans will see they can say no to the
government, as well. And then, just maybe, in 2008, the vote won’t just go
to the prettiest contestant in a mediocre pageant.
William K. Wolfrum is a freelance writer in Minas
Gerais, Brazil.
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