General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: White Male Privilege Is Why We Laugh At Lochte And Vilify Douglas [View all]Grey Lemercier
(1,429 posts)There are no US cities where express kidnappings (taken at gunpoint from street or car to atm for forced withdrawl) are as common as they are in most every large Brasilian city. In Porto Allegre I have a dear friend who I have visited 4 times, in 3 cities, and she, like millions, lives in a middle class area (Class B in Brasilian nomenclature) and every single complex in her neighbourhood has gates and guards and yet still so many are robbed at gunpoint if they get out of their car too long when entering. I repeat, talk to average Brasilians, they will confirm what I posit. I have yet to meet one whose lives (either directly or via extended familial or friendship networks) has not been touched by potentially lethal situational violence. On my mother' side (Anglo/Bajan) I have relatives who moved decades ago to Florianopolis, in Santa Catarina state, which is arguably the most LGBTQ friendly of all Brasilian areas, very touristy, and the same applies there, although not to same level as a Rio, a Sao Paulo, a Natal, or a Salvador. It is simple another world compared to the US.