Global Violence: Connections between the US and Brazil
May 7, 2009 | Nancy BaconAddressing poverty in Brazil– or anywhere for that matter– involves holistic solutions that bring citizens from all of our countries together to work for equality and better quality of life for everyone. One example of how we are all interconnected lies in the relationship between drugs, guns, and violence here and the same issues in the shantytowns of Brazil. Seattle International Foundation president Bill Clapp recently wrote in the Seattle Times about the connection between the drug trade in the US and the drug trade in Central America. Interwoven with the drug trade is violence and the gun trade, and how U.S. legislation regarding guns affects our neighbors to the south. Gun violence is a huge challenge for impoverished shantytown residents. A recent article in the Global Politician discusses the connection between violence and a depressed economy. To quote that article: “To make the matter worse, countries in Central and Southern America top the league for gun homicides, with Colombia suffering from a mortality rate of 50 deaths for every 100,000 people, according to United Nations figures. The statistics for gun deaths in Honduras , El Salvador , Brazil , Venezuela , Guatemala, Jamaica and Ecuador are only marginally less. For many ordinary citizens of these nations, however, the quality of life is getting worse due to the constant fear of the firearms. In the increasingly desperate towns and villages, people are killing one another in record numbers and the social costs of gun violence are alarming.”
Deadly Floods Strike NE Brazil
May 7, 2009 | Nancy BaconFloods are once again affecting Brazil’s northeast. Shantytowns are built precariously up steep hillsides, and these rains cause tremendous devastation to impoverished people living in these communities. CNN Link
New book on aid in Africa echoes Bahia Street lessons
May 4, 2009 | Nancy BaconNew York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof reviews Richard Dowden’s new book entitled Africa: Altered States, Ordinary Miracles and quotes Dowden as saying: “Aid agencies, Western celebrities, rock stars and politicians cannot save Africa. Only Africans can develop Africa. Outsiders can help, but only if they understand it, work with it.” Further in support of Dowden’s thesis, Kristof speaks in favor of grassroots efforts with local knowledge and support, concluding that “We could do much more to support such efforts, with us Westerners serving as aides and financiers to African social entrepreneurs.”
I could not help but think about Bahia Street while reading this review. We have long stated that we are providing financial support and invited advice to a community of individuals — lead by Rita — working for social change within their own society. I appreciated reading Dowden and Kristof’s views on aid in Africa because it speaks to the types of partnerships across cultures that best end poverty for our world’s most impoverished people.
