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"How Have Brazilians Added to the Quality of Life in Broward
County?"
Jonathan Osorio
Tequesta Trace Middle School - 7th Grade
Third Place
Brazil; a land of magnificent natural wonders,
marvelous beaches, a diverse variety of vegetation and wildlife, a
great culture that shines over others and the incredible kindness of
the people are combined in a unique country different from the
others. Once a remote Portuguese colony, Brazil is now the giant of
South America and an important member of the International
Community. From the vast and still unexplored Amazon, to some of the
most important cities in South America, the fifth largest country of
the planet holds something that amazes tourists and people from all
over the whole world, its people.
Brazilians are product of a combination among a wide variety of
people. The first people that lived in Brazil were the Native
Indians. The Portuguese arrived approximately in the 1500. After
years, Portugal began bringing slaves from the distant Africa. The
last part of this combination was made up by the immigrants, who
added color and variety to Brazil's lifestyles. They came from an
extensive variety of countries, such as: Spain, Italy, Germany,
Japan and Poland. Through years, these different races were
combined, creating a multiethnic group of people, a different and
special race; Brazilians.
Brazilians constantly impact outsiders and tourists, with their
ability to look on the bright side of life. The treatment we can
receive from Brazilians is kind, respectful and humble.
"Brasileiros" (Brazilians in Portuguese) also love their country,
following its traditions and
respecting its patriotic symbols. Brazilians' Culture is another
piece that matches exactly with the other ones, fantastic and
colorful. Brazil is a sensational country, very organized and well-
adapted to its resources. From some years ago, Brazil has turn into
a developed country, with the purpose of become a better country for
its people and for the tourists. So, if Brazil has a perfect
combination of everything; why are Brazilians migrating to other
countries?
Brazilians do not emigrate either for economical reasons or
political, since they have an excellent nation at home. They leave
their country for the search of another kind of dream. In the case
of The United States of America, it is for what immigrants call "The
American Dream", Brazilians arrive to this nation (Land of
Opportunities), in order to become retailers, artists, designers,
models, teachers, singers, etc., bringing with them a little piece
of the beautiful Brazil, integrating perfectly to the American
Culture.
In the State of Florida, specifically in Broward County, we have a
numerous representation of Brazilians. Broward County is home to one
of the largest and most active Brazilian Communities in the United
States. This community is so important that they have established a
Consulate in Miami. The Consulate General of Brazil in Miami has two
priorities: promoting Brazilian culture; and the valorization of the
Portuguese language by supporting the spread of its learning.
Serving as financial and institutional support for Brazilians
events, the Consulate also helps our institutions such as: "The
Miami Art Museum", " The Broward Center for the Performing Arts",
and the" The Carnival Center for the Performing Arts"; or events,
for example: "The Brazilian Film Festival" and the "Press Award".
The Consulate is also realizing the admirable task of distributing
material referring to the Brazilian culture, in schools and
universities. The Consulate has also helped our county, translating
the Broward Schools County's web page. It is necessary to recognize
that not any country worries about its international image, and just
a few countries realize campaigns, such as this contest, in which
foreign students perform research to write about Brazil, or its
fantastic culture and people, which will be read by us. Now, it is
usual to hear among Broward students phrases such as: "Someday, I
want to go to Brazil", "I dream about going to the Rio carnivals and
dancing the Samba"; "This summer I want to go to the famous beaches
of Copacabana & Ipanema, or to the beautiful Farol beach" or "I wish
to embrace the majestic Christ of Corcovado".
From the year 1997, The Cultural Center Brazil-USA of Florida has
served as an important bridge between the Brazilians and the South
Florida Society, offering people, students and families the
resources and materials for school projects of Brazil. Founded by a
group of Brazilian volunteers who are residents of Miami, The CCBU
is one of the greatest institutions which sponsor cultural events,
educational institutions and universities. Through its programs, the
Cultural Center strengthens its relationships between Brazil and
Florida, and leaves an important and positive mark on the
multi-cultural communities of South Florida. Some of their first
programs were: a library open to the public, special talks on
Brazilians topics and Essay competitions on Brazilian themes for
students. This institute also promotes the celebration of the
carnivals, classes of the Portuguese language, music and dance
performances. They promote the learning of the Samba, the typical
and most famous dance from Brazil, which is danced in the "Rio de
Janeiro Carnivals". The CCBU has become a reference point for
Brazilian culture and a great help for the Broward County Community.
Brazilians who have come to the Broward County, not only have
brought personal things in their luggage; they also have brought the
good energies from their nation. These "good energies" are the great
friendship among themselves; the wonderful and diverse culture and
the desire to grow in a new country. They have brought all this
incredible things to our nation, and they also have scattered this
all over our county. In our schools, the Brazilian Students are
characterized for being sociable and friendly. Portuguese, the
official language of the beautiful Brazil, is the third most often
spoken foreign language among students in our schools.
Another way Brazilians are adding quality of life in our county, is
working on many types of different jobs. Brazilians have not limited
themselves only working on one type of business; they have created
their own companies, or they work in others already established.
Brazilians, do not work as the majority of other persons, they put
their heart into their job and they try to help people the most it
is possible. Also, they believe that work is not something created
to benefit the person who is realizing it; it also must be an
activity to benefit the other people. For a Brazilian, is more
valuable the smile in the faces of their customers, than their own
payment. Some of the places in which Brazilians work are: Academies,
car dealers, banks, hospitals, academic institutions, and many
others. This is proof that Brazilians are untiring workers,
optimistic and very intelligent people.
The international community of Brazil in the State of Florida, not
only have added a part of Brazil's Culture to our society, or a part
of its traditions and musical influences, or not only have sponsored
many Brazilians and American events, they also have added quality of
life to our county, and they have taught to us about their beautiful
country, consequently we can say that in Broward we have a piece of
Brazil. Now, I have become part of the people who say:
"Someday, I want to go to Brazil"
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Bibliographies and Reference Sources
Web Reference Sources:
• Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia: Brazil http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil
• Brazil Travel http://www.brazil.com/
• The Consulate General of Brazil in Miami http://www.brazilmiami.org/eng/index.php
• Cultural Center Brazil-USA of Florida http://www.brazilmiamicultural.org
Book Reference Sources:
• Cultures of the World: Brazil
Marshall Cavendish Corporation, Richard Christopher, 1999.
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