I left Brazil when I was 10 years old (mother married my now American stepfather), and after I arrived I'd tell EVERYONE I could get my hands on, that my country was simply the best in the world. 15 years later, the more I see, read, experience and discuss, makes me realize how much millions of people suffer, excruciating and agonizing termoils because of rich, greedy, god-fearing hypocrites that run the country.
I grew up in Rio then later moved to Minas Gerais (country side state) and this is what my life was like:
1) Raped by children gangs. I was 7. Yeah poverty line kids in Brazil at a young age have little gangs. They see music videos "funk" and quickly develop a street attitude if not beaten to traumatic levels to give up the lifestyle.
2) Constantly in fear of being raped by men (I'm a guy) when going into certain parts of town.
3) Constant fear of getting killed. For any reason. Even looking at someone.
4) Constant fear of getting robbed. Anywhere you go. My house was broken into 4 times, the fourth time I came home early and saw three kids running away. Window broken. Pad lock cut. Good bye Supper Nintendo. Which was wicked expensive at the time btw.
4) Bullying is on a next level. Because I was fat when I was a kid, I was raped, beaten, publicly humiliated, and always the laughing stock for just being alive. I didn't like conflict so people used that to their advantage and even have a nice scar on my forehead over my right eye to remind me that if you trade a toy for another, and don't give 100% interest back somehow you get a brick to the face.
"But that's your experience, not all of Brazil is like that". Sure. But if you live here, or ever visit, just sit down and watch the news. Then maybe my experience won't seem so unusual.
This is the result of extreme poverty and incredible inequality. The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. Combine that with the Catholic religion and the extreme "patriot" brainwashing they receive from birth, it's a recipe for disaster. Only after I left my country did I realise how shit everything really is. I love my people and their flaws, but I despise my country and the cesspool of oligarchs that continue to ruin it and continue to widen the gap between the people who have the opportunity succeed but succumb to a life of crime, all while screaming their heart out with tears of joy with how much "EU AMO BRASIL!! #1 NUMERO UM! VIVA!". Makes me sick.