Last Sunday, indignation was the major response of Brazilians living in and around New York City, as they watched the most ridiculous reporting that the Brazilian TV newsmagazine “Fantástico” produced in its history. Titled “Fear in New York,” Fantástico and reporter Zeca Camargo traveled more than 6,000 miles to stir up genuine terror among the families of the thousands of Brazilians who live in this region of the United States.
Due to the war now afflicting the world and the environment of total fear shown in the program, many e-mails and phone calls came in from worried viewers in Brazil. These were matched by innumerable calls repudiating the show’s message from Brazilians who live here. It only shows how far the climate of fear—alleged by the reporter—is from the truth. It was depressing to see how an experienced and respected reporter could produce something so ruinous and false.
He jumped on some half-dozen trendy-looking young guys, who often didn’t even know why they were there, to act and speak like a bunch of wimps. It hardly reflected the opinion of those who live an everyday existence in the capital of the world. Fear exists, yes, but not as it was presented on the air. In the end, who isn’t afraid of something?
Another woman interviewed, the biggest wimp they could find, blubbered that she walks around town with her passport in her purse and has her bags packed at home, ready to leave at any moment in case of attack. With all of this, they forgot to tell her that in an emergency situation, such as terror attacks or war, the first thing to shut down would be the airports. Now, if she is thinking of swimming away from Manhattan in those frozen waters, she’ll find another 500 like-minded people.
Another couple was so fearful of the violence in Brazil that they fled for the United States. Now they are thinking of fleeing back to Brazil. Really, it’s starting to look like an act worthy of the comedians in Os Trapalhões!
Danger exists everywhere you go, whether in Rio de Janeiro or any other Brazilian city. Only the name of the phobia changes. Instead of terrorists, they’re called “drug dealers,” “kidnappers,” or “muggers.” The danger is the same, with only one difference: you face it every day!
The only consolation in this issue is that the Globo network’s own correspondents here in New York didn’t lend themselves to this cardboard drama.
If this wave of fear and danger really existed, it would be better not to come from so far away, because the gentleman in question (Zeca Camargo) would make easy quarry. From far, far away, he can make friends with the lady with the passport in her purse, as she escapes swimming.
