Intergroup Relations

The older group of Brazilian immigrants, especially the elite, traditionally associated with the English-speaking establishment in Canada. Poorer members of the community, including the monolingual Portuguese-speaking immigrants of the exodus in the 1980s, have become closely allied with the Portuguese, especially in Toronto. In part, a shared historical heritage, as well as a common language, created this alliance with the Portuguese, who were economically and socially well established in the country. Portuguese-speaking social workers and religious leaders helped the impoverished settlers find places to live and assisted in their encounters with authorities. Many of the Brazilian arrivals found employment, formal and informal, with Portuguese businesses, and in some ways the Brazilian community has seemed a subset of the Portuguese.

But, despite a similar linguistic background, the two cultures are fundamentally dissimilar. Brazil, with its African traditions, vast interior, large population, and industrial cities, has developed in ways different from the small European nation. In every sense – economics, politics, literature, humour, and art – the two countries are sharply diverse. For over a century, Brazilians have considered themselves to be the more progressive nation. On the other hand, Portugal, as a recent member of the European Union, is in a much more stable economic position. The result has been mutual respect between the two peoples that does not carry over into admiration. Brazilian-Portuguese cooperation in Canada tends to be based on common economic interests, with little in the way of shared cultural or political action. Portuguese television is strongly oriented to the European country and the Azores in both its news and cultural broadcasting, and Brazilians have tried to establish their own programs and networks. The only programs of common interest are Brazilian-made serials called telenovelas, which are extremely popular everywhere.

Brazilian relations with other Latin American communities in Canada are more distant. Brazilians have always considered themselves distinct from Hispanic America. Although the several Spanish-American groups in Canada often get together for a common social or economic purpose, Brazilians are almost never invited to join. Language explains only a part of this difference since Spanish and Portuguese, although dissimilar, are almost mutually intelligible. The distinction is cultural and historical. Spain and Portugal founded separate empires in South America, which have seen several centuries of boundary disputes and frontier warfare. The histories taught to children in school reflect this hostility. Mutual incomprehension and antagonism are the result at the individual level, and this attitude is reflected in social relations.

Other Canadians know little about the geography, history, economy, politics, and culture of Brazil. Although the Globe and Mail maintained a Latin American correspondent in the country for a number of years, little in the way of background material has been provided for the general public. The lack of awareness about Brazilian problems has been criticized by members of the local community. Recently, some contact has developed between ecological and native-interest groups in the two countries, but resources for study are lacking in public institutions in Canada. For this reason, most Brazilian social organizations have a mandate to inform the Canadian public about the country. At the University of Toronto, courses have been taught in Brazilian geography, history, literature, film, and society. Library resources and speakers have been supported by the university and by Brascan. A number of important Brazilian and Brazilianist scholars have visited the city, including Helio Jaguaribe, Charles Wagley, Eulalia Lobo, Laura de Mello e Souza, and Roberto da Matta.