Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Brazilian Authorities Turn in a Mixed Solution When it Comes to the Poverty-Stricken and the Homeless

The postcard images of Rio de Janeiro present a study in contrast, as Lula’s pockets are not deep enough to curry the amount of transformative change that is needed. The sprawling city is caught between the Atlantic Ocean and the vast Atlantic Forest region, where world-famous beaches and steep mountains abruptly collide with a growing population and a growing amount of pavement. Rio evokes images of two distinct worlds. One is the luxurious resort city famous for Carnaval, supermodels, and beautiful beaches. But recently, the conception of Rio as a dangerous city plagued by poverty, violence, and drugs has entered mainstream discussion, partially as a result of such popular films as City of God and Elite Squad. The pattern of segregation by financial status within the city has been longstanding, though largely unknown abroad.

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