The Hopes and Fears of All Brazil

...are represented here in this double issue of the popular magazine Veja (look/see); the hopes of Rio-born athletes for the London Olympics and the fears of those traumatised throughout Brazil, over the years, by the still high or rising crime rate.

The latter report talks of people modifying their behaviour through fear and staying in at night or coming home before darkness, avoiding certain bars or restaurants, and also avoiding going into banks preferring the use of cash line machines - ATMs - instead.

The one glimmer of hope again lies in the so-called emerging middle classes providing examples of other ways to fulfil aspirational goals to many who until now, and operating within their own world view, have been entirely focused on murdering and maiming on their way to greater wealth.