"42" Movie

Last Friday my husband and I went to the movies, as we always do. We saw “42”, a film about Jackie Robinson, the greatest American baseball player ever. The story tells about the determination of the Brooklyn Dodgers Branch (Harrison Ford) in bringing a black player to the team. He wants to do that in order to compensate an event in his life in the past, when he saw a black player suffering prejudice and did nothing. He made himself a promise that would do whatever he possible can to feel be doing justice to a black person, Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman).

            Prejudice was the main topic shown in this film. The way black people were treated those years ago is something hard to forget, considering that that was the way white people were supposed to behavior towards black people. The film shows a change in some characters’ behavior after Robinson’s performance game after game. Although he was really the best player in the team, he did not impose himself, but conquered the other players’ respect and friendship – even though they were all white.

            A good movie, a good performance, a good story, a good lesson.

Preparing a Brazilian Feijoada

Preparing a Brazilian Feijoada in the United States

It all began the day my husband decided to invite some friends and prepare an authentic Feijoada. That would not be a problem except for the fact that we are living currently in Orem, Utah, in the United States of America. Pork parts as we find in almost any street corners in Brazil become a challenging quest when you are out of the country, most specifically in the United States. You simply cannot find pork ears, or tail, or tongue. You cannot find any salted pork parts either, like ribs, feet, and loin. 

But my husband did not give up. He made a wonderful Feijoada for our friends here in Orem. In order to make yourself this Brazilian/American Feijoada, you will find most of the ingredients for it in most well-known supermarkets in the United States, such as Walmart, Target, of WinCo. The hardest thing to find is the Manioc Meal, or Roasted Cassava Flour, used to prepare the Farofa. We have found it in a Spanish/Brazilian store nearby. As a last resort, you can use cornbread stuffing.

Considering that Brazilian people always find a way to do things, especially when it comes to preparing a Feijoada at home in order to cure homesickness, they can overcome any obstacles. Brazilian people are one of the most creative people in the world, and our ability to improvise is famous. So, let's improvise! The recipe below serves 6 people.

Brazilian Feijoada in the American Style
by Jose Carlos Munhoz

Ingredients: Black Beans, 2-3 cans (pre-cooked)

Meat:  Filet mignon medallion, 2 units; Pork ribs, 1/2 lb.; Smoked sausage, 1 unit; Ham steak, 1/4 lb. (premium lean); Smoked pork chops, 1 package (Hormell); Jerk beef (optional).

Side foods: Rice, 3 cups; Kale; White roasted cassava/manioc flour, 2 cups; Orange in slices (one unit for each guest; Farofa, approximately 1 lb., and Spicy beans sauce.

Seasonings: Onion, 2 units; Garlic, (optional to be used in the rice); Olive oil, canola oil (optional); Parsley; Chives; Cilantro; Scallions; Finger hot red pepper; Salt; Tabasco sauce; Sugar (a pinch to be used in the cabbage); Chicken Flavor Bouillon (Knorr), 2 tsp., to be used in the Farofa.


Directions

1. To be done three days before:
The pork ribs must be salted.
Put them inside a recipient and cover them thoroughly with salt.
Cut off one of the ribs (already salted) and reserve in in the fridge.
Cover the recipient with the rest of the ribs and keep it in the fridge for three days.

2. To be done the day before:
Take the recipient with the ribs out of the fridge and start the process of withdrawing the excess of salt, soaking them in cold water three times, in intervals of 6 hours. Each time, return the covered recipient with water and ribs back to the fridge.
After the last time, fill again the recipient with the ribs and water and leave it in the fridge until the time you will start the cooking process.

3. Preparations of the day
Cut the 2 filets mignons into cubes of one inch.
Slice the smoked sausage as thick as you wish.
Cut the bacon into small cubes.
Cut the ham steak into small pieces; do not discharge the bone yet.
If you are using jerk beef, cut the pieces proportionally to the rest of meat.
If any part of the meat has bones, leave the bones to be cooked together.
Peel and cut one onion into small pieces.
If you are using garlic, peel and smash two cloves of garlic (optional).
Wash the rice thoroughly and reserve it to dry.
Slice the cabbage in very small stripes, wash it and reserve.

4. Feijoada cooking process
Take the recipient with the ribs out of the fridge and discharge the water.
Divide the ribs; if you think they are too big, cut each in half.
In a large pan, put the sliced onion with 1/4 cup olive oil and cook until it becomes soften.
Add the parsley and chives.
Add the sliced bacon together with the ribs, including the rib you left reserved in the fridge. (Note: the salt on this piece of rib will be enough for the preparation.)
Put the lid on, and cook altogether for 10-15 minutes in medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Add the rest of the sliced smoked meat and cook during more 15 minutes.
Add 2-3 cans of black beans plus one can of water, and cook for more 30 minutes.
When it starts boiling, decrease the heat to medium-low temperature. Stir occasionally.
Try the salt. Be careful if you feel it needs more. Do not salt your Feijoada too much.
Watch the water. Add more (hot) water if you want your Feijoada more liquid.
The Feijoada will be ready when the meat becomes soft and loosen from the bones.
Now you can withdraw the bones, if you wish.

Note: Your Feijoada can be eaten the same day, but it will be much more tasteful if served the next day.

Side Dishes

White Rice

In a medium pan, put olive oil and onion and cook until it gets soft. Add smashed garlic if you want.
Add the rice previously washed and dried. For each cup of rice, use 2 cups of water.
Add salt and stir.
Add hot water and cook until it starts boiling, and then reduce the heat.
Put the lid on and finish cooking, observing the water at the bottom. The rice will be ready when the water evaporates and the rice becomes soft.

Farofa

Slice one cup of bacon.
Slice 1/4 cup of black olives.
In a pan, fry the bacon until it becomes golden brown.
Add the black olives.
Add 1/4 cup of olive oil and heat.
When heated, pour the cassava/manioc flour.
Stir until you get the desired consistency.
The amount of flour will determine the humidity of the Farofa.
(Watch the heat; the Farofa should not be burnt in the bottom.)

Cabbage (Kale)

In a pan or a skillet, put olive oil and sliced onion enough for the amount of cabbage.
Add the sliced cabbage with a pinch of salt and a pinch of sugar (this will help your cabbage remains green.)
Put the lid on and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Sliced Orange

Peel the oranges you have already reserved.
Cut them in slices and dispose them in a ceramic bowl or on a plate.

Spicy Beans Sauce

In a ceramic or metal bowl, put the cilantro, scallions, salt, olive oil, a little bit of vinegar, and one finely chopped finger red hot pepper, and add a cup of warm bean broth, and stir all together.
Use a teaspoon to serve. Each person would put some of this sauce on the black beans in their plate.

For each dish, serve a portion of each component, while still warm.

Enjoy it!

Bullying in U.S. Schools

Bullying in U.S. Elementary and High Schools

One of the most likely solutions for the bullying problem in our schools can include education and good principles taught at school and at home, in order to help children and teens to treat each other with more respect.

According to NEA (National Education Association), it is necessary to know what bullying is and what bullying is not. It is also important that teachers take the responsibility to intervene whenever a bullying situation occurs at school. The text also states the role of parents at home as models of behavior towards friends, relatives, and people from the community. The article ponders about the effectiveness of the law against bullying and the way that teachers and parents can help to develop a sense of caring and respect among children and teens. According to the article, bullying can be prevented starting inside the home (NEA, 2013).

In the article “Is Bullying Learned at Home?” authored by PhD. Ersilia Menesini, she states that frequent conflicts and disputes between siblings can be considered as a kind of bullying. It describes the possibility of children victimized by their older brothers transfer this behavior to school. The text also makes reflections about parents who are not aware of the effects of this kind of behavior. “Siblings relationships can, in some cases, serve as a ‘training ground’ for bullying, deviancy, and aggression” (Menesini, 2013). Based on these facts, one can infer that parents should interact more with children in order to be aware of any change on their children’s behavior, especially “if their relationships appear negative and full of conflict” (Menesini, 2013).

The article “Bullying and Victimization: What Adults Can Do to Help”, by Eric S. Buhs and Maria de Guzman, from Florida Department of Education, University of Nebraska, describes in detail the bullying prevention and how professionals and community can work together against it. The article shows resources both for educators and parents. The study of bullying and its consequences helps to identify the possible causes in order to prevent bullying from happen and create opportunities of a better life for children who were victims of it. 

Movies and Real Life

Movies and Real LIfe

I just love to go to the movies. Last week I saw two films that made me think about two of the most important thing in our lives: acceptation and forgiveness.

The film about acceptation was “Warm Body”, a romantic comedy about a zombie guy, “R”, who falls in love with a living girl, Julie. In this fantastic scenario, the living people are afraid of contracting the zombies’ disease. Humans do not believe there is a cure, but the outcome of the relationship between “R” and Julie proves the contrary, and acceptation can be the cure. I liked the message of this film because it makes a link between our own perceptions or our prejudices and the way we accept or reject people who are different from us in whatever ways. It is also a lesson about friendship and a person’s influence over a community.

“Identity Thief” was the other film I have seen. The Washington Post issue of February 7, 2013, brought an interesting comment about it. It says; “Although it’s R-rated primarily for foul language, even its profanities are used sparingly in comparison with most other adult comedies. The outrageous sex scene that is the other reason for the R rating is done with imagination rather than exploitation, as it is entirely depicted through the ridiculous facial expressions of the characters involved rather than with nudity and graphic positions. Even when gunplay is involved, characters are shot in a shoulder, a toe or a calf rather than killed in a bloody mess”. In the article, critic Carl Kozlowski comment is entitled “Identity Thief – Rare R-rated comedy with a strong moral center”.

I liked the film very much precisely because it is not pretentious. It depicts a complex, strong personality, stubborn, funny character in “Diana” (Melissa McCarthy), and her connection with a very well structured family man in “Sandy” (Jason Bateman). “Thief” is a lesson about family, abandonment, loyalty, and consideration. It is a good grown-up comedy and I had a great and enjoyable time at the theatre watching it.

Henry Ford

Henry Ford, the Icon of Self-Made Man

Yesterday I watched to an interesting documentary on TV. It was about Henry Ford, you know, one of the most famous examples of success and strength. Yes, the same one who built the Ford motor company. This documentary was not about his brilliant career as an engineer, but was connected to the events that brought trials to one of the richest man ever. It was about his way of thinking and his relationship with his son, William Ford. As I search in the Internet, his Rouge Plant in Dearborn, Michigan, had a total floor space of 6,952,484 square feet, with a total cost of $268,991,592.07. Note that according to the 2010 census, the entire population of Dearborn City was 98,153 people. Amazing! What called my attention to this documentary though was the information that Henry Ford was a man of strong convictions and did not change his mind easily. After producing the Model T, in 1908, he thought he has built the most perfect car ever and decided that there was no need to try any new models, despite his son’s suggestions. It took several years and the risk of losing his empire until he recognize the need of a new model. The relationship between father and son was so complicated that William, the son, was diagnosed as having a severe stomach ulcer that became the cancer that eventually caused his death. The old Ford was a very difficult father, although he was a very respectable man in his own way.

Learning about General Laurent Nkunda

Learning about General Laurent Nkunda

Yesterday our group at school was assigned to comment a video about the Democratic Republic of Congo after elections in 2006. I was surprised to see how little I knew about their History and problems. I was shocked to learn about the genocide of the tutsi population and about how the interhamwe is still active and causing suffering to people in general.

I learned as well about the Congolese general Laurent Nkunda and the circumstances of his arrest in 2009. He was one of the last rebel leaders who fought the established govern and try to protect the remaining tutsi people.

What surprised me the most is the fact that general Nkunda was arrested four year ago and remains in a Rwanda's house confinement ever since, with no charges against him. Most current information says that he was not taken to trial yet because he knows too much, and there are government and powerful factions who are not interested in having him in court revealing their doings. Meanwhile, he is living in prison and there is no one willing to defend him.   

NRA and the Gun Control

Thoughts about the Gun Control Law

I have watched on TV that President Obama’s speech about the new Gun Control Law. There has been much controversy about this issue. The National Rifle Association is proving to be one of the staunchest opponents to the gun control, and they have been using some unscrupulous ways to demonstrate opposition to President Obama ideas. This long-term debate caused me to think about some of the reasons the NRA spokesman brought to the public to defend their so-called rights to trade and use guns. Here are some of my concerns.

More guns bring more violence. Although some people think they will feel more secure with a gun in their pocket, they cannot be sure that they will continue alive after a shooting. Furthermore, whether they survive or not, their gun can be taken by the perpetrator, who will use it against other people. 

More guns in the school will not solve the shootings problem. How comfortable will you feel knowing that your little brother, your nephew or your niece will be studying at a school where their teacher carries a gun while teaching? Are you sure that the students will not be curious about the gun and its function? Are you sure it will be in a safe place, far from the kids? How do you know this person is prepared to defend the students during a shooting occurrence? And if that happens, and someone you love is injured, what will be your feelings toward that teacher?

There should be more discussion about the topic of violence and mental health. Most people know what a gun is made for. A gun itself is harmless. The use people do with it that is the problem. Ideally, it is meant to be used in several sport situations, like in competitions shooting a target, or during the hunting season. Policeman and tactic defense groups use it in critical situations to save lives. Unfortunately, especially in America, a gun can be purchased by anyone. How to determine who is mentally capable of having it? People who trade guns are not interested in that, they want to sell their product, whoever the person is or is up to.

Violence presented in TV and in videogames affects children and youth. I truly believe that children’s mentality and personality are under the influence of what they learn at home and most dangerously of what they watch on TV. Childhood is the period of time a person acquires the most important values and behavior standards. They learn what they see.

Violence and abuse suffered by children at home lead to violence in adulthood. It is sad, but some people have experienced violence and abuse in their childhood and several studies prove that this is one of the more important cause of violence in adulthood.

There is a great necessity of more education focused in preventing violence. Instead of feeding the violence in the children’s minds by introducing them to guns, there is an urgent necessity of focus in education towards preventing violence. This can be done teaching them that violence is a sign of mental disturbance, for instance.

There is also a great necessity of giving more importance to the way people raise their families and live a righteous life. A criminal mind profile shows that a person comes from a non-structured family and faced many difficulties in life, or faced any kind of disturbance during his or her childhood. Our leaders in Church constantly advice us regarding to the importance of living a righteous life and raise a family according to wholesome principles. Thus there is a preeminent necessity of giving more importance to this in order to prevent violence in and outside home.