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Judi Lynn

(160,542 posts) Mon Mar 26, 2012, 03:59 AM Mar 2012

Brazil slavery unearthed

March 26, 2012 at 1:00 am

Brazil slavery unearthed

Traces of painful past discovered in harbor remake
By Juliana Barbassa
Associated Press

Rio de Janeiro — In a rundown part of Rio de Janeiro's harbor district, archaeologists are digging up fragments of a history many Brazilians would rather ignore.

Up to a million men and women forced into bondage in Africa emerged from the bellies of ships onto the Valongo wharf of what was once the world's busiest slave-trading port. Today, as Brazil surges forward on the world stage, scholars hope the trove of beads, bracelets and statuettes they are finding will also prompt Brazilians to look backward with greater interest at their slave heritage.

The wharf that was intentionally buried in 1840 and replaced by a new port is coming back to light as part of a $5 billion project remaking Rio's port region for tourism and business ahead of the 2016 Olympics.

Brazilians have long viewed their country as a racial democracy free from prejudice and the discrimination that marked U.S. history.

More:
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120326/NATION/203260361/1020/nation/Brazil-slavery-unearthed

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Brazil slavery unearthed (Original Post) Judi Lynn Mar 2012 OP

Thanks for posting Sherman A1 Mar 2012 #1

When I was in Brazil, someone told me that one of the reasons slavery ended was because Lucky Luciano Mar 2012 #2

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)

1. Thanks for posting

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Mon Mar 26, 2012, 04:08 AM

Mar 2012

History can be uncomfortable at times, but there are lessons to be learned.

Lucky Luciano

(11,257 posts)

2. When I was in Brazil, someone told me that one of the reasons slavery ended was because

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Mon Mar 26, 2012, 07:22 AM

Mar 2012

some owner came up with the brilliant idea that if he paid his workers, they would be more productive - and they were - by orders of magnitude....others soon followed. Imagine that. This is a vague recollection, so correct me if i am wrong about this.

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