Caio

Caio

Oral history from Salvador, Brazil to Lawrence, Kansas

Living in Lawrence, KS at the time of this interview, Caio is a student from Salvador, Brazil. He first arrived in the United States to teach Portuguese in Florida where he remembers being able to connect to a diverse group of individuals because he grew up with a region that is racially and culturally diverse. Caio briefly went back to Brazil before arriving in Lawrence, KS.

He is enthusiastic about sharing Brazilian culture with the community and is the president of the Capoeira Club, a member of BRASA, the Brazilian Students Association, has led Brazilian dance lessons and was part of the Lawrence Public Library’s Cuentacuentos and Multicultural Storytime. His advice for the younger generation is to focus on doing the best you can within your circumstances.

2010s

Lawrence, Kansas

Caio (C)
Joohye (J)

C: So I actually, I'm living in the United States for a second time.


C: So I did my master's here [Lawrence, Kansas] for two years. And I'm doing my PhD at Department of Spanish and Portuguese. So I've been here for four years, four-and-a-half, pretty much.


J: And do you consider yourself an immigrant, you think?


C: That's interesting because this is something that I asked myself all the time because officially I'm a non-immigrant. Right. When I look at my visa, when I look at my I20, that–that’s pretty evident that I am non-immigrant.


C: But I consider myself an immigrant. I live here. I've been here for four years. I've been it's been my socials, It's been my life. It's been my reality nowadays and I don't even I don't really know if I'm ever going back home or if I'm leading this country because I'll be here for at least three or four years until 2020…maybe 2024, 2025.


C: So yes, I consider myself an immigrant.


J: And you also talked about [how] you receive the Fulbright and then that's how you arrived at Miami to teach. Can you explain or can you speak more about–Was there a Brazilian community in Miami or was there relate to or how–What was it like?


C: So I–my experience was pretty unique because I–I thought I was gonna get a stipend and live wherever I wanted. But I had to live on campus. And that was a historically black university [HBCU].


C: So that was interesting in a way because I come from a city called Salvador, which is considered the largest black city outside of Africa; it has a huge black–Afro-Brazilian population.


C: So I was looking forward to the sharing and exchanging, like, this cultural aspects with them. And that was very positive though in this way. But I–I had to live surrounded by students and I was a TA. So there was a hierarchy and I had to be aware of that. So I wasn't–I couldn't not fully…I could not make many friends, you know.


C: Regarding the Brazilians, I actually met a couple Brazilians. But they were, let's say, I have this. Maybe it's, maybe it's some kind of prejudice. But many Brazilians who live in Miami, that's my perception, hey are like upper middle-class Brazilians are middle-class, upper-class Brazilians who have a different way of seeing life as I do. So I wasn't really into those people.


C: So I did make a couple other Latino friends, friends with people from other Latin American countries. That was very nice. Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic. And I gotta improve my Spanish for sure. Yeah…so.


C: But most of my social circle was related to school, which was the Afro–the African-American population. So that was a microcosm. And say, you know, my experience was more of a microcosm in that university than Miami itself.


C: I would enjoy the city sometimes, like on weekends. But that was, you know, that wasn't part of my daily life. I would stay on campus most of the time.


C: But that was positive. I liked it so much. That's why I'm doing my minor in African Studies. African African-American studies.


J: Yeah, That is wonderful. Then I saw that in a University Daily Kansan article that you, you do lead or you lead the Capoeira Club? Is that–Do you still continue to?


C: I'm actually the president of the club. So we got some funds to hire an instructor. So we have classes twice a week with this instructor from Brazil. So yeah, I was the one who tried to get the funds–the funding for that.


C: So yeah, I'm still leading the club and I'm also leading a Brazilian Student Association, BRASA, at KU. So I'm leading both groups.


J: And could you explain more about why you decided to become president–your involvement and or like was it so that more people could be aware of these aspects of Brazilian culture?


C: Well…yes. First of all, to be honest, it was because I wanted to spread my wings. I was like, I want to meet–I want to be able to meet other people from outside of the department at a personal level.


C: But yes, I did want–and I do want to promote Brazilian culture. Is this something–this something I'm very aware of.


C: I try to talk about Brazil as much as I can. You know, whoever I meet, whoever I meet. I try to talk about the country, about the cities, about this dynamics of race, politics. So this is something that I do all the time.


C: It's political in a way because I do that in my work and my papers. I tried to include Brazil as much as I can. I try to organize events like parties, academic events. We did organize something interesting last semester. And we want to organize a Brazilian week next semester. So it is political as well.


C: So yes, I have several motivations at a personal level and also at a political level.


J: Does this also sort of translate over to the Lawrence Public Library? You did the Cunetacuentos or the Multicultural Storytime? Would you be able to explain a little bit more about that?


C: Oh yeah. I love that. They actually have done so many things. I’ve done so many things at KU, now that you're asking. Yeah, there was a public library and the project if–as far as I remember, it was a project GRASP. If I'm not mistaken, which is the Graduate Association of Students of Spanish and Portuguese. Then some of the grad students would take turns going there and volunteer to tell to do the storytelling. So I would do that in Spanish.


C: But then there was the Multicultural Storytime. And I remember, I think it was a, it was sponsored by the library. And I volunteered to tell stories in Portuguese. So I would do that. I would tell stories in Portuguese and Spanish.


C: So basically half an hour on Saturdays, once in awhile, yeah.


C: So, yeah, so that was a very good way of also teaching a little bit of the vocabulary. I would try to show a little bit of the vocabulary before telling the story to all the vocabulary as if I were in a classroom. So the parents and the kids would have fun and would learn and then I would do the storytelling after this.


J: Okay, so we covered the Multicultural Storytime, the Cuentacuentos, the Capoeira club. Also, you did a samba, forró, and Zoom class for dance. Dancing?


C: Yes. That's what I'm saying. Like now that you're asking, like, I have realized that I've done a lot of stuff here.


C: Yes, some samba, forró,and zumba. It was an initiative of BRASA, Brazilian Student Association, and LAGO, Latin American Graduate Organization.


C: So we would take turns, some of the students would take turns teaching whatever music style they would know. So I would teach the Brazilian [dance] styles once a month. So the class that would take place once every two weeks, and then we will take turns.


C: So I would teach once a week, once a week, once a month. I taught samba; I taught forró, which is kinda resembles salsa a little bit, and Afro-Brazilian of music. Yeah, different Brazilian styles.


C: And this is actually something that I want to resume because we had to stop because of the pandemic. Actually even after COVID, we will teach on Zoom for a couple of months, but then we suspended it.


C: This is something I really want to resume. I want to bring this up by next semester and see who would like to volunteer to resume these activities. So again, this is me being political about spreading as much as I can about Brazilian culture.


J: We've mentioned a lot of your own personal efforts in order, like you said, to promote on a personal and political level, like you said. But how do you, what do you do for yourself to connect with Brazilian culture? Do you still cook traditional foods or listen to the radio stations or read Portuguese newspapers? Or are these events also a way [to connect]?


C: I'm actually, I'm actually strongly connected to Brazil because the first thing I do, after waking up, I put some podcasts. And then hear the news about Brazil. So much more into what's going on in Brazil, what's going on in the US, honestly.


C: And especially because now we've been dealing with this president called Jair Bolsonaro; he is neo-fascist. Who is, you know–represents a disaster in Brazil, economic disaster, a political like, health disaster because of COVID.


C: So I've been trying to follow as much as I can, you know, to keep up with what's going on there as much as I can. So I watch the news every day. I listened to podcasts. I listen to Brazilian music.


C: Actually–basically, this is my daily workout. You know, before at night. I usually, I like this a lot. So I have different playlist with different choreographies, dance routines of Brazilian styles and stuff. So this is something that I do everyday. I keep looking for new songs, for example, new choreographies.


C: So that's how I basically, this is basically how I worked out. I didn't say it like.


C: And I'm always in touch with my friends. I'm always talking about friends and family.


C: [On] social media. I follow lots of politicians and follow, lots of artists follow. Yeah. So I can, I'm still very connected to Brazil. And I'm actually here in the US because I–it's not because it was not just a dream. You know, It was not to live the American dream, to be honest, it was because the country [Brazil] is going through an economic, very serious economic crisis. So I just felt like I had to go somewhere else to be able to thrive.


C: So, but I'm totally connected. And that's why I have this Brazilian Student Association. I have weekly meetings. I organized weekly meetings for people to get together and speak Portuguese. And I always expect to see Brazilians there, you know?


C: So it's a way to be connected to other Brazilians. And it's been successful because, you know, I always have the chance to make a good crowd, you know, every, every week. So yes, I've pretty much connected.


C: And this is something interesting because a lot of people in Brazil, they are surprised when they talk to me after a long time they get there. They're still surprised that I have a strong that I still have my strong local accent from my hometown because they expect me to meet other resilience.


C: With time. I would lose my accent, but I don't, I haven't. I still have this strong local accident from my hometown and I make sure I keep it, you know, I really want to preserve it. This is my–part of my identity.


J: And I know we touched on this with the other previous things we've talked about. But what would you say about maybe the Brazilian community within Lawrence, like greater Lawrence outside the University of Kansas.


J: Is there, would you say, a Brazilian community? Or, how– how would you define it?


C: I would say Brazilian community. Yes, we do have a very tiny Brazilian community in Lawrence. We have I don't know how I don't actually know how many Brazilian students are at KU.


C: But I know of 30 students. 30 students, which is not a lot. But yeah, we have this very small community. But I know that in Overland Park, Olathe, in these towns surrounding Kansas City, there are more Brazilians.


C: There is this Brazilian Academy, which is a studio where they offer [indistinguishable]. So lessons–Cappoeira lessons, Brazilian dance in different music styles. Dance classes.


C: So there are many Brazilians who live in the area. So yeah, we do have a community and presented community here, but really tiny comparatively. If you compare it to Miami or Boston.


C: Boston has the largest amount of Brazilian immigrants in the country. So it is pretty tiny, but just sad, like I wish there were more.


J: And, you mentioned how you were able to bond with the other Africans and African Americans in Miami. And so I was wondering, were you able to form other bonds that were similar across cultures, across identities within Lawrence as well?


C: Yes, because actually, this is what my department–actually my department, there are people from–this is what I've heard. Like in the department of Spanish and Portuguese. They're our best students for several countries, even from the, even from the United States.


C: You know, like because there are so many people from so many different countries. So here the Department, Spanish and Portuguese will have, I have colleagues from Korea, Colombia, from Spain, Panama, the U.S., Uruguay, Argentina. Jewish Americans. Christians.


C: So, yes. And outside of the department as well, I have friends from the Middle East, from Asia. East Asia, from–from Eastern Europe, Russia. So yeah, I really like the fact that I have so many friends from so many different countries.


C: But unfortunately, I don't know many African-Americans here. I don't think there are as many. But yeah.


J: Thank you for that comparison. This is, I guess, the final question and sort of a wrap-up question.


J: Wth you–since you've had all these exciting experiences, I'm doing the Capoeira and also living in Miami and then Salvador, going back to Salvador, Brazil. And now you're here in Lawrence. Do you have any advice or wisdom that you would like to let the younger generation know or just other individuals?


C: Yeah, actually, this is what I tell everybody. There isn't a perfect place to live. There isn't a place of dreams. I don't think you will find happiness in a place; it is not the place itself that will make you happy, but the circumstances you–


C: That's what I told my friends in Brazil. That they can be really happy where they are. But they can be really unhappy where they are.


C: If they come to the U.S. they can be really happy, but they can be really unhappy. It will depend on their legal status, will depend on the city where they're going to live, on the opportunities that they will have.


C: So it will depend.


C: I know Brazilians that are miserable in the U.S.; I know Brazilians who don't want to leave this country. I know Brazilians who are indifferent. They are okay. They will be fine with any work: with whatever, you know.


C: And I know Brazilians who are really happy because they have good jobs, have stability and I know Brazilians who are unhappy because they have no perspectives, they have no–they are poor. They live in a very violent zone; it will depend.


C: So what I would tell this generation is don't try to escape, try to live abroad as a way to escape from–as a way of escaping from your sadness or whatever. You know, I don't think another place will necessarily make you happier. It will depend. There is no formula. This is what I tell everybody.


C: I actually, I, yesterday I gave a speech to this group of fifth grade students in Brazil. And I told them this, you know, that a person can be really happy in Brazil because we have all their things, for example, I don't have my family here [in Kansas]. I miss my family.


C: But I have stability. I have safety. I feel really safe here. I don't have to be afraid of robbers, because Brazil can be really violent. So there are pros and cons.


C: So there is a Brazilian, there was a Brazilian singer. I don't know if that's..if he’s the author of this. But he would say that living in Brazil is good, but it sucks. Living abroad sucks, but it's good. I think that it was Tom Jobin. I might look it up eventually.


C: So this is what I would say. You know, there is no secret formula. Each experience is unique. There are happy and unhappy experiences, good and bad experiences. This is what I would say.

Joohye Oh

English

Audio

Brazil

Lawrence, Kansas