Cerneka describes life of Brazil's poor
By TESSIE HOWLAND
News Writer
The current rate of unemployment in Brazil is comparable to that in the United States during the Great Depression, said Saint Mary's alumna Heidi Cerneka, who spoke Wednesday about her ministry work with the street women of Brazil. Cerneka ministers to poor women of the street and their children in Sao Paulo.
"Women don't want to [live on the street], but there aren't any alternatives." Cerneka said. "We can't tell them to leave the streets."
Cerneka sees instances of discrimination against different races and older women constantly. Women of color find it challenging to obtain a job, especially if they are older than their mid-20s.
"It's like the stories you hear where [women] walk in and they say `The position has just been filled,'" said Cerneka. "They don't challenge it as racism because they see it as true."
Cerneka uses the discrimination to her advantage.
"I'm white, North American and educated. Them handing me that power is what gave me the courage to fight," she said.
Cerneka said that gender roles, power and economics need to be addressed to spark change.
"Street kids have very specific gender roles," Cerneka said. "Boys are more likely to steal. Street girls are more vulnerable ... I keep thinking the next generation is doomed if they don't get education. That's where we affect things. These women didn't get past fourth grade education, but their kids might."
Cerneka discussed many topics beyond power and gender roles. She made attendants of the lecture aware of police violence, childcare and health care.
"When someone like Heidi Cerneka comes, she reminds us of things we can think of as women issues," said Phyllis Kaminski, associate professor of religious studies at Saint Mary's College. "She shows us we can concretely see how race, class, and gender come together and that women's rights are human rights."
Cerneka plans to visit several other colleges across the country on her four-week visit to the United States. After that, she will return to Brazil for three more years.
All News Stories for Thursday, April 13, 2000
