The Katherine Massey Book Club @ The C.O.W.S. hosts the 12th study session on Mário Filho's 1947 The Black Man in Brazilian Soccer, translated to English by Jack A. Draper III. Brazilian football (soccer) legend Pelé died near the end of 2022 at the age of 82. His transition along with the disgraceful hooliganism displayed when former President Jair Bolsonaro lost the presidency to Lula da Silva, motivated us to read this book. Since most non-white people have not traveled to South America or studied Brazil, this seems like a great time to do some south-of-the-equator learning. After months of loitering in Florida following his 2022 election defeat, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro reportedly returned to home at the end of last week. Joyous crowds greeted him with boisterous cheers. Some Bolsonaro supporters donned the jersey of the national soccer team. Last week's chapter (The Trial of the Black Man), further demonstrates the low plight of black people in South America. Filho describes how World War II impacted Brazil, which became one of the havens for fleeing Nazis after the war. Filho details one scene where soccer becomes a metaphor for War. Fanatics would show up for games with thousands of cherry bombs to be ignited for their teams entrance. Smoke would blacken the sky as if there were attending a freshly bombarded battle-field - as opposed to a ball game. Filho continues to emphasize the importance of hair texture and how many non-white people did as much as possible to be accepted as White. This included getting plastic surgery to make one's nose appear more like a White person's. I know right... plastic surgery in early 20th century South America?!?!?! I don't even know what type of refrigeration they had at that time. #NazisAndButtLifts #TheCOWS14Years INVEST in The COWS – http://paypal.me/TheCOWS Cash App: https://cash.app/$TheCOWS CALL IN NUMBER: 605.313.5164 CODE: 564943#