This is unfortunate for me to read. As a man of African descent / african-american, I have been looking at different places to not only visit but to possibly call home. I'm also a United States military veteran as is my wife. So the health Care system of the country is very important to me as well.
Portugal was checking a lot of boxes for me and my family but what I've just read here, shows that there is a racial powder keg that will eventually explode in portugal.
I've had no choice but to study the concept of race because it has affected me and people that look like me for so long.
The problem is simple to understand but it's not simple to fix. Apparently, as long as there are people in the world who are further themselves as "white", then there will always be another color by default."whiteness"and it's invention has been studied by numerous if not countless academics in the field of sociology.
We know when it was invented, we know why it was invented and we also know why it continues to exist even though it has absolutely no basis in biological fact.
There are no absolutely no human beings that are the color white nor are they human beings the color black.
The term" people of color "which came into Vogue over the last couple of years describing people that are of darker color then, is also misleading because every human being is a person of color. Scientifically and biologically.
Before the invention of whiteness, there was only origin of human. Basically there were no white people that were only Europeans or Irish, etc.
Your land of birth was your identifier.
There were also no black people, only Africans.
Eventually these Africans would be called, savages, ethiops (meaning burnt skin).. and blacks.. and worse. Notice that all of these derogatory terms are descriptive. They are not actual terms for human identity.
Ie, you are not a fat woman(descriptive term), you are a human being, female from Europe.
at the end of the day we were all human beings. Our bloodline could be traced to a point of Earth and this could be seen in the DNA and genealogy. There is no white blood, there is no black blood. There is no "blue blood"denoting Royal heritage.
I suppose the most ironic thing of all is that Portugal with its history of the African slave trade, and it's ports that it still exists today, had a huge hand in the development of whiteness, discrimination, racism.
The solution would be a worldwide reconditioning. It would have to be in every government, and every state, province, trickling down to the school systems.
You would have to teach the next generations to refer to themselves as what they truly are which would be human beings. Identify as male or female as well as your blood origin. These would be your true identifiers backed by science, by genealogy and blood. There would be no white, there would be no black.
But every single white supremacist organization or far right organization is comprised of human beings that are ill programmed and conditioned. They emotionally lost or unstable due to negative occurrences in their upbringing or social standing.
And unfortunately, the gentrification of Portugal is going to cause more racial hatred. The Portuguese who have lived there are starting to become desperate and envious.
But I am afraid that it is not just a question of racism and that it has been transversal throughout Europe.
In Portugal, the risk of poverty rate rose to 20%. Lisbon had the biggest increase.
In 2023, over 100 thousand people were living on less than 591 euros per month. Poverty or social exclusion now threatens 2.2 million Portuguese people.
Almost a quarter of Portuguese workers earn only the minimum wage, €820, when average rents rose, on average, by €350 from 2022 to 2023, reaching an average value per home of €1,200. In Lisbon, it is an average rent of 1,164 euros for a T0 or T1 (2023).
I am unemployed, living in my brother's home for charity with a €407 of unemployment allowance.
It is not the racism of a few delusional. It is also a mismatched and uncontrolled European policy on emigration and a savage liberalism that removed the right to housing from the market.
All these difficulties and inconsistencies are exploited by the far-right, but other political leaders continue to fail to respond with courage and seriousness. Certainly, no matter how cosmopolitan and assertive you are, you wouldn't be able to welcome 20 people into your home without even being able to provide them with sources of income...
We are going for our visa appointment in a few days and anticipate moving to Bonfim, the very neighborhood where two of these crimes took place, in less than ten weeks. While the underbelly of Portugal is more apparent to me now (and I am thankful to learn of this), I will continue to hold out hope that we will feel more at peace with life there than we do here in the states. I can't help but think this is what it must have felt like to live during the years leading up to WWII for those who had the awareness of all that was happening in the world at the time.
Hate is definitely everywhere, but Portugal still is one of the top 5 safest countries in the world. I live in the ritzy suburbs on Indianapolis a couple roads away from our last VP and yet, I still religiously check my citizen app at night to make sure there are no crazy people with guns about to shoot up my neighborhood. And then the fact I am now unsafe everywhere in the world just because I am Jewish and the majority of the world believes the Hamas propaganda that has brilliantly been woven into liberal mainstream media across the globe. I have had to block many Substack writers, who I thought were good journalists, for supporting the lies Hamas throws to mainstream media. It's a scary world and it is actually incredible any of us make it past the age of 30 anymore. OK, that was so negative, it's been a really scary time though here in America!
Kate, thank you for your comment. You're right, Portugal is still one of the safest countries in the world. I'm sorry that you don't feel safe where you live - you're not the first person to tell me that, unfortunately. I hope you can visit Portugal sometime in the future. I'll be happy to talk to you over a glass of Portuguese wine! - CW
While you point to issues that are economic, housing, low wages, rising food costs etc., the focus is on racial conflict. Doesn’t this suggest that the issues are intertwined? If so, I imagine so are the solutions.
Well written and I thank you for expanding my awareness. Unfortunately I do think there is an element of racial discrimination everywhere and, like you, I find it truly disturbing. This is a challenging time in the history of humanity and it saddens me greatly. While I am only one person, I continue to believe that diversity is our strength and that differences make us stronger in so many ways. Hate and violence beget hate and violence. I will continue to choose kindness. Thank you for having the courage to share your thoughts and concerns about this difficult issue.
Thank you for sharing the news and the background details. It's important that your readers are aware and can form balanced views and expectations of living in Portugal.
Thanks for sharing. I’m seeing so much more chatter about this. I’m very happy with our decision to be here. But I don’t know where my head and heart would have lead me if I had read more of this 2 years ago. I know it is much worse where I came from but I thought for the most part it was left behind. The rose colored glasses have certainly come off. Sadly…
Hate and ignorance…I wonder if the ugly example from the United States hasn’t “given permission” for underlying issues here to come up into the light. The videos of the attacks in Porto were disturbing.
While this article accurately talks about the curse of the far-right groups in Portugal, it ignores the far-left, which also spreads rampant antisemitism in Lisbon and Porto. I remember the Summer of Love when I was a teenager. Now, it seems like we are entering the Summer of Hate. It is not just Portugal, though. It seems to be a world-wide epidemic.
It is factual. I also read it in Portugal news at the time. There has also been swastika graffiti around Porto and Free Palestine graffiti sprayed on a synagogue there. The Jerusalem Post is a highly respected newspaper. Sorry that you find it too biased to believe.
And you believe that painting the swastika is the work of the far left? Unfortunately, I've seen it, and it's stupid that it's happening. However, I don't think that painting the swastika is the work of the left... for reasons that are more than obvious. As for the fight for Palestine and the call for peace... what kind of world is this in which a call for peace is so reprehensible? Strange, very strange. Not least because there are also Jews calling for the same thing.
I do not know who is painting swastikas, but I do know that the far left is every bit as guilty as the far right when it comes to antisemitism. You may not want to believe that, but it has been plain to see when it comes to Hamas support and tearing down posters of hostages. Everyone wants peace, but the question is how to achieve it. When it is coupled with support of Hamas, who call for all Jews to be killed anywhere in the world, and who take pride in rape and torture, that should be an obvious non-starter.
This. And not just Portugal. I see frustration and anger in all the European subreddits about rising costs for groceries and housing, fewer social benefits (attempts to raise retirement ages, more difficulty getting medical appointments). And so many complaints about immigrants.
In Denmark, one substack I read regularly reported, "Two ministers from Venstre, Morten Dahlin and Marie Bjerre, said that “integration is not enough, we need assimilation.” Denmark is already one of the toughest EU countries to enter--what kind of assimilation are we talking about, exactly? Echoes of another time...I really hoped we were past this.
It really is a great shame that all these fascists are getting out of their caves. I’m starting to not recognize my own country anymore, and yet, somehow, it isn’t surprising
This is unfortunate for me to read. As a man of African descent / african-american, I have been looking at different places to not only visit but to possibly call home. I'm also a United States military veteran as is my wife. So the health Care system of the country is very important to me as well.
Portugal was checking a lot of boxes for me and my family but what I've just read here, shows that there is a racial powder keg that will eventually explode in portugal.
I've had no choice but to study the concept of race because it has affected me and people that look like me for so long.
The problem is simple to understand but it's not simple to fix. Apparently, as long as there are people in the world who are further themselves as "white", then there will always be another color by default."whiteness"and it's invention has been studied by numerous if not countless academics in the field of sociology.
We know when it was invented, we know why it was invented and we also know why it continues to exist even though it has absolutely no basis in biological fact.
There are no absolutely no human beings that are the color white nor are they human beings the color black.
The term" people of color "which came into Vogue over the last couple of years describing people that are of darker color then, is also misleading because every human being is a person of color. Scientifically and biologically.
Before the invention of whiteness, there was only origin of human. Basically there were no white people that were only Europeans or Irish, etc.
Your land of birth was your identifier.
There were also no black people, only Africans.
Eventually these Africans would be called, savages, ethiops (meaning burnt skin).. and blacks.. and worse. Notice that all of these derogatory terms are descriptive. They are not actual terms for human identity.
Ie, you are not a fat woman(descriptive term), you are a human being, female from Europe.
at the end of the day we were all human beings. Our bloodline could be traced to a point of Earth and this could be seen in the DNA and genealogy. There is no white blood, there is no black blood. There is no "blue blood"denoting Royal heritage.
I suppose the most ironic thing of all is that Portugal with its history of the African slave trade, and it's ports that it still exists today, had a huge hand in the development of whiteness, discrimination, racism.
The solution would be a worldwide reconditioning. It would have to be in every government, and every state, province, trickling down to the school systems.
You would have to teach the next generations to refer to themselves as what they truly are which would be human beings. Identify as male or female as well as your blood origin. These would be your true identifiers backed by science, by genealogy and blood. There would be no white, there would be no black.
But every single white supremacist organization or far right organization is comprised of human beings that are ill programmed and conditioned. They emotionally lost or unstable due to negative occurrences in their upbringing or social standing.
And unfortunately, the gentrification of Portugal is going to cause more racial hatred. The Portuguese who have lived there are starting to become desperate and envious.
Thank you for your thoughts and comments.
But I am afraid that it is not just a question of racism and that it has been transversal throughout Europe.
In Portugal, the risk of poverty rate rose to 20%. Lisbon had the biggest increase.
In 2023, over 100 thousand people were living on less than 591 euros per month. Poverty or social exclusion now threatens 2.2 million Portuguese people.
Almost a quarter of Portuguese workers earn only the minimum wage, €820, when average rents rose, on average, by €350 from 2022 to 2023, reaching an average value per home of €1,200. In Lisbon, it is an average rent of 1,164 euros for a T0 or T1 (2023).
I am unemployed, living in my brother's home for charity with a €407 of unemployment allowance.
It is not the racism of a few delusional. It is also a mismatched and uncontrolled European policy on emigration and a savage liberalism that removed the right to housing from the market.
All these difficulties and inconsistencies are exploited by the far-right, but other political leaders continue to fail to respond with courage and seriousness. Certainly, no matter how cosmopolitan and assertive you are, you wouldn't be able to welcome 20 people into your home without even being able to provide them with sources of income...
Thank you for writing this Carol. 🙏🏼
We are going for our visa appointment in a few days and anticipate moving to Bonfim, the very neighborhood where two of these crimes took place, in less than ten weeks. While the underbelly of Portugal is more apparent to me now (and I am thankful to learn of this), I will continue to hold out hope that we will feel more at peace with life there than we do here in the states. I can't help but think this is what it must have felt like to live during the years leading up to WWII for those who had the awareness of all that was happening in the world at the time.
Hate is definitely everywhere, but Portugal still is one of the top 5 safest countries in the world. I live in the ritzy suburbs on Indianapolis a couple roads away from our last VP and yet, I still religiously check my citizen app at night to make sure there are no crazy people with guns about to shoot up my neighborhood. And then the fact I am now unsafe everywhere in the world just because I am Jewish and the majority of the world believes the Hamas propaganda that has brilliantly been woven into liberal mainstream media across the globe. I have had to block many Substack writers, who I thought were good journalists, for supporting the lies Hamas throws to mainstream media. It's a scary world and it is actually incredible any of us make it past the age of 30 anymore. OK, that was so negative, it's been a really scary time though here in America!
Kate, thank you for your comment. You're right, Portugal is still one of the safest countries in the world. I'm sorry that you don't feel safe where you live - you're not the first person to tell me that, unfortunately. I hope you can visit Portugal sometime in the future. I'll be happy to talk to you over a glass of Portuguese wine! - CW
I cannot wait. Hoping to reschedule for the fall! And hoping to be living there within 5 years. X
Happy to help answer any questions!
Thank you!!
Reality is sometimes negative, especially when critical thinking seems to be in short supply. I think History is not being taught well enough.
Absolutely
While you point to issues that are economic, housing, low wages, rising food costs etc., the focus is on racial conflict. Doesn’t this suggest that the issues are intertwined? If so, I imagine so are the solutions.
Thanks for your comment, Philip. I do believe much of these issues are intertwined as well as possible solutions. - CW
Well written and I thank you for expanding my awareness. Unfortunately I do think there is an element of racial discrimination everywhere and, like you, I find it truly disturbing. This is a challenging time in the history of humanity and it saddens me greatly. While I am only one person, I continue to believe that diversity is our strength and that differences make us stronger in so many ways. Hate and violence beget hate and violence. I will continue to choose kindness. Thank you for having the courage to share your thoughts and concerns about this difficult issue.
Thank you for your comment, Barb, and I completely agree with you! Diversity is our collective strength. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts! - CW
Thank you for writing as it’s something we can’t close our eyes hold our breathe and hope it disappears
It needs addressing discussion & real solutions implemented and not quick fix ones or token acknowledgment
globally the moral compass has been swinging the wrong way for too long
Portugal has changed & it’s an issue that has to be tackled head on & a zero tolerance towards what we are seeing
But it’ s a global issue with greed & self thinking leading the charge
divides got bigger life got tougher
Information on tap 24/7 and that includes misinformation violent ideology being shared igniting
anger hate & violence as the acceptable response people believing & being very clear that they have
“The freedom to act & say as they want” without consequences
Constantly yelling that the immigrant(always the easy target ) is the issue even the tourist gets blamed anyone but themselves
It’s really wake up time for all
Understating the interconnectedness of this world would be a positive step forward
We are a lot more alike than different
Thank you for sharing the news and the background details. It's important that your readers are aware and can form balanced views and expectations of living in Portugal.
Thanks for your comment, Susan. It wasn't an easy piece to write. But I think, necessary. - CW
Highly necessary. I am proud of your courage to tackle this, to provide indepth background we are otherwise missing.
Thanks for sharing. I’m seeing so much more chatter about this. I’m very happy with our decision to be here. But I don’t know where my head and heart would have lead me if I had read more of this 2 years ago. I know it is much worse where I came from but I thought for the most part it was left behind. The rose colored glasses have certainly come off. Sadly…
Hate and ignorance…I wonder if the ugly example from the United States hasn’t “given permission” for underlying issues here to come up into the light. The videos of the attacks in Porto were disturbing.
While this article accurately talks about the curse of the far-right groups in Portugal, it ignores the far-left, which also spreads rampant antisemitism in Lisbon and Porto. I remember the Summer of Love when I was a teenager. Now, it seems like we are entering the Summer of Hate. It is not just Portugal, though. It seems to be a world-wide epidemic.
Tell me more about how far left is spreading antisemitism
https://m.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-784953
Coming from “the Jerusalem post” seems to be very biased. I’ll search for a Portuguese news reporting this.
It is factual. I also read it in Portugal news at the time. There has also been swastika graffiti around Porto and Free Palestine graffiti sprayed on a synagogue there. The Jerusalem Post is a highly respected newspaper. Sorry that you find it too biased to believe.
And you believe that painting the swastika is the work of the far left? Unfortunately, I've seen it, and it's stupid that it's happening. However, I don't think that painting the swastika is the work of the left... for reasons that are more than obvious. As for the fight for Palestine and the call for peace... what kind of world is this in which a call for peace is so reprehensible? Strange, very strange. Not least because there are also Jews calling for the same thing.
I do not know who is painting swastikas, but I do know that the far left is every bit as guilty as the far right when it comes to antisemitism. You may not want to believe that, but it has been plain to see when it comes to Hamas support and tearing down posters of hostages. Everyone wants peace, but the question is how to achieve it. When it is coupled with support of Hamas, who call for all Jews to be killed anywhere in the world, and who take pride in rape and torture, that should be an obvious non-starter.
This. And not just Portugal. I see frustration and anger in all the European subreddits about rising costs for groceries and housing, fewer social benefits (attempts to raise retirement ages, more difficulty getting medical appointments). And so many complaints about immigrants.
In Denmark, one substack I read regularly reported, "Two ministers from Venstre, Morten Dahlin and Marie Bjerre, said that “integration is not enough, we need assimilation.” Denmark is already one of the toughest EU countries to enter--what kind of assimilation are we talking about, exactly? Echoes of another time...I really hoped we were past this.
It really is a great shame that all these fascists are getting out of their caves. I’m starting to not recognize my own country anymore, and yet, somehow, it isn’t surprising