Brazilian writer, Vanessa Barbara, wrote a post for the NY Times last week titled, “Life as a Brazilian Woman.”  I read it.  I liked it.  Here’s what I think:

1) I’m glad that an article written by a well educated, opinionated but eloquent Brazilian woman was published in a US publication.  When you are raised Brazilian in the US—when the answer to the question, “Where are you from?” automatically associates you with butt lifts, hair removal, and carnival—it’s refreshing to see us portrayed differently.  A little variety from the mysterious, overly sexualized, vain cook/cleaning lady is nice.

2) After living in the US for 17 years, and recently reconnecting with my 20-something cousins, I will have to disagree with Vanessa when she writes, “Ours is a nation obsessed by beauty and slenderness à la Gisele Bündchen.”

It’s not.  The truth is, if a skinny girl who…