I will say it again. This is such powerfully moving work.
Forbidden Brazil
a Year Living in Organized Crime
Why abandon comforts
in the United States and relocate to one of Brazil’s most dangerous favelas, notorious for its abject poverty and local gang factions?
It is amid the darkest corners of violent streets, where she finds the ultimate feeling of warmth, community, and passion.
In Forbidden Brazil, we follow Michelle’s journey as she develops a profound understanding of humanity, while living in the sociopolitical impact of cyclical poverty. Without any previous knowledge about her estranged father’s native country, we watch her navigate and understand a foreign world where choice is driven by access to opportunity.
In this vivid and emotionally evocative collection of short stories, poems, and vignettes, de Abreu recounts her experiences, and details how Brazil’s history of racial discrimination has led to untenable economic disparity.
Forbidden Brazil explores treading fearlessly outside of defined comfort zones and challenges its readers to question deeply held stereotypes that are nearly always left untested.
Meet Michelle
the full story (ish)
While coordinating with the United Nations in Europe and Southeast Asia, Michelle de Abreu has served in many capacities, including relief organizer for refugee victims of torture and trauma, advocate for single women and unaccompanied minors arriving to Greece, and facilitator for community wellness initiatives.
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Her work in strategy development and policy analysis for education, philanthropic foundations, and international organizations has been featured at numerous global institutions of higher education.
The multi-lingual author has lived in six countries and is founder of One Movement Studios, a mind-body wellness institution that offers resilience-informed programs of healing physical and (inter)personal trauma.
Drawing on her education in Global Studies, Governance, and professional training in Kinesiology and Somatic Trauma Therapy, Michelle dedicates herself to creating authentic dialogue which overcomes barriers of difference to illuminate the value of diversity.
