I’ve been following the debate in Brazil over the Belo Monte Dam. This will be the third largest dam in the world. I first read about Avatar’s director James  Cameron who supports the actions of the Amazon indigenous who demonstrated, sat in and petitioned the Brazilian government to plan other means of generating electrical power. All, to no avail it seems.   The power companies finally broke ground with little fanfare on June 1,2011.

As early as the 1980’s Sister Dorothy knew about the plans for this dam.  She foresaw, then, that the project would bring about relocation and the demise of at least 40,00 residents. Today the figure has been reduced to a mere, 25,000! No one can know the real number.

The dam will change the course of the Xingu River, flood plains and forest where many people live and work.  What is good for the country of Brazil and what is right for the people in the Amazon whose livelihoods are jeopardized and changed by the necessity to move?  Communities, villages, particularly those of indigenous will be wiped out.

Finally, I have found an article and video clip from Al Jazeera which explains what is happening in the North of Brazil. It pinpoints so well the social justice dilemma:  “must there be such a tradeoff of human rights for progress?” Surely there is another way. I welcome  your thoughts.