An Open Thank You Letter to Xuxa

Brazilian flag reimagined with synonyms of “order” and “progress” (by B. Lorraine Smith)

Dear Xuxa,

This is a long overdue thank you letter — an idea I dreamed of years ago when I would watch you open all that mail on your TV show. You helped me learn Portuguese during my student exchange in Brazil in 1989, something I’ve always been grateful for. I now realize that you taught me much more than how to say a few words in a new language. In fact I think you showed me an enlightened way to come at…