Carta de H. Becker sobre o depoimento autobiográfico (link abaixo) de Gilberto Velho na Vibrant - Virtual Brazilian Anthropology:
"Gilberto,
I just read through the piece you sent me from Vibrant, which is a journal I didn't know. You can imagine, I know, how interesting it was to read it, to get that retrospective sweep of your intellectual career.
You certainly have so much to be proud of, to be satisfied because of. Very few people have the opportunity to be so influential on the scientific production of an entire country the way you have had. And I'm glad to be able to say that you used that opportunity in the best possible way, both in your own research and writing and, what may in the long run be (as we all have to admit if we are honest) more important, in training people to carry on that work, to do what we can never do by ourselves. I suppose it can't be true that you shaped all of Brazilian anthropology, but it's hard not to feel that way. Bravissimo!
Of course, it's very touching to see your kind words about my influence, such as it was, on your own work. It's something I feel very good about it, and I thank you for all those kind words.
I'm sure you will continue to be active. Why stop? It's too much fun!
Have a wonderful year and many wonderful years beyond this one,
Abraços,
Howie"
"Gilberto,
I just read through the piece you sent me from Vibrant, which is a journal I didn't know. You can imagine, I know, how interesting it was to read it, to get that retrospective sweep of your intellectual career.
You certainly have so much to be proud of, to be satisfied because of. Very few people have the opportunity to be so influential on the scientific production of an entire country the way you have had. And I'm glad to be able to say that you used that opportunity in the best possible way, both in your own research and writing and, what may in the long run be (as we all have to admit if we are honest) more important, in training people to carry on that work, to do what we can never do by ourselves. I suppose it can't be true that you shaped all of Brazilian anthropology, but it's hard not to feel that way. Bravissimo!
Of course, it's very touching to see your kind words about my influence, such as it was, on your own work. It's something I feel very good about it, and I thank you for all those kind words.
I'm sure you will continue to be active. Why stop? It's too much fun!
Have a wonderful year and many wonderful years beyond this one,
Abraços,
Howie"
