The People's Voice | Vos di Povu

Kakau · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 412

What are your thoughts on Arnaldo "Nardo" Lopes, 30, the guy who's on trial for plugging a knife in the chest of Bobby Mendes on a Dorchester street nearly 13 years ago? Media pundits claim this murder set off a frenzy of violence in the Cape Verde community of Boston for over ten years. Lopes claims he stabbed Bobby in self-defense. He was 17 years old back then. Was he really acting in self-defense or was did he maliciously plunge a knife in Mendes's chest? What do you think? Have you been following the trial?

By the way, did you notice that the accused had a remarkably calm and collected look in the picture below? Going by his demeanor, you wouldn't think that this guy spent the latter years of his teenagehood and all of twenties on the run. He must have had nightmares about that dreadful night ever since he fled Boston in 1995 yet you would not tell by the way he looks now....

Picture: Globe

salah Mateus · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 852

WHY FAILURE OF GOOD HUMAN HABITS WE ARE TAUGHT IN CHURCH?
WHAT HAS MADE US TO LOOSE SELF-RESPECT AND OUR GOOD SENSE OF CHARACTER AND DIGNITY BECOMES CORRUPTED?

WHAT EVER HAPPEN TO THE EXAMPLES OF HONOR AND DEVOTION TO WORK AND RESPECT TO EACH OTHER AND TO OUR PARENTS?

WHAT IDLENESS AND SOCIAL PARASITES HAVE CAUSED THIS MISERY?

WHAT HAPPEN TO THE LESSONS OF MORALITY?

NO COMMENT,NO COMMENT. ABOUT THE ACTION THAT TOOK PLACE THAT NIGHT OR DAY. LIVES WERE TAKEN NEEDLESSLY.

WHY? WHY?

WHAT IS WRONG IN A SYSTEM THAT BRINGS ABOUT SUCH ACTION?

LET US GET BEHIND THE DEVILMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY AND SOME OF OUR HOMES & SCHOOLS AND ENVIRONMENT THAT HAS CAUSED THIS AFFECT.

I FEEL SORRY FOR ALL THE FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY. Sad

WE CAN'T JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER WE SAY HERE IN THE USA.

STILL WATERS RUN DEEP.

WHAT PRECIPITATED TO CAUSE THIS EVIL ACTION OF VIOLENCE.

WE ALL WENT TO THE CHURCH AS KIDS TOGETHER.
WHAT WENT WRONG?

WHAT IS THE REAL TRUTH OF WHAT IS IN OUR COMMUMITIES IN ALL THE CITIES CLEAR ACROSS THE USA.

WHAT HAS FAILED OUR PEOPLE OUR YOUTH THAT IS ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN THE USA AND FOR THAT MATTER THE WORLD. IT IS GLOBAL.

KU FEI NAH DEUS IT WILL END FOR ALL OF THIS IS IN MY MIND IS THE END OF TIME. I DID NOT SAY THAT THE WORLD OR THE PLANET EARTH.

BUT A TIME. WHAT TIME IS IT BROTHER?

THE FALL OF AMERICA
BY ELIJAH MUHAMMAD (CONSPIRACY?)

I PRAY. WE KNOW THAT THE EVIL EMPIRE IS ROCKING. THE DEVIL IS DOOMED. THERE IS A CHANGE FROM OUR WICKED WAYS.

AMILCAR CABRAL SAID: WE HAVE TO COMBAT THOSE FORCES OF EVIL.
SHOOT NOT THE SHADOW OF WHAT IS THE PROBLEM.
SHOOT THE REAL BANDIT NOT WITH A KNIFE OR A GUN AGAIST EACH OTHER BUT THE REAL BANDIT THE CULPRITS WHO CAUSE OUR HOUSE TO FALL VICTIMS TO THE EVILS OF A SOCIETY.
WE MUST FIRST FIGHT THE WEAKNESS FROM WITHIN.

THE MOTHER'S OF THOSE CHILDREN I FEEL YOUR PAIN.
UN TAR RAZZA AND I KINOW THAT DEUS WILL HELP US THROUGH ALL OF THIS. I WISH WE WOULD NOT OPEN OLD WOUNDS AS A DEBATE ON THIS FORUM. IT IS BEING DEALT WITH BY THE MOTHER,AND CRIST JESUS IS HER SAVING GRACE.

THOSE IN BOSTON I PRAY YOU WILL GO AND VISIT THE UNITED HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL PEOPLE AND LET THEM HELP IN THE HEALING PROCESS AND HOW JESUS WILL HELP US. THE PASTOR AND THE NEW BISHOP BAILEY WILL BRING THE GRACE OF DEUS AND HIS SPIRIT TO OVERCOME.

IT IS SAD Crying or Very sad

VERY SAD

NHO DEUS JU DAUN NU.

BOA PAS!

ESPIRITO SANTO. SUPERIOR ASTRAL.

DEUS KU NOS.

MANU SALAH

Kakau · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 412

CV2k wrote:

Talking about the coverage of this issues by The Globe It's ridiculous and irresponsible journalistic behavior by The Boston Globe to say that there was a civil war in the Cape Verdean community:

September 23, 2008:
Lopes describes 1995 slaying that sparked violence in Boston's Cape Verdean community
"killing that Boston law enforcement officials say launched a civil war inside the city’s Cape Verdean community that has claimed dozens of victims." (

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)

September 19, 2008:
Trial begins in slaying that sparked Cape Verdean violence
"The killing of Bobby Mendes during a brawl on Dorchester Street in October 1995 touched off a civil war in Boston’s Cape Verdean community, unleashing a wave of violence that has included two dozen slayings and some 70 shootings." (

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l)

Do these reporters have a notion about what a civil war is? Jesus Christ! Twisted Evil

Take a break and speak with common sense. It's this abuse language by The Boston Globe and Herald reporters towards Cape Verdeans that tick me off. They are so bias and ill intended when they talk about violence in our community. No wonder a large mass of people outside our circle thinks that Cape Verdeans in general are violent people and criminals . Sad

He has admited to have plunged a knife in Bobby Mendes heart. That is not in dispute. The question is, did he do it in self defense or did he do it with the intent to kill? That's the definition of second degree murder. If you were one of the jurors, would you consider his claim of self-defense at all?

CV2k · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 341

Talking about the coverage of this issues by The Globe, it's ridiculous and irresponsible journalistic behavior by The Boston Globe to say that there was a civil war in the Cape Verdean community:

September 23, 2008:
Lopes describes 1995 slaying that sparked violence in Boston's Cape Verdean community
"killing that Boston law enforcement officials say launched a civil war inside the city’s Cape Verdean community that has claimed dozens of victims." (

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)

September 19, 2008:
Trial begins in slaying that sparked Cape Verdean violence
"The killing of Bobby Mendes during a brawl on Dorchester Street in October 1995 touched off a civil war in Boston’s Cape Verdean community, unleashing a wave of violence that has included two dozen slayings and some 70 shootings." (

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l)

Do these reporters have a notion about what a civil war is? Jesus Christ! Twisted Evil

Take a break and speak with common sense. It's this abuse language by The Boston Globe and Herald reporters towards Cape Verdeans that tick me off. They are so bias and ill intended when they talk about violence in our community. No wonder a large mass of people outside our circle thinks that Cape Verdeans in general are violent people and criminals . Sad

_________________
"All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Kakau · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 412

You haven't answered my question. I'll ask you again. If you were one of the jurors in this case, would you consider acquiting Lopes based on a self-defense argument? As a matter of fact, if this were a Judge trial, and you were the presiding judge and you believed his claim that he acted in self defense, would you then convict him of a lesser charge, say manslaughter rather than second degree murder? Just imagine this two scenarios and give me a straight shooter's answer.

CV2k · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 341

It's a tough call. If his story is true, the self defense argument will affect how jurors feel about what he did. I would want to hear more from both the defense and the prosecution to make a rational and fair decision.

However, talking about the US law, what's the verdict when one kills in self defense? What's the historical precedence?

_________________
"All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Kakau · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 412

CV2k wrote:

It's a tough call. If his story is true, the self defense argument will affect how jurors feel about what he did. I would want to hear more from both the defense and the prosecution to make a rational and fair decision.

However, talking about the US law, what's the verdict when one kills in self defense? What's the historical precedence?

If you kill in self-defense, it's called a justifiable homicide. I'm not exactly sure if there is a mandatory prison time for justifiable homicide, but if there is, it's probably very little. But I don't think that's the case with "Nardo" Lopes. I would say he's more or less guilty of manslaughter. He most certainly feared for his life when bobby mendes lunged at him. You and I would have too if we were in his position. But at the same time he had that knife hidden. So, If I were the presiding judge in his case, assuming that it was a Judge only trial, I would probably convict him of manslaughter, not second degree murder. My decision would factor in the environment he grew up in which certainly compelled him to carry a weapon for "protection".

See, it was hard then, it's still hard now for a youth growing up in the "inner cities". They feel they have to walk around "protected", meaning armed. They arm themselves by way of a knife. Or a gun in the extreme cases. Given these factors, I would convict him of first degree manslaughter which carries about twenty to twenty-five years of prison time.

We'll see in the next few days what the jurors in his case will decide.

What would you do?

CV2k · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 341

I think the jurors can answer that question better than me. I'm curious to see what kind of veredict they will come up with.

In the meanwhile, here is more developments from yesterday's court hearings:

Jury deliberates charge in slaying that sparked Cape Verdean
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September 24, 2008

(...)
This afternoon, a Suffolk Superior Court jury began deliberating the fate of Arnaldo "Nardo" Lopes, the accused who acknowledged on the witness stand that he plunged a knife into Mendes's chest that evening in October 1995. Lopes testified during the four-day trial that he acted in self defense as Mendes and two of his cousins attacked him with pieces of metal and wood.

The prosecution disputed Lopes's version of events, alleging that the 17-year-old was angry after being teased about a pending firearm charge.

"The older kids were laughing at him,” prosecutor Dennis Collins told the jury today during his closing argument, according to the Suffolk District Attorney's office.

Prosecutors said that an argument on Wendover Street escalated to a fistfight and Lopes pulled a knife. Mendes allegedly taunted Lopes, and he responded.

“When the defendant went at Bobby with the knife," Collins said, "he was committing .”
Lopes, now 30 years old, is facing a second-degree charge, which carries a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years. The jury could also convict him of the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.

Lopes fled Boston after the slaying and was captured by police in 2007 outside Baltimore. When he testified on Tuesday, Lopes insisted that prosecution witnesses were wrong. He told the jury he was riding his bike on Wendover Street when Mendes's relative, Larry Andrade, began arguing with him and knocked him to the ground. Andrade has since been ed in one of an estimated 24 s authorities have attributed to fallout from Mendes's .

Lopes said that Mendes was the aggressor and not the peacemaker prosecution witnesses have described.

"I'm going to (expletive) him up,"' Lopes quoted Mendes as shouting after he was stabbed.

After the stabbing, Lopes said that he was chased from the scene. His family's home was surrounded by Mendes's relatives, he said, so he called 911 and told police he had acted in self-defense.

"My initial plan was to turn myself in," he said. "But the time never really felt right."

_________________
"All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality." - Martin Luther King Jr.

salah Mateus · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 852

With love & Kindness for a better understanding with a deeper understanding.
I am not a Judge nor do I presume to know all of what was that caused
this horrific crime. MAYBE i AM A JUDGE AND i DON'T KNOW IT.

It seems we are in a revolving door of despair.

Who did what to whom first? The real question in my mind is why?

What were the circumstances that created this drama of violence and death. What was and what is the many probabilities or
improbabilities of events that happen days before that moment
of confrontation.

All of this is being discussed after the events,like talking about the horse
after it is out of the barn but why did the horse get loose.
What was not being done to maintain a stability of sanity?

Is there guilt on both sides?

What hidden events that we do not know about?

What causes such fear that a person, a civilian has the need to carry a gun or a knife? What evil or sinful or wickedness brings such discomfort or repulsion that causes an offensive act.
What is so pernicious in Boston and all of our cities that cause violent death. and for that matter world over?

We can't bring back Bobby or his Brother and all others; with after the
fact of MURDER AND CRIME. As I have said up above.

What do we do now?

Some will say an Eye for an Eye a Tooth for a Tooth ?

Personally I am in deep thought and deep prayer.

I am sure he who is living is also in deep thought and prayer.

Most likely asking the question in the quiet of his cell in the quiet of his mind. Why me Lord? Why did I carry that knife? The worst that could have happen; some one would have had a black eye but no one would be dead. It is a Black eye on society for all the reasons you can think of.

After the fact;Monday morning quarter back will not protect or change what in a moment action of anger brought about death by killing.

I am sad and crying for a world gone wild for such permiscuous indiscriminate and inrregular behavior by young men & woman,
that never had such a thought in there mind when they were much younger playing soccer as children or at a social function when they were just kids,little girls playing with dolls. Crying or Very sad

This is not restricted to any one class or nationality of people.

Boston Globe and the media and some Ministers have made it a Caboverdean dilemma. But we know that evil lurks all over Boston,Roxbury,and in all the cities in the USA. Why? What is the overall
cause of Crime and murder?

I have known Boston,Roxbury,Sugar Hill,Mass & Columbus Ave,Tremont
to Blue Hill Ave,Washington St. since 1945.

At a time when there were but a few Caboverdianos and back then they lived down on Dover Street area.
Big crime was mostly in South Boston,East Boston in great numbers also in the Berry mostly petty thieves and hustlers working for the crime boss from South & East Boston.

Caboverdianos are the recent immigrants on the block and they have; that is some very few have become succumb by the appeal of crime as the way to get rich quick in the USA. It is the american way the desire to be superior in strength or force.(Gangster Mentality)

The idea that the streets were paved with gold.
And greed the disruptive force that some have yield too for the buck$$$$. Which the end results are the wages of sin (as death) by the effects of destructive forces of evil. (The Golden Calf)

THE TABLETS; WITH THE LAW, WAS BROKEN?

It seems to many of us that something was missing in our teachings in our
Catechism and in our so-called sacraments for our salvation. The church as we know it has failed.

The blame is heaped on the parents but the blame is not the parents alone. It became difficult to be obedient to the Priest and the men of the cloth when so much hanky panky was going on in the back halls of the churches (VESTIBULE) with so many theologians who were less then godly
with our children and our woman under the cover of darkness.

But vengeance is mine saith the Lord.

Prepare slaughter on the children for the iniquities of their fathers..

Some place along the way we dropped the ball,that is all of us that is why we need to all repent and be remorseful for our sins. I know I am and I can speak only for myself. Lord God (Deus Almighty have Mercy on me)
He or She who be without sin cast the first stone.

THE AUTHORITIES IN CIVIL SOCIETY HAVE ALSO FAILED.

THE EXCERSISE OF AUTHORITY IS MEASURED MORALLY IN TERMS OF ITS DIVINE ORIGIN.

THERE ARE CERTAIN DUTIES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN KEPT. FOR THAT REASON WE SUFFER BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT KEPT TO THE LAW OF JESUS IN TRUTH.I COME NOT TO CHANGE THE LAW BUT TO FULFILL IT!

BUT WE ONLY GIVE LIP SERVICE. WE HAVE NOT LIVED BY THE TRUE WORD OF CHRIST JESUS..
SIN IS IN THE CHURCH,SO HOW THEREFORE CAN WE EXPECT FOR THE PEOPLE TO FOLLOW IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND RESPONSIBILITY.

IT IS THE REASON EMMANUEL (ISA)(JESUS)(YASHUA) WENT INTO THE TEMPLE AND BEAT THE MONEY CHANGERS AND TURN OVER THE TABLES.

BECAUSE OF THE CORRUPTION AND THE CRIME AGAINST CHRIST.

SURLEY DEUS ALLAH IS OFT RETURNING TO MERCY AND FORGIVNESS.

THE BENEFICIENT THE MOST MERCIFUL.

LORD HEAR MY PRAYER.

OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN!!!!
IN JESUS NAME.
GRACA de DEUS.

Manu Sallah Omo-Wali Al- Khidhr de Azijah.

CV2k · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 341

Kakau wrote:

... But I don't think that's the case with "Nardo" Lopes. I would say he's more or less guilty of manslaughter. He most certainly feared for his life when Bobby Mendes lunged at him. You and I would have too if we were in his position. But at the same time he had that knife hidden. So, If I were the presiding judge in his case, assuming that it was a Judge only trial, I would probably convict him of manslaughter, not second degree murder. My decision would factor in the environment he grew up in which certainly compelled him to carry a weapon for "protection".

... Given these factors, I would convict him of first degree manslaughter which carries about twenty to twenty-five years of prison time.

Kakau,

I guess you were right. You would do well in criminal law. The jury just convicted him of voluntary manslaughter with a possibility of 20 years of imprisonment.

For clarification, 'culpable homicide or manslaughter is unpremeditated criminal homicide. A murder case is considered voluntary manslaughter if the killer had intent but was provoked or had diminished capacity.' (http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Murder%23Year-and-a-day-rule )

You can read more at here:

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_________________
"All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Kakau · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 412

Here's my next prediction: the judge will sentence him to the maximum, 20 years in prison, with the possibility of parole after twelve years. Let's see if my prediction proves right.

CV2k · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 341

Kakau, this time you were wrong. I just heard on the radio that Arnado was sentenced to 8 to 12 years of jail time. Why do you think he got such a light sentence?

The Globe article below gives more details about today's developments.

Mother forgives son's killer in Boston courtroom
September 26, 2008 11:06 AM
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The mother of a Dorchester man whose 1995 stabbing death set of a civil war inside Boston's Cape Verdean community today forgave her son's killer as he was being sentenced in Suffolk Superior Court.

The killer, Arnaldo (Nardo) Lopes, was convicted of manslaughter on Thursday, a verdict that came nearly 13 years after he fled Boston and eventually started a new life under an alias outside Baltimore where he married a woman, brought a house and lived with a dog and several cats. He was tracked down by Boston police in 2007.

In court today, Isaura Mendes delivered a victim impact statement just before Superior Court Judge Linda Giles imposed her sentence. Mendes, who lost another son to murder, has become an anti-violence activist since the death of her oldest son, Bobby Mendes.

Mendes said she knew Lopes, whom she called Nardu, since he was a child."I wish you luck, Nardu. I have asked God to protect you in jail,'' she said in court. "I forgive you for everything you've done. I have to forgive him so I can forgive myself because God forgives every day of our lives.''

Mendes added, "we can't continue to have revenge and to go out there and kill each other.''

Lopes, who is now 30, took the stand and testified that he was attacked by relatives of Mendes with pieces of wood and that Mendes rushed him with what he thought was a piece of metal, but was in fact a bicycle. Terrified, he said, he lashed out once with a folding knife.

In court today, Lopes did not speak but listened to Isaura Mendes, her daughter and her surviving son, talk about Mendes, who was 23 years old when the confrontation took place on Wendover street in Dorchester. Prosecution witnesses testified that Lopes had been falsely accusing Mendes' relatives of "snitching" to police.

Mendes' death triggered a civil war inside Boston's Cape Verdean community that Boston law enforcement officials estimate has led to some two dozen murders and dozens of non-fatal shootings in the years since.

"It's been 13 years of uncertainty, not knowing what was coming at my family,'' said Pompilio (Steve) Mendes in court. "Only God knows what we have endured.''

Suffolk Assistant District Attorney Dennis Collins asked for a 14 to 16 year sentence, saying Lopes had no remorse for his actions and that his decision to avoid prosecution weakened the government's case against him when it finally went to trial.

Lopes' attorney, Kevin J. Reddington, called for a three to five year sentence saying that Mendes was beloved by his family but was a man with a violent temper who was the aggressor at the time he was stabbed. He also said Lopes' should be credited for his exemplary life on the run.

Giles said both recommendations were too extreme. She ordered Lopes to serve eight to 12 years, with credit for 518 days he has been jailed awaiting trial.

"It is my heartfelt desire that in this case, justice may have been delayed, but is not denied to either side,'' Giles said from the bench.

Lopes' mother, Maria, and other relatives were in court, but declined to talk after sentencing.

_________________
"All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality." - Martin Luther King Jr.

CV2k · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 341

The Boston Globe wrote:

The mother of a Dorchester man whose 1995 stabbing death set of a civil war inside Boston's Cape Verdean community today forgave her son's killer as he was being sentenced in Suffolk Superior Court.

The killer, Arnaldo (Nardo) Lopes ... married a woman, brought a house and lived with a dog and several cats. (...)

What's up with 'living several cats'? I don't get that.

_________________
"All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Kakau · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 412

CV2k wrote:

Kakau, this time you were wrong. I just heard on the radio that Arnado was sentenced to 8 to 12 years of jail time. Why do you think he got such a light sentence?

The presiding Judge must have been influenced somehow by the defense attorney's argument that "Nardo" acted in self-defense when he stabbed the late Bobby Mendes in the chest. That might explain the "light" sentence. Another factor that may explain the sentence is Lopes' "productive" life while on the run.

If you were the presiding Judge, would you have sentenced Lopes to the maximum?

cvflor · Joined: 26 Sep 2008 Posts: 2

It's crazy how it took 13 years to finally solve a murder case when many people knew where he was hiding. All I have to say is that the criminal system in Boston sucks... and they wonder why people are taking s**t into their own hands.

Justice has finally been served but if you really think about it... it really hasn't. A mother will never be able to get her son back. It was a privilege to meet this woman. She is a very strong woman who has overcome a lot of pain and suffering.

Do I think Nardo did it in self defense? I honestly don't think so but I wasn't there when it all happened. I think the only people who actually know what happened were the people who were there that night. Do I think he feels remorse for what happened? I honestly don't think so because if he did he wouldn't have waited to turn himself in. I honestly think that if he wasn't caught he would of never turned himself in.

It's crazy how so many people can actually kill someone and run away without getting caught. There are so many people on the run in CV that it's crazy. Their just living their life like nothing happened.

One case down and hopefully many more that will be solved. Hopefully this will also put a stop to the stupid s**t happening in Boston. Hopefully it will put a stop to retaliation that's occurring and innocent lives being taken.

I hope the cops will open up their eyes and see that the actually people starting this s** are right under their nose. Confused

CV2k · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 341

Kakau wrote:

... If you were the presiding Judge, would you have sentenced Lopes to the maximum?

This is a very hot issue and it still causes some incendiary reactions on people close to the parts involved. Although, I would like to share my opinion on the sentencing, for the interest of The Greater Good, I will plead the fifth.

_________________
"All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality." - Martin Luther King Jr.

CV2k · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 341

cvflor wrote:

It's crazy how it took 13 years to finally solve a murder case when many people knew where he was hiding. (...)

Flor, give me the permission to play the devil's advocate for a second:
How do you know that so 'many people knew where he was hiding?' When did you figured that out?

_________________
"All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality." - Martin Luther King Jr.

salah Mateus · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 852

WELL YOU HAVE COME FULL CIRCLE WITH U.S. JUSTICE SYSTEM.

ESPECIALLY WHEN IT DEALS WITH THE SO-CALLED MINORITIES.

THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN ON THE RUN FOR MORE THEN 13 YEARS. LIKE WHITEY BULGER FROM BOSTON'S IRISH MAFIA,AND MANY OTHERS.

THE NEWS IS NOT ANY DIFFERENT IT IS BIG NEWS FOR A SMALL CV COMMUNITY BUT IT HAS BEEN THAT WAY FOREVER. ASK ANY ONE THAT IS MY AGE AND WAS BORN HERE WE HAVE LIVED WITH THIS ONE SIDED INJUSTICE ALL OF OUR LIVES.

I KNEW HE WAS IN Ga. SOME FRIENDS WERE TALKING ABOUT IT HE EVEN WAS ENJOYING HIMSELF. OTHER CV'S KNEW BUT AS IT IS SAID LOOSE LIPS SINKS SHIPS.

THE SPOT LIGHT IS ON THE CV COMMUNITY,BUT IT WAS THAT WAY FOR THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY LONG BEFORE IMMIGRANTS BECAME THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK.

CABOVERDIANOS HAVE ATTRACTED THE NEWS MEDIA SEEN INDEPENDENCE AND GETTING MONIES FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND GETTING GRANTS FOR PROGRAMS IN CV COMMUNITIES. THIS HAS CAUSED MUCH ANIMOSITY AND ANNOYANCE WITH OTHER GROUPS.
TAKING GRANT MONIES AWAY FROM THOSE WHO HAD A MONOPLY ON THE SUPPLY OF STATE AND FEDERAL MONIES.

I KNEW ABOUT THAT BACK IN 1974 BEFORE CV'S WERE UNDERSTANDING THAT GAME.
WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH SOME FOLK WHO WERE IN THE MASS BLACK CAUCUS. WHO SAW CV'S COMING.
THEY HAD CONTROL.

THAT IS ALL I WILL SAY ON THE MATTER BUT THINK ABOUT IT.

ONE GROUP FIGHTING ANOTHER FOR THE MONEY.

I HAVE BEEN AROUND THE BLOCK,AND THE CV'S OF MY GENERATION KNOW THAT GAME ALL TO WELL. BUT MANY OF MY GENERATION WAS PUSHED OUT OF OR LEFT OUT OF THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY GAME.

PERHAPS AS IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED WE THE CV'S THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE USA FROM THE SECOND & 3RD GENERATION BECAME ASSIMILATED INTO THE WAYS OF THE UNITES STATES AND WAS PROGRAMMED INTO WHAT WAS THE BIGGER POPULATION WHICH WAS COLORED,NEGRO,BLACK AN TODAY AFRICAN AMERICA LOST SOMETHING. IT HAPPENS.

SO KNOW MANY OF US ARE TRYING TO RETURN TO THE SOURCE.

LIFE SURE HAS ITS TWIST AND WINDING ROADS. Confused

.

WE ARE REACHING FOR YOU AND YOU ARE REACHING FOR US.

WE ARE BOTH LOOKING FOR SALVATION WE WANT TO BE PROTECTED FROM HARM.

A STRANGE LAND WE HAVE BEEN IN.

LOST BUT NOW FOUND.

IT IS WRITTEN BELIEVE IT OR NOT.

BE IT KNOWN TO YOU ALL.

"THIS IS THE STONE WHICH WAS SET AT NOUGHT OF YOU BULDERS,
WHICH IS BECOME THE HEAD OF THE CORNER.
NEITHER IS THERE SALVATION IN ANY OTHER: FOR THERE IS NONE OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN,WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED. NOW WHEN THEY SAW THE BOLDNESS OF PETER AND JOHN AND
PERCEIVED THAT THEY WERE UNLEARNED AND IGNORANT MEN, THEY
MARVELLED, AND THEY TOOK KNOWLEDGE OF THEM,THAT THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS." ACTS4 VERSE 11-13 READ ON.

HOW WHEN WE WOULD GO TO MEETING IT WAS ALL DONE IN A LANGUAGE WE DID NOT UNDERSTAND,OR IT WAS DONE BEHIND CLOSE DOORS. THAT IS THE WAY THE COOKIE CRUMBLES.

SO TODAY WE ARE PAYING THE PRICE FOR OUR INVOLVEMENT IN CRIME
AND INIQUITOUS POSTURE. THATS LIFE.

WHY DID WE INCUR THE WRATH OF A CERTAIN REV. A MAN OF THE CLOTH. WHO DID NOT HAVE MUCH TO SAY GOOD ABOUT CV'S.

PERHAPS SOME OF YOU DON'T THINK SO AND YOU THINK I AM WRONG.

SO BE IT.

BUT I LIVED IN THE BERRY SINCE 1945 I KNEW BOSTON VERY WELL. I SOLD THE BOSTON RECORD ON EVERY STREET CORNER FROM MASS AVE & COLUMBUS TO DUDLEY STATION WHEN YOU COULD COUNT CAPEVERDEAN ON BOTHE HANDS. FROM HI HAT TO SAVOY. FROM THE CHICKEN SHACK TO THE PIONEER CLUB FROM DOVER STREET TO BLUE HILL AVE,AND ALL IN BETWEEN. UHMMMM. Cool

I JUST HOPE THAT AS ONE CV MAN TOLD ME FROM CABO VERDE.

I HOPE WE GET WISER.

THAT IS THE PRICE WE PAY TO BE ON TOP OF THE GAME.

PERHAPS WE NEED TO START EARLY CHILDHOOD REALITY CHECK IN OUR HOUSES OF WORSHIP WITH SOME REAL DISCIPLINE AND NOT THE PIE IN THE SKY. TEACH OUR YOUNG MEN AND WOMAN THE
CORRECTNESS IN A CIVILIZATION CLASS OF CULTURAL GOOD CHARACTER AND BEHAVIOR. MAYBE THERE IS SOMETHING MISSING AND WE NEED TO ADDRESS IT.

IT SEEMS THAT THE USA HAS A CHARACTER OF DAIBOLISM THAT TAKES OUR CHILDREN AWAY FROM AN EARLY AGE IS THERE SOMETHING WE CAN DO ABOUT THAT? LET US REMEMBER ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD. CHILDREN NEED TO BE SAVED FROM THE EVIL CHARACTER OF BAD CONDUCT.
HOW DO WE DO THAT?

IT IS A BIG PROBLEM.

MOST OF OUR CHILDREN ARE DOING WELL; IT IS THE FEW WHO WE NEED TO RE-EDUCATE. WE NEED A SCHOOL THAT TEACHES PARENTS HOW TO BE PARENTS. WHY ARE THERE SO MANY DIVORCES?
TO MANY HAVING CHILDREN OUT OF WED LOCK; CHILDREN HAVING CHILDREN.

WE MUST BIND OUR SELVES TOGETHER IN THE UNITY FOR A BETTER CV IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE SEE IT, IN SIGHT AND WE ARE GETTING BETTER AT IT. WE WILL OVERCOME THE NEGATIVES.

REMEMBER THAT FOR EVERY CV THAT FALLS THRU THE CRACKS THERE ARE MANY MORE THAT ARE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND MAKES US PROUD TO BE CV'S.

THE MEDIA LIKE TO PLAY UP ON THE NEGATIVES BECAUSE IT SELLS PAPERS.

WE HAVE MANY GOOD HEROES IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WE NEED TO RAISE THEM UP SO THAT OUR CHILDREN WILL HAVE THE BEST ROLE MODELS.
THIS IS A NEW DAY; LET US MOVE FORWARD.
DON'T LOOK BACK SOMETHING MIGHT BE GAINNING ON YOU.

THERE IS A CHANGE COMING.LOVE IS IN THE AIR.
YOU,YES YOU ARE THE VERY BEST.

"AND WITH GREAT POWER GAVE THE APOSTLE WITNESS OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD JESUS;AND GREAT GRACE WAS UPON THEM ALL"

THEN PETER AND THE OTHER APOSTLES ANSWERED AND SAID,WE OUGHT TO OBEY DEUS RATHER THAN MEN.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS.

Manu Salah

cvflor · Joined: 26 Sep 2008 Posts: 2

How do I know that the Cape Verdean Community knew where he was? I'm not saying the whole community knew but a lot of people did know. I know this for a fact because Cape Verdeans love to talk. His boys and family defenitely knew and so did the Mendes family and Bobby's boys. But one thing that we are known for is not snitching out to the cops. Why should we be the ones doing their job....

Their are a lot of unsolved cases in Boston and Brockton and you always hear people talking about someone thats on the run. I was just in CV and the amount of people on the run is crazy...We all know someone that took someones live and is hiding out. Would we snitch them out. I doubt it because it's not our place. If it was my place than I would be a detective and solving a lot of cases...

Its crazy how we won't snitch out these individuals but instead take action into our own hands and start a fued. The one thing I don't understand is if you knew who shot your family and knew where they were hiding out wouldn't you say something. Just so you can get justice for your family member. I know about retaliation and being afraid that their boys might come after you but you never know their boys probably would be locked right along with the individual....Life is just crazy and glad i'm not in this type of situation because if I was a lot of people would be going down just for starting shit....