it about your roots, not the color of you skin!

[quote="Anonymous"]

Anonym. wrote:

What if you are a "white" looking Cape Verdean with blue eyes like some of us from Fogo and Brava ? Should you be called black or African ?[/quote My Name is Manu Sallah Omowale Mateus Originally we were from the continent of Africa as it is so-called. My roots go deeper then the Boa Boa tree. Members of my family came here thousands years ago.Later a few centuries back around 14 or 15 century we were brought to the shores on the South East Coast. Some know this as the Atlantic Slave Trade. In order to understand the depth of all this I should tell you that my family tree is in Ethiopia The Ancient Cushite Empire. To make a long story short we gave birth to the world. Genesis of human life sprang from the bowels of the big bang of our ball;meaning a planetary or celestial body. I am a Caboverdean born in the USA. My mother tongue is Creolu or if you will Kree-olu. The ancient sage called the archipelago AZIJAH. So that we might all be in the same page in the same book. To understand the system of color code and for what reason it was done. All you have to do is read the definitions by Webster's American College Dictionary. Classification of racism by some Caucaus Europeans. The color code system is wrong and inaccurate. The usage is a game and it looks like some folk have fallen for it. Shame on you. For our many students know this; if you are African in all its variables colors or comlexsion, it will not describe who you are. All Africans are not the same all Europeans are not the same all Asians are not the same etc. You must read (Salah Mateus) on FORCV.com. The Constitution Of The Republic Of Cabo Verde states Title II article 10 #7 "The State Of Cabo Verde shall be engaged in the effort the African identity,unity and integration and in the strengthening of acts of cooperation for the development,democracy,progress and well-being of peoples,for the respect of Human Rights,peace and justice." Every country in Africa has a name by which the people are known and it breaks down into ethnic groups which some call tribes. Be African,Be European or Asian etc. It is your tribe that counts not your color,but if your stuck on that racist philosophy perhaps we can help you to see the light of day from the darkness your in. In Cabo Verde we are men and woman take your choice of hue and we hope you are happy. " If it is wrong we will make it right and if it is not right we will fix it" Chern'o Manu Sallah[/b]

Cabo Verde or Azijah.

First the location of those Islands are off the West coast of Africa.

History depends on who is telling the story.

Africans knew that those Islands were there as I have said before long before Europe knew wood could float and before they knew about fire.

what we fail to understand folk from West Africa and East Africa were sailing the ocean blue long before any other human being. Remember that the birth of man was on the continent so-called Africa.

History has changed in the last 6000 years with the advent of the caucasion man and his begining of exploration.

The many African empires such as the Mali Empire,Songay Empire,Ghana Empire,The Nubian Empire,Tekuloor Empire when we were known as King and Queens or Mansa just to name a few.

Long before we became Islamized by the so-called Arabs,we already had different religious belief or we were more of the animism mind set in the phenomena of nature and spirits.

We the people of what is been called Africa and it has been the accepted term for the last 600 years or more. At one point in history it was all called Ethiopia or Kush,or Egypt (Misra) or Sudan.

We lost and fell to others who came in and took advanratge of our kindness and laid back easy living call it what you will.

People of that continent were known by the name of their tribe or clan.

When Europe became a power of land and sea and took power with gun powder and trickery and deciet; Africa fell into ruins and despair and making war against each other in the conspiracy of the Europeans.

Cabo Verde became a place for Europeans as a staging area to over come Africa mostly by Portugal, and others but it was Portugal who was victorius in their quest for domination along with France,Spain,England,Dutch.

Miscegenation process with woman of Africa was a simple task for the slave master. Cabo verde was not unique in all of this but on the West coast Africa on the Atlantic it was a mischievous behavior of sex and lust an act of misconduct to say the least about the beast of Europe at that time.

Cabo Verde Islands from Slavery to modern times.

A new breed of people born out of that deliberate violation of abusive and improper behavior with African woman long before the so-called Americas were discovered by the European. Within the confines of all that what tribe were you from what ethnic group.

Much has been written on the subject but a lot has been left out as Amilcar Cabral and Chiek Anta Diop have said Cabo verde was removed from history. We can say that Cabo Verde or Kabu Verdi was the funnel and the tunnel not only in the Atlantic Slave trade to the Americas both North and South also too the Islands in the Antilles of the caribbean seas but also back into the place we call Africa today as a mulato,mestzo or as a Portuguses depending on the assimilation process of education and full acceptance into christianty (Roman Catholic Church)
the ultimate power and rule of that day and time. To be known as a civilized person was to speak Portuguese and to be Roman Catholic.

To say we are African is to say we are from the origin of that continent,but we know that will not suffice because saying we are Africans,or Europeans,or Asian or Americans does not tell any one who you really are in terms of your national identity. Therefore we must name the country within that continent,such as Mali,Maritania,Guinea Bissau,Gambia,Senegal,Morocco,Libya,Liberia,Angola,Cabo Verde and so on.

Take America;we have South America and Noth America but there are so many different ethnic groups and different ethos.
What makes us the same we are all human beings.

This is true about every continent and country, what is different is pigmentation,texture of hair,language,culture,fat,skinny,tall,short,dark complexsion.light complexsion;some people want to say White people and Black people. Are all light skin people white and are all dark skin people black? Are all Europeans white and are all Africans black?

What about the rest of the world population that are brown or those that have inbetween complexsion like people from china.

What about the idea that all colors come from darkness (Black) if that is true then that would mean light skin or white people are the extream opposite ofthe absent of pigmentation that makes them pale or pinkish or in which folk say is white. hmmm is that right?

It all sounds kind of confusing. The other question I will ask what is the idea behind classifying people by color and whose idea was that and for what purpose?

Could it be that racism has some thing to do with it all?
Black or White?
The fallacy of one being superior and the other inferior.Hmmm.

Is that why folk are so caught up into this madness, obsession of the color code system perpetrated by racist who play this mind game that my color is better then yours;so today some folk want you to say you are black or white. How long will this ignorance continue?

Don't we remember a great African American who said: " judge not a man by the color of his skin but by the content of his character"
Dr.Martin Luther King.

If you are American,are you from Cuba,Jamaica,Canada, Brasil,Puerto Rico,Venezuela,Boliva,Peru,Guyana,Honduras,Mexico or the United States
etc etc for all of that is the continent of America.
Saying one is American does not qualify for accurate definition of one identity. Breaking it down by color does not work unless a person is caught up into the racist ideology.

Nah I am not going to play that game.
I am a Caboverdiano and I don't care what is your color my judgement is based on the content of your character.

I will say this I am a Caboverdian African I live in the United States and because I was born here I am a citizen of the United States.

I have many friends AfricanAmericans,IrishAmericans,ItalianAmericans,
FrenchAmericans,CanadianAmericans,PuertRicoAmericans,Cubans,
Chinese,Domican,Polish,English etc etc I just have many friends from all over the world who live in the USA.

Just because the USA is wrong in the classification of people according to the stupidity of OMB and the census bureau based on racism.
They should change the system on how they classify people,but they will not. Arrogance of the racist preumptuous attitude of superiority.

Thank You.

Hello I have been observing this forum off and on. Congratulations on a job well done by FORCV staff. I am not good at responding directly to posts, but I am submitting by reply to this issue of" Black, White or other"

This is a piece I am working on. Any comments will be appreciated.

I Know Who I Am
By Vasco R. A. Pires (draft #7 8-06-06)

A gentle English lady told me she was afraid of me. With surprise and dismay, I asked her why she thought this way.

“You know who you are.” She explained. I replied. “Well thank you I am so glad you think so. However, tell me why would you be afraid of me, for knowing who, I am.”

She explained that in her culture she had to play a role and speak a certain way to be accepted. “You however, do not fit the role that I understand you aught to play,” she seemed to imply.

Wow! This was a very profound revelation to me. That this lady born into a majority society of privilege and power would be afraid of me, a person of color without privilege or power, for the sole reason that I knew who I was.

Yes, I do know who I am. I know what I want to do and where I want to go. I am, neither Black nor White, I am a human being put on Earth for a reason. That reason is to do no harm and be useful to others and myself. I may seem unique, but I am not the only one. Anyone who understands the reality of their life, appreciates their cultural roots and respects the unique qualities of others can be like me.

Who am I? Where am I going? Yes, I have seen through the mind games, the historic "scams." Yes, I do know who I am. Knowledge of my history has set me free, I can be me. The family names of Rodrigues, Pires and Warner trace back to the History of Africa, India, early America, Portugal and Spain, included are: Slaves, Coal Miners, Cranberry, Tobacco and Strawberry pickers as well as, Presidents, Doctors, Lawyers, Educators, as well as a Senator or two, Scientist and successful Merchants too. Yes, I know who I am. I do not give a damn what you think of me. For hundreds of years I have been kept in the dark. I have struggled and fought to get my freedom and identity back. I can go wherever I choose to go.

With dignity and pride I have played by the rules. And racist fools, will never again define my identity. I know who I am. What you see is but a fraction of me. Take the time to take a closer look. Get to know my reality, and me, and then you will understand how much we have in common, underneath our skin.

© 2006, Vasco R. A. Pires, All Rights Reserved

Scientifically it has been proven that the color of one’s skin was always related to where they lived geographically on this planet. The closer to the equator the darker the skin produced by the high concentration of pigments to protect the skin from sun rays.
However, whenever the question “Do U consider yourself Black?” is asked unconsciously some of us have been program to believe that it’s a liability as a human being, when in reality it’s simply a biological defense mechanism to protect your skin from cancer, like wearing a bullet proof vest in a gun fight.

If this is a fact then just look at the world map & you will see that Cabo Verde is about 400 miles form the Senegal which without a doubt makes Cabo Verde part of Africa.
Then look at the history in which the Mali, Ghana & many other Sub Sahara empires used our island to mine for salt thousands of years before the Portuguese even thought of sailing. Why salt? At that time it was worth more than GOLD, it’s a necessity for life.

Look at that our current mix which is about 50/50 pure black, mix & mulatto.
In fact, any Capeverdean denying its black heritage lacks self esteem plain & simple, because even if you claim European heritage you can only go as far as Spain. With that in mind the entire Iberia peninsula was once conquered by African Musilms for centuries, which means African ruled both Spain & Portugal.
With all of this in mind the color of one’s skin is irrelevant to one’s character, & personality. However, what is relevant is one’s mind and in every race you will find dumb & smart, gifted & challenged. So next time you judge someone, do it on his or her merit, ability to think not how dark or white they look. Love that woman or man for his or her mind & it will get U further. But I guess that’s not as sexy!

True. However, it's important that we know who we are and not let others especially those who colonized and brutally dominated us for 5 centuries define our identity.

When outsiders like Standard Times try to touch important subjects such as our identity, most of times it's motivated by their own self agenda or certain interests, usually hidden or unclear that don't come to our benefit but their own. As Salah Mateus calls it, it's the ruling of the opressor over the opressed.

So, I agree with Alberto that everybody that felt insulted by the book A "Nossa Vida..." published by Standard Times should write to the editor(s) and all the writers involved in that project and let them know their disatisfaction and demand urgent and serious action by this newspaper.

Why does Standard Times classify Cape Verdeans as portuguese people?

Vagabundo,
I don't care if you go South, North, East or West, you will be the target of White racism, Black racism and other racism. It's just a part of life. Not long ago, there was a young Cabo Verdean( hopefully, I'm getting the right Cabo Verdean sight correct) who wrote about experiencing the same kind of prejudice in the North, states with heavy Cabo Verdean populations like Rhode Island, Massachusettes and Connecticut. As a Southern African American woman( Also Cabo Verdean, my dad, who I'm learning about a year ago, is Cabo Verdean-American from Dorcehester, Mass and relocated to ATL, my mom is from my state), it can be somewhat annoying for people, in spite of who they are, putting racism of any sort on the South. If you read the history of American racism, you will discover that the North wasn't as open minded as we were always taught to be ( If you don't believe me look at

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!

I'm African-American , born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee and I have been discriminated by my people. I lived in Boston ,Mass and it was the same scenario. History is the reason why such things take place in the Black community/Cabo Verdean community, the intermixing and the divisions that were created from it. It's not going away and you cannot run from it no matter where you go. Far as the "ignorance" of Southern Blacks, you must also take into consideration that the Cabo Verdean population isn't as high in those regions as inthe North. Florida and Georgia have small( the most in comparisons to other states) populations in their states. Atlanta is how I got to learn about my Cabo Verdean dad.
I'm half African American/Cabo Verdean and get picked at it. Although I don't like it, I deal with it because that is life. I'm not letting get next to me because I know it 's never going away. It's just simple as that.

Why is it that I cannot used the words white and cape verdean in the same sentence? You mean to tell me at no time in history at all ever, ever, ever no white man stepped foot on or lived or had children in cape verde?? The ignorance on this subject is incredible. Good bad or indifferent whites DID exist whether you like it or not in CAPE VERDE! Now did some have children with black cape verdeans, absolutely. But they do that here too. So whats your point. There are white americans AND black americans.

I do not know how to post a picture here but can email you some of my family taken in Brava. My ancestors from Brava originally came from portugal I am told in the 16th century. I had read that some that left to go to cape verde were sephardic jews that escaped persecution and changed their names to do so. My families last names are Pereira and Pinheiro. Not wanna be whites, are whites, why do you deny it? Why is ti so hard to believe that whites lived and existed in cape verde? Send me your email.

If not read the book Little Known by Americo Araujo a cousin of mine who got so fed up he wrote a book about it. In it are many examples and pictures of white people living in cape verde with pictures. The book i s called Little Known.

Here's my email address

Maica_Rica@yahoo

.com

check email for a picture of my family in cape verde

No one in your famaly looks white by American stardards. They all look like mongrelized Puerto Ricans. This pretty much confirms my suspicion that you are a wanna-be.

You my friend are a moron which confirms my suspicon that you are a makako My son was a proud cape verdean blonde haired and blue eyed. Only shame is he wont get to speak the language because I dont speak it at home but I do with my mother and other fmaily members. You like the rest are denial that white people ever existed in cape verde. Shame your that insecure in yourself. Te logo algum dia nu ta papia ok? Bu amigo branco.

I'm African-Americans and African Cabo Verdean American. It doesn't matter to me because I love both of them.

Salah,

are you confused about your identity?

salah, what you write is in line with what the afro-americans tell...so are you confused about your identity? are you an afro-american rather than a cv-american?

Truth about history has nothing to do with your nationality or what you call yourself.

Much of history has been twisted and revised by the lies that have been told by European scholars.Not because I say so but that is a fact. Perhaps you don't read enough about history but only what has been published by the whiteHistorian lies that have been told for centuries.I am not trying to convince you of that fact as i have said before you are stuck into what European historians have said,but the facts are what they are in reality and actuailty. You would be in good company with the KKK and the White Power Third Reich Nazi movement. Hitler had the same idea until Jesse Owens kick his butt.

Some of the world greatest contribution have been made by Black. Brown, and olive(Yellow) men and woman from many differen nations.

I am first and foremost a humanbeing I also know the history about CaboVerde people and the history of the world. Africa is the mother of civilization,but you seem to think that Europe was the birth place of civilization. The lies started from within the Roman Catholic Church and this is what Amilcar Cabral meant when he said they(PAST) Portugal and Europe took us out of history. You are one of those people that thinks that the sugar in a white mans store is sweeter then sugar from a black man store.

Your education is limited when it comes to the facts. You St Antao can't believe that you have been lied too all these years I understand your problem. You must do what Jesus said that is to be born again,I have told you the truth but you choose not to believe.

"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world,and men loved darkness rather than light,because their deeds were evil."
The Colonizers and the enslavers were evil men. I will keep you in my prayer's.


You may not see yourself as a racist but that is what you are,I doubt it that you are even a Caboverdiano who understands what really took place in what is Cabo Verde in the last 500 years.

Perhaps your sickness will not be cured.

I will ask this question why do you thinK that the first 3 Presidents of Cabo verde were Black men or that the Prime Minster is a Black man meaning people who know they are of African stock. Yes we are called Caboverdianos the name of the country the color of our citizens is not important it is how we think and that we conduct our person as a civilized humanity for a better world. And to give respect to all who deserve it.

With dignity and integrity a state of quality and honesty moral and artistic values. To give honor to all who desrve it without malice.

We would suggest that you come back to the new Cabo verde and learn the truth about Cabo Verde. This is a new day.

Viva PAIGC/PAICV
Viva Amilcar Cabral
Viva Africa
Alutta Continuna.

That is why we PAICV will continue to be the avant-garde for the development for the future of Cabo Verde. It is not the color of a person skin; to be a black person meaning African it is our culture and our mind set knowing that Africa gave birth to our planet and we are are very proud of that fact. We are also aware that we are Criolu and we are good with that. We were crucified but this is our resurrection and we are being exalted. Let the Lord baptize you in truth and receive the new gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

One of theses days someone will help you to get it right. You don't think that a person of color (Black) can make scientific enlightenment.

I have said as much in other writings. I am really surprised that you live in France and you can't find the facts in there libraries.

I am of Caboverdiano ancestry I am not Portuguese I was never accepted as Portuguese. I was born in the United States
Being called Portuguese was a misnomer unless you became assimilado,which was a wanna be and you know how that worked out just as a person from Senegal would call themselves French, Black as Ace of spades. Servants for the master's The pecking order.

That is why we fought to be liberated to be the Master's of our own fate.

Again I suggest that you read (The Colonizer And The Colonized By Albert Memmi)

You probably think that the Black Madonna is a lie.

Manu Salah

P.S.



For any one who is serious about history especially. when it comes to African or African American history just go to Amazon.com and put the name J.A.Rogers.

You might also be intersted to visit the web site
THE GLOBAL AFRICAN PRESENCE By Dr.Runoko Rashidi.

salah,

the fact is that you are writting things that sounds very similar to what afro-americans write and talk about. So My question, is
Are you an afro-american rather than a capeverdean if you start to promote the afro-american ideas and theories?

are you an afro-american, or are you confused about your identity?

salah,

why you don't reply to my questions? I think that if you embrace the afro-american historical theories (a lot of them are tainted by frustration and also by utopical cross-atlantic blurring distance). Another thing about the afro-american interpretations is that as afro-anglo-saxons, their interpretations are a reinterpretation of the white anglo-saxons interpretations, which for most centuries have been deformed by their communautarist approach,