"The American dream is defined as "an American ideal of a happy and successful life to which all may aspire: “In the deepening gloom of the Depression, the American Dream represented a reaffirmation of traditional American hopes”'-Anthony Brandt. (http://www.answers.com/topic/american-dream)

"The American dream is the idea (often associated with the Protestant work ethic) held by many in the United States of America that through hard work, courage and determination one can achieve prosperity. These were values held by many early European settlers, and have been passed on to subsequent generations. What the American dream has become is a question under constant discussion.

Income is often among the top measures of success in the United States, alongside educational attainment and occupational prestige. As some aspects of the American Dream concern material aspects and the satisfaction of external desires, it is also important to look at the distribution of income among Americans.' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_American_Dream)

All that said, the challenge to reach the American dream has become quite a difficult task even for those who are willing to work hard and play by the books. In fact, according to wikipedia.org, "the United States has been criticized for failing to live up to the ideal of success available to everyone who is willing to work hard. High paying jobs in the United States increasingly require some sort of college or university degree, but higher education can be very expensive, around $10,000 per year at public institutions on average, going up to as high as $40,000 per year at the most prestigious private colleges." ((http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_American_Dream).

On the other hand, many old and recent Cape Verdean immigrants can comfortably say that they're leaving the American Dream. So, it seems that although challenging, reaching the dream is still possible. It's a question of being at the right place at the right time.

Now, the key question is: where is the right place? In other words, in which US city do Cape Verdeans have the best opportunities to reach the American Dram:

Pawtucket, Brockton, Bridgeport, Atlanta, Boston, Providence, Norwich, Kissimmee, New Bedford, Fall River, New York, or elsewhere?

Why and how?

Please, consider the following criteria when answering the questions above:

Opportunities to accumulate wealth; availability of many good paying jobs; easy access to quality health care; access to good colleges and universities; opportunities to own home; cost of living; easy of starting own business; good quality public and private education for kids; safety and low crime rate; good roads & public services (e.g. transportation, street cleaning, policing); strong community organizing and togetherness; enough leisure time available for families and friends; opportunities to participate in local government and run for official positions; reasons to feel good about life; feeling part of the system; don't experience much racism and discrimination.


Related topic:

Vote: Where do Cape Verdeans have the best opportunities to reach the American Dream?

Link: forcv.com/index.php?idnoticia=21


Link:http://bpe.org/btr/index.html

Well, one would think that New Bedford would be ideal place for Capes Verdean to prosper since Cape Verdeans have been there for so long. But since there's never been a CV Mayor or Police chief or City Council Chairman of that City, I would then conclude that that's not an ideal place for CVs to flourish. So Boston would be it, in my book. We can start with a very public successful Cape Verdean as an example, Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral. And I'm pretty sure other private Cape Verdeans have done very well for themselves in Boston.

What are your thoughts?

THE BEST PLACE IS TO DROP YOUR BUCKETS WHERE YOU ARE!

HOPE FOR OUR FUTURE. REALITY FOR OUR FUTURE.

WHEREVER CABOVERDIANOS MIGHT BE;THE MOST IMPORTANT AS WE ALL AGREE IS TO GUIDE OUR YOUTH TO THE BEST EDUCATION WE CAN GET.

BE IT NEW BEDFORD, BOSTON, BROCKTON, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, OR ANY CITY OR STATE IN THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER COUNTRY WE MIGHT BE.

PARENTS IN OUR HOMES MUST BE GUIDED SO THAT THE DSICIPLINE FOR EDUCATION OR ANY VOCATION MUST BE MADE A TOP PRIORITY.

OUR HOUSES OF WORSHIP THAT WE ATTEND MUST BE A DRIVING FORCE IN OUR COMMUNITY;THE MINISTERS THE PRIEST,THE PASTORS WHAT EVER MIGHT BE THEIR TITLE MUST BE THE DRIVING FORCE.

IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO JUST TEACH THE CATECHISM AND RELIGIOUS DOCTRINE,AND THAT IS GOOD. WE KNOW GOOD MORALS AND GOOD BEHAVIOR FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN. DISCIPLINE,RESPONSIBILITY.

THESE HOUSES OF PRAYER SHOULD BE OPEN FOR CHILDREN TO GO TOO AFTER SCHOOL TO LEARN ENGLISH,ARITHMETIC AND TO DO HOME WORK WITH SUPERVISION. SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS IN FILM TO BE SHOWN. THE LIBRARY HAS SPECIAL DOCUMENTARIES THAT CAN BE RENTED FREE. I AM SURE THIS IS BEING DONE. WE JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE FAMILIES AND THE PASTORS TO WORK MORE DILIGENTLY WITH PARENTS AND TEACHERS AND THE MANY WONDERFUL ORGANIZERS IN ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

EVERY CITY AND TOWN HAS ITS POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE ELEMENTS,WE MUST MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO THE POSITIVE.

WORK HARD TO ELIMINATE THE NEGATIVE.

I REMEMBER WHEM I LIVED IN ROXBURY AND ATTENDED WHAT WAS ST.RICHARDS CHURCH ON FENNO STREET;WE HAD DANCES FOR THE TEENAGERS UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF PRIEST AND PARENTS,WE HAD THEATER AND DRAMA CLUBS AND PUT ON PLAYS. TODAY I AM SURE THE YOUTH WOULD LIKE TO HAVE RAPP THAT HAS A POSITIVE MESSAGE.

WHILE LEARNING THE HISTORY OF UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION AND HOW TO BE THE BEST AS A CITIZEN AND TO PROMOTE CIVICS AND SOCIAL SCIENCE AND THE DUTIES OF CITIZENSHIP.

ONE OF THE GREAT POINTS IS THAT YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ALSO VERY PROUD OF AND THAT IS TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THEIR CULTURE AND THEIR HISTORY OF CABO VERDE. TO BE PROUD OF THOSE MANY GREAT MEN AND WOMAN WHO MADE SO MANY SACRIFICES AND MANY WHO GAVE THEIR LIFE TO BRING FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY TO CABO VERDE.

MUSIC IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT AND INTRICATE PART OF CABOVERDEAN PEOPLES LIVES THAT IT WOULD SEEM TO BE A VERY RELEVANT THAT YOUNG PEOPLE WOULD FIND IT MOST ATTRACTIVE TO HAVE MUSIC LESSON AT THE MANY HOUSE OF PRAYERS,CHURCHES OR TEMPLES OF CABO VERDE MUSIC. WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST TEACHERS AND INSTRUCTORS FOR VIOLIN & GUITAR.

LET US SING A NEW SONG OF EDUCATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT.

CABO VERDE AND ITS PEOPLE HAVE SUCH A DYNAMIC CULTURE THAT REFLECTS AT ALL TIMES MATERIAL AND A SPIRITUAL REALITY OF SOCIETY. WE MUST WORK WE MUST CONTINUE IN OUR STRUGGLE TO BE BETTER. WHILE WE ARE LEARNING TO BE GOOD CITIZENS IN THE UNITED STATES WE MUST NEVER FORGET THAT WE ARE A PEOPLE FROM
CABO VERDE WHO ARE PROUD WITH DIGNITY AND HONOR OF WHO WE ARE AND WHERE WE WANT TO GO. SUCCESS AND VICTORY IS OURS FOR SURE.

BROTHERS AND SISTERS YOUR DESTINY MUST BE THE DESTINY OF OUR PEOPLES.

WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST PEOPLE WITH GREAT MINDS WORKING IN MANY ORGANIZATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS WHO ARE WORKING TO HELP THIS TO BE A REALITY. WE APPLAUD ALL OF YOU.

WE ALL UNDERSTAND THE MANY PROBLEMS THAT WORKING FAMILIES,AND SINGLE PARENTS HAVE LIVING IN A SOCIETY WITH SO MUCH DISTRACTIONS. THE BURDEN FOR MANY WHO HAVE NOT ADOPTED TO THIS SYSTEM OR HAVE A LANGUAGE BARRIER.

WE MUST MAKE THIS A STRUGGLE THAT REACHES THE DEPTH OF OUR HEARTS AND MINDS.

TODAY IT IS SO WONDERFUL TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE AN EMBASSY AND A CONSULATE GENERALS OFFICE; PEOPLE WHO ALSO REPRESENT CABO VERDE AT THE UNITED NATION. WHEN I WAS A KID MORE YEARS THEN I WOULD LIKE TO REMEMBER(I am not telling my age )THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. WHEN I LIVED IN ROXBURY OR BACK BAY BOSTON YOU COULD COUNT CV'S ON ONE HAND. TODAY YOU WALK DOWN THE STREET IN DOCHESTER,OR PAWTUCKET OR BROCKTON,I HEAR PEOPLE TALKING IN CREOLU,I SEE WOMAN CARRYING THEIR BABIES ON THEIR BACK. I HEAR CABOVERDIANO MUSIC IN THE AIR,AND I HAVE HEARD SOME CV RAPPERS LIKE TEM BLESSED OUT OF NEW BEDFORD WITH A MESSAGE OF HOPE. I HAVE SPOKEN ON MANY UNIVERSITIES&COLLEGES CAMPUSES. CREOLU STA TUDO KABU.

WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU CHILDREN, YOU BEAUTIFUL YOUNG PEOPLE AND ALL OF THOSE WONDERFUL PARENTS TEACHERS AND COMMUNITIY WORKERS. DEUS KU NOS.

"IF IT IS WRONG, WE WILL MAKE IT RIGHT,AND IF IT IS NOT RIGHT, WE WILL FIX IT." Manu Salah


Let me add on to what has already been said.

New Bedford may have been one of the first place for CV's after slavery was abolished. What history does not tell us is how many people were brought to this continent from Cabo Verde (Azijah). How many ships English,Spanish,French,Portugal, even Dutch found there way with slaves from Cabo Verde. How many were dropped off in the Caribbean Islands.

I think that New Bedford is not the city for that dream,it is really a dead city at this time. A place for retirees or to get away from the big city(Boston). Many people are moving away from New Bedford,there are no jobs. especially the young who are moving to Atlanta,Florida or California,warm weather. More good jobs.


Perhaps Boston,Cambridge area because it has some of the best schools;Universities & Colleges. Greater opportunity for employment.
To answer the question where is the best place to fullfill the dream.

Atlanta & Savannah Ga.is very promising it is a jewel, economic mecca for entrepreneueship also great schools.

The state of Rhode Island.Providence,Pawtucket a great state good schools.

Florida great weather Cv's are going there and some are doing very well after graduating from College going into business. You must have a college degree and some money,it takes money to make money.

The dream is all about money $$$$$$. Being able to have that fine big house 3 or 4 different cars buying the clothes and the blink blinks or is that bling bling.

Now the Key is New York New York and knowing how to be succesful in playing the Wall Street game on the global level.

Bill Gates, Donald Trump all the CEO's that build and manage Billion $$ industries.

Well I suppose I could name some Rappers like P Diddy,50Cents,Ludicrous,Snoopy Dogg, but that wealth is on shaky ground rich today and broke tomorrow or dead like Shupak and Big Daddy.

What we don't want is that the dream becomes a nightmare.

My dream will come true when in fact we have a true Cabo Verde Cultural Center that will tell us,and teach us the facts and the reality about us as a people and to inform and educate us to reach the A to Z THAT IS THE APEX TO THE ZENITH OF SUCCESS LONG LIFE, GOOD HEALTH,PEACE OF MIND AND UNITY TO EXPRESS OUR MORABEZA TO THE WORLD.

I can say this we are well on the way,I have been to the promise land Cabo Verde (Azijah) We can thank all of our lucky Stars the 10 Islands.
With all the many wonderful and beautiful people from Azijah who are called Caboverdianos & Caboverdianas. The Green people the stem of life,the stalk of the seed of life that has born the fruit of humanity the kaleidoscope a diverse collection of the Human Being of DEUS.

When you see the Republic of Cabo Verde (Azijah) from the sky and you see the shape of the mathematical sign (Greater than) Which is
BOA VISTAR > THE APEX; POINTS TO AFRICA >.

All I can say now is Graca de Deus and is that black enough for all of you

Don't be Don't be Don't be Just be and be very

I love you all and I know your dream will come true. Because you know that dreams are abstractions or a release from reality.

In order to make it real you must work it into your reality and actuality.
Education,Education,Enlightenment. That is makng your dream your vision a creation of the imagination. REALITY: THE QUALITY OR STATE OF BEING REAL,YOUR DREAM BECOMES REAL. That means we work for it;meaning activity in which one exerts strength or faculties to do or perform something;sustained physical or mental effort to overcome obstacles and achieve an objective or result. Labor.Task meaning duty the force of moral obligation.

Thank you Dr.Amilcar Lopes Cabral (Abel Djassi)

One of Your disciples.
Discipline-Enlightenment-Ubiquitous-Science (D.E.U.S.)
Cher'no Manu Salah Omowali Mateus
African Love.
No Pintcha!



The dream that is a loaded question?

What's the right steps to take in pursuing the "American Dream"?

cv watchdog.....a good question with many answers. It depends on the quality of life one desires. Is it important to be part of a community made up of people from cv? That of course restricts the geographical options in the usa. Or is location, regardless if cv's are present or not, important? there's weather, cultural activities, school systems, etc. to be considered. i have a fair amount of friends who first emmigrated to dorchester, brockton or pawtucket and then struck out on their own to resettle in places where there was not only no cv's, but their new friends had no idea where cv is. it's pretty incredible and at times uncertain when you think of it. But they enjoy their new lives.... thats not to say sodade doesn't creep in every now and then but their goals seem to be finding their own way and establishing new roots.

In capeverde?

I am not sure that there is a cv-american who is as rich as Moura, who owns the "Moura Company" (I think technicil is part of this consortium), Moura company is valued at 0.5 billion $.

with all the investments to be done in capeverde right now, the one who will invest big will be very rich.

Now, ok, that not really the topic, and I have never been to the USA, but if I wanted to be rich I will go to California, in the silicon valley and work on nano-technology, or houston and work in the oil-industry.

Are there any capeverdeans in the USA who are involved in cutting-edge science? Or medecine? or lawyers? or sports management? where in the usa are they living?

Read: (THE BEST PLACE IS TO DROP YOUR BUCKETS WHERE YOU ARE)

DOES IT SAY ANY THING TO ANY ONE. I AM JUST A GRASS ROOTS PERSON CONCERNED ABOUT OUR FUTURE.

I HOPE WE HOPE FOR THE SAME THINGS,TO MAKE IT BETTER.

THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT CABO VERDE,I DON'T KNOW, BUT MY PARENTS FROM DJHA-FOGO & DJHA BRAVA MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO ME THAT WILL NOT LET ME FORGET.

FAMILAR MATEUS DE FOGO (Barboza) e ROSA e Reneey (Rainey) I have never met any of my families in Fogo or Brava. I have been to Fogo but never to Brava.

I do get very emotional about all of this

I remember my grandfather from Brava Aurelio Da Rosa a violinist saying he came over on the boat called Vallacrus(1900) which landed in Marthars Vinyard, His father was Manuel Jouan Da Rosa Had a brother named Alberto Da Rosa who was a singer,who never left Brava.

Carolina Rainey came over on a boat called Notecia (August 1902) The Captain was Antoinio Staebo who died on the way over. She was from a place called Mato.They lived in Marion,Mass.

I don't know much about my Father's people in Fogo His father was Manuel Mateus he was very European in his looks was called Nho Mane Fakinyu (Manny Little knife). Married to Nha Julia Pina ,they lived in Wareham,Mass. My father was Charles B.Matthews (Marcelino Barboza Mateus)some times called Pop Charley; Brother (Nene) Benjamin Matthews,George Matthews, a sister called Pregu and Mary Matthews. Many CV names were made anglo.


Manu Salah

Salah,

why didn't you go to fogo or brava to search for informations about your family? Every church keeps the "registro de nascismento" of all the people who are born in their district and so you can know much more about all your familly, maybe since 1850...

Salah, you talk about those who change their name to put them in english when they arrived in america. Why did you change your name to an arabic-based name?

Sorry for the mistake but read what I have said. I hope your prayers will be a reality. That is to protect us from harm (Salvation)

If we focus on the Moral we will not have to think about identity.

The world is at the lowest level of morality.

From the perspective of the days in which our great grandparents when we took the blessings from our elders that was different.

Deus gives abundant provision of grace for the gift of righteouness.
Let us also read Romans Chp 12.
Let us not forget the sterness of Deus,let us continue in Kindness.

Let us be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
Manu Salah

salah,

you talked about those capeverdeans who changed their name when they arrived in the USA into english names...and you why did you choose to change your name to an arabic name?

salah,

in my case, I asked to my familly members to tell what they knew about our familly, and I have been able to go back to 1850. Unfortunatly for us the local church burnt a longt time ago, and the registros of nascimenta and casamento were inside...One of my grand-grand fathers emmigrated to the USA in the 30ies and according to my cv familly he had another familly in the USA, I would like to know about them but I don't have any idea of who they are or were he was living in the USA...

you didn't reply on why you choose to replace your original name to an arabic name?

I know about the jews, in santo-antao we have a city called "synagoga", and I know that a lot of jews from marroco came in the 19th century to capeverde, in tfact they were portuguese jews who went to marroco after the inquisition, they stayed there 400 years still keeping their portuguese heritage and then went to cape-verde...

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

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

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

Boston was voted the City where Kriolus have the best chances to pursue the American Dream with 44% of the total votes; but I noticed that New York came in second position with 17% although there far more Cape Verdeans in Boston and the rest of New England than in NY. So, I wonder why the Big Apple got so many votes and proportionally posed as a big competitor to the Beantown.

THERE ARE MORE CV'S IN NEW YORK THEN ARE COUNTED FOR,BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE VISIBLE NUMBERS SUCH AS WE HAVE IN THE TRI STATE AREAS OF CONN,RI,MASS.
THE LAST 200 YEARS MOST CV MARINERS AND OTHERS HAVE MELTED INTO THE NEW YORK FABRIC, INTER MARRIAGES AND MANY NAME CHANGES. THEY HAVE BECOME HARLEM OR SPANISH HARLEM AND MANY TIMES JEWISH HARLEM,DUTCH HARLEM, THAT BEING SAID THE NUMBERS ARE SMALL.
NEW YORK NOT ONLY GREAT SCHOOLS BUT IT WAS AND STILL IS THE FINANCIAL CENTER OF THE GLOBE,WITH BRANCHES ALL OVER.

NEW YORK THE BIG APPLE,WALL STREET,JAZZ PRESENTS A CHALLENGE TO EVERYONE. I THINK THE BIGGEST CV CLUB WAS IN BROOKLYN AT ONE TIME. INTERESTING THAT 17% VOTED NEW YORK. MUST BE SOMETHING TO THAT.

MANY CV WOMEN MADE NEW YORK THEIR HOME.