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First of all I do not recognize "Race" as a term used to distinguish one human being from another. That term in itself is based on ignorant "Racist" attitudes.

The first lesson we need to convey is that we, meaning people of "African" descent, must be aware that we all are people, descendant or born on or near the continent of Africa. We are spread throughout the world. Some of us speak Portuguese, Kriolu, French, Spanish, Dutch, Italian or English. Within each of these language groups, there are some of us who have been indoctrinated into accepting the paradigm of our colonial masters. The lighter the skin the closer to that paradigm you were thought to be. And the more you would identify being just like your oppressor and master. Even our darker brothers and sisters, because their mannerisms were like the master, then they feel they must be a master too.

There are many Mr. Gomes in all of the language groups. We each have a Mr./ Ms. Gomes, Mr./ Ms. Johnson, or Mr./ Ms. Gonsalez in our own families. To say this is a Cape-Verdean vs. a African American problem, is missing the whole point of what underlies the problems and misinformation that has divided all of us for the past several centuries.

If we do the work and learn the reality of who we are, as human beings, then we will not have to accept anyone else's definition of who we are.

Vasco

Thank you Fogo Man. You hit the nail on the head.

Manu Salah

My Dear Beloved Friends please read what Vsaco R.A. Pires has said about race.

Professor Pires is a retired teacher. He is an Artist/Sculptor/Film Maker/Historian/ Author and Poet. He has written a book called
A.FRACTION OF ME PROSE AND POETRY FOR THE NEW CENTURY.

Professor Pires a Philosopher and intellectual, he is a very quiet spoken man does not boast nor does he look for our attention but I can tell you we should pay attention to what he has said.
You can get his book online.
Web page:

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Manu Salah

This "ill Billy" thing is just a mirror of what we are.
We call our fella african brothers (from sengal, nigeria, guiné, etc) that live here in CV, all "mandjako. " Wich, is a tribe in Guinea that don't believe in nuthing, no religion no shit. For those brothers, who are mostly muslims, to be called that is like an insult. i learned that weeks ago from a senegal friend. So i might be wrong but that's what i know.
We are indeed racists and we think we are close to being white. In europe or america we accuse them of being racist when we are the worst racists i ever know. And we born with it. it's in our society. It's on us to change that, so our future generations can learn who they are,wich is a mix of europe and africa just to say so. I personnaly consider myself african cause i believe that, but it's on each one of you to search who you are.
Peace, love and understanding!

All this talk about race within the CV community is really SAD. To an outsider we must appear to be a very confused group of people. To even think that there are CV's still thinking that they are Portuguese or not Black is really shocking. I, for one, learned the hard way when as a recent college grad and visitor in London, I was reminded on several occasions that CV's were Black and not Portuguese. It is also embarrassing to meet African Americans who are aware of the race confusion in our community because they all think we are missing "a few marbles". Billy is a throw back from the past when CV's didn't want to be grouped with American Blacks due to discrimination and the relation to slavery. (which is ironic since slavery was a huge component of Cape Verde history). I do believe that most CV's have a clue and realize that they are of the Black race no matter how light their skin.

Here we go again around the mullberry bush, round and round in a circle.
The revolving door of despair and more confusion.

This subject is tired.

Here it is from a Brother who has lived the life of being from a Caboverdean family,a street (N) who grew up in Boston since 1945 from the age of ten. Mass & Columbus Ave next to the HI Hat,Savoy,Columbus Wine and not far from Columbus Park. Went to Dwight School on West Springfield St. Sold the Pay Off Record news paper on Mass & Columbus Ave. Back then you did not call any one Black unless you wanted a fight on your hands. And if you told a street (N) he was black you got your ass whipped. IT was Negro,or colored,and back then and for many years the people from the West Indies ( Jamaica or Barbados were always in a feud about being a Negro.The West Indian would say I am not a Negro but in a very deep West Indian accent they would say Man! I is not a Negro but a Brithish Subject

You all don't know what you are talking about> Just got here a few years ago and you act like you know it all. I am not going to waste to much words. Look Black power came into affect back in the very late 50's and in the 60's. I was a member of the Nation of Islam along with MalcolmX,Minister Louis X now Louis Farrakhan. Went to Brandies Voc with his brother Alvin Walcott.

Stop the BS on all sides. Folk who are now saying they are Black do you know how many years it took the Hon Elijah Muhammad to beat that in their heads. I was one of the teachers. Read some of my stuff in Salah Mateus on line. JUst be a damm Cabo Verdiano and just say you are African is not that black enough for you and those who are saying black wise up and just be African regardless what is your color that color game is the game of the racist.

There is all kind of Hispanic people they don't go around with this foolish idea of Black they just tell you I am Honduras,Dominican, Puerto Rican,Guadeloupe,Cuban and etc.

The question of Blackness came into play when Brother Stokley Carmichael ( Kwame Toure) Cried out Black Power in a revolutionary salute in opposition to White Power. We have been working for more then 40 years to bring folk to say African. Congress of African Peoples Amir Baracka( LeoRoy Jones The Poet) Black panther's so-called Black Muslims
and all others was a means to educate dark skin folk to be proud of their color Black or Brown or high yellow. Because the dictionary teaches that Black is dirty and low and that white is pure ,clean & right. Devils food cake (dark) Angel food cake (White) Wake up my people.

I was also a member of SNCC in Philly and the Black Panther's. Plus some other stuff.OK a cranberry picker from Cape Cod and a Bus driver in Philly,a salesmen in Harlem at Theresa Hotel where I met Castro and was a body guard with other's for Gamal Abdel Nasser. By the way Nasser was brown and he was African from Egypt.

I think I have a little experience on the suject.
Look I can go on all day but some of you are stuck in the mud of race and racism. Racist European Caucasion have been playing that game on us for centuries.In South Africa they Call it Aparthied;in the USA they call it segragation and they hung (N) from trees regardless of your color. "Strange Fruit are these hanging from trees"(Billy Holiday) Lets grow up get beyond the color code concept of racism.

Look when John Aggrey from Ghana came to the USA; with Kwame Nkrumah's African Peoples Party I was one of the first persons he was in contact with and spent time with me in Philadelphia and It was i who made it All-African People Revolutionary Party in my Blakemore apartment in German town by the rail road tracks. There is more to this story but not now.

Trying to tell people who you are by color divides us by color it is there game. Africa is the prize my brother's and sisters. That is why Camarada Amilcar Cabral called it (PAIGC) Party of African Independence of Guinea & Cabo Verde. There are reason that would take to much to write about but in Cabo Verde you have (PAICV)
Party of African Independence of Cabo verde..

Now there are some (CV's) and some (N) who are caught up into the past and they and don't want to get it they are amongst the people who are wrong and continue the confusion because of their ignorance.

Now some CV'S don't want to be a part of Africa just as back in the 50's if you told a Negro he was African he or she would cop an attitude.
Brother's would say I am no African I don't have no bones in my nose,I can't drive my Caddilac in Africa,that was then but today with education and enlightenment folk are now saying I am African American that is the

Later for all them tired people. It makes no difference if their names are Mirianda or Johnson,Gomes or Washington,Black Jack or Jack White.


Put the name Salah Mateus on your search engine read more.

I know what the hell i am talking about.

I am an African man. A CaboVerdiano and proud of it. Color me brown.
My Grandfather from Cabo Verde color him black (Ballante de Guinea)) so what;my grandmother from Brava color her very light she is Fulani,Portuguese and French My Father very bright & Light my mother tan and beautiful. Call me anything just don't call me late for supper.
In my best manjago (F.O.)
African men and woman come in all shades Black Brown and all in between. Go to Libya tell me what you see there or to Algeria all that is Africa.

Amilcar Cabral,Kwame Nkrumah,Patrice Lumumbar,Augostino Neto,Ahmad Ben Bella,Mondalane and all other African men and woman.
Today we hear the term African America being used more and more.
Much has changed in terms of strategey but the fundamental principal is the realization of unity with other African peoples. The only really important color here in the states is the money green and gold or black oil.

You don't have to prove yourself to nobody by color just be who you are and be a good person Be African from what ever country you come from
African American or African Caboverdiano we come in all colors. Dig that.
Africa did not get on our radar screen in the USA until Hon.Marcus Garvey J.A.Rogers and other's brought it to light and even then folk were not ready,just a few and most of them were from the West Indies.
Africa is the prize!
Africa is the Prize!

United States is also a prize that is another subject,we are working on it.
No Pintcha! Amanda! Uruh!

The struggle is about good people working together to accomplish what is good and right for people for humanity.

What we need to stop is the crime & the killing going on in our community,not get involved in the BS of color.

I love my automobile and it is black it serves me well what color is yours?

Cher'no Manu Salah

PS Fogoman made a good introduction on the problem read him again.

Good Answer, Good Answer CV2K. I say it is all about economic progress and self actualization. If you get there you will really care less about Black, African American, Negro, Chocolate, Frapachino, "Stayed in the toaster too Long, etc". Because when you are in a good place and are comfortable in your own skin you can tell people that you descend from the wonderful islands of Cape Verde. You can also tell them how most of the people are just fabulous and the music is absolutely astounding(especially the use of the violin). And when you walk into a restaurant, museum or a retail store in say Los Angeles (personal experience) and you hear Cesaria or other CV music you'll want to jump for joy and scream "Yes this is the music of my people". And when you do people will listen to you and find your story and the land of your forefathers really interesting and memorable-so when they see you next they will say "That person is from Cape Verde" and there will no longer be the confusion of your identity.

People, people, this is getting rough.
Salah, im sorry but you asked for this answers and you got them.
A fellow with your background should be more humble and think twice before speaking. We will learn a lot more with you if you show us what you know instead of pretend that we are a bunch of idiots talking nothing.
The day we all feel the way you seem to feel (the truth holder) we will not post in the forum no more, and the future generations will loose with that.
I apreciate the teachings and knowledge you bring here, but please be a bit more humble, and we will respect you more.
Sorry if u don't agree with us. This is just my "stupid" opinion. Who cares?

My Dear friends so much is taking out of context,and I can understand why,english is a very tricky language and one always has to make sure that folk get the proper meaning.

Much has to do with the interpretation or misinterpretation of what is in your mind and what we understand. Certainly for sure we have been fighting racism for a long time and we do know the game and it has nothing to do with my age.

Let me say this to all of you that I love you all very much like a father loves a son or daughter,but I am sure if we want to solve this question about prejudice and segregation and racism there is a much better way then how we are doing it. Yes it takes the proper teachings and the proper education.

I detect and maybe I have misunderstood but when some say Pide,PAIGC and PAICV in the same breath I detect cynicism and that some feel that there is no democracy in Cabo Verde or freedom under PAICV. The USA Government and the USA Ambassador has only good things to say about the democracy in Cabo Verde
Perhaps some of you have another party of choice,nothing wrong with that, that is what makes for a democracy the freedom to choose that we never had under Pide or colonialism. But the struggle of PAIGC under Cabral's direction gave us this new found independence is that not so? PAICV keeps us in direct touch with Africa and African people around the globe,including African Americans.
Please correct me.

In terms of this question about Black and white and racism in the USA and the misunderstanding with some Caboverdianos interms of African American and vis-a-vis ;there is a better way to resolve this question.

The problem of racism is a very complicated one especially when it comes not only to Caboverdean people and other nationals here in the United States. The indigenous who some call Native Americans(Indians) who come in many shades from very dark very brown and all other variables. The Mexican the Hispanic or Latino's.

The driving wedge in the United States and in the Americas has been to make white superior and people who dark as inferior,we have already said that but no one is reading it and those who are are so angry that they just want to strike back.

Yes I am a teacher on this subject but one can not make it simple in only a short discourse. Some of my writings have been to shock and to make us think. I am not against any of you what I would hope for that we find our balance and be united and not get caught up in the game of racism.

Do you think that we should all be qualified by color and that we should have arguments about what color is superior or best?

Perhaps we should ask the people who give signs,symbols and definitions in what is the lexicon of the language (English) to make the corrections in the dictionary. Because it would seem to me how much we talk about it if the Bible of the language makes certain words offensive and project the idea of what is defined as negrophobia No matter how much we say black is beautiful(and Black is beautiful) the dictionary makes it ugly by definition. The idea that African people are to be feared because of the darkness of skin just as many are scared of the darkness of night.(Boogey Man)

It is said that history is best qualified to reward all research.

Look my dear friends for more the 500 years Africans have been under a cruel depraved,diabolical, diablerie system. It is to much to write about ,but as some of you have said you can read about it in books but I wonder how many CV'S have read those books. Let us not forget much has to do with class and education.

Please understand I am not against you,I am not the enemy here. Discrimination and prejudice and segregation and miscalculation,because of the color of ones skin,been there,seen and been abused by it. I have been involved in the struggle for civil rights and human rights since I was 10 years old starting in the youth council of the NAACP in Boston. I suggest you join the organization if you really want to be part of the solution not of the problem.

Now let me add another phase to all of this. That is doing good deeds and doing what is right and being responsible to good conduct and good character and honesty and also virtures of morality; I think if we did that color would not be important to any of us in terms of national origin. May I remind all of us that Dr.Martin Luther King and Camarada Amilcar Lopes Cabral made it very clear.

I have tried to touch people at different levels of society and of different persuasion of philosophy and ideology.

We have not made that qualitative jump to end this conflict between what is in the CV community and the African American Community especially among the grass roots or what is called the street people who hustle every day for a living by there wit.
I challenge those CV'S who are in the halls of academia with our African American Brother's and Sister's and with other nationalities be it latinos or Mexicans and all others to help forge our unity based on character and development on good and to help eliminate the vile and the ill. There is much more to be said on the subject but I am sure that some will find what I have said not to have any value.

I have for many years call for a special meeting to be held for CV'S in order to reducate the minds from what was colonialism and racism.
To create cadres for that purpose of education and enlightenment.

Let me say this if this would help us at all. We all know that a piano has both Black and white keyes and in order to have harmony you must play on both and one is not superior to the other.

May I suggest again that we read :Revolution in Guinea by Amilcar Cabral.

Return to the Source: Selected Speeches of Amilcar Cabral
Edited by Africa Information Service

Connecting the struggles:
Cabral said this: " I am bringing to you-our African brothers and sisters of the United States- the fraternal salutations of our people in assuring you we are very conscious that all in this life concerning you also concerns us. If we do not always pronounce words that clearly show this,it doesn't mean that we are not conscious of it. It is a reality and considering that the world is being made smaller each day all people are becoming conscious of this fact.
Naturally if you ask me between brothers and comrades what I prefer- if we are brothers it is not our fault or our responsiblity.
But if we are comrades,it is a political engagement.

Naturally we like our brothers but in our conception it is better to be a brother and a comrade. We like our brothers very much, but we think that if we are brothers we have to realize the responsibility of this fact and take clear positions about our problems in order to see beyond this condition of brothers, we are also comrades. this is very important for us.

We try to understand your situation in this country. You can be sure that we reliaze the difficulties you face, the problems you have and your feelings, your revolts,and also your hopes.
We think that our fighting for Africa against colonialism and imperialism is a proof of understanding of your problems in this continent. Natuarally the inverse is also true. All the achievements towards the solution of your problems here are real contributions to our own struggle. And we are very encouraged in our struggle by this fact that each day more of the African people born in America become conscious of their responsibilities to the struggle in Africa.

Does that mean you have to all leave here and go fight in Africa? We do not believe so. That is not being realistic in our opinion. History is a very strong chain. We have to accept the limits of history but not the limits imposed by societies where we are living. There is a difference.
We think that all you can do here to develop your own conditions in the sense of progress, in the sense of history and in the sense of the total realization of your aspraitions as human beings is a contribution for us.
It is also a contribution for you to never forget that you are Africans.

Does that mean that we are racists? No! We are not racists. Weare fundamentally and deeply against any kind of racism.
Even when people are subjected to racism we are against racism from those who have been oppressed by it. In our opinion-not from dreaming but from a deep analysis of the real conditions of the existence of mankind and of the division of societies-racism is a result of certain circumstances. It is not eternal in any latitude in the world. It is the result of historical and economic conditions. And we can not answer racism with racism."

" In combatting racism we don't make progress if we combat the people themselves. We have to combat the causes of racism.
Many people lose energy and effort,and make sacrifices combatting shadows.
WE HAVE TO COMBAT THE MATERIAL REALITY THAT PRODUCES THE SHADOW.
"IT IS IMPORTANT TO AVOID CONFUSION BETWEEN THE SHADOW AND THE BODY THAT PROJECTS THE SHADOW."


Please for give me for all of that but those of you who are sincere about unity and trying to reslove those conditons that exsist please read more carefully. I will submit my self to my higher power to try for responsibility and right AND TO DO GOOD AND REFRAIN FROM EVIL.

I am sure that nothing I have said will change any of you but maybe if one person gets the message then all is not at loss.
Do not become overwhelmed with our misfortunes and become a people who go astray from the good and right path. Good and evil deeds will be weighed against each other. If the good deeds prevail,the soul will attain peace (Salah) and salvation. Let us not be conquered by evil.
Ate Logo.
Deus Ku Nos.

Thank you for your kindness.
Manu Salah
With all African Love de Cabo Verde
Manu Salah


Let us be exalted in dignity,integrity and strive for higher spiritual values and expand peace and love
DEUS-Dialectic -Eclectic-Universal Science. There & Here (Allah & Ali)

I am sure that when the anglo-saxon sends a black in prison for racist reasons, he will not be questioned and no one will be able to do anything against that. But when a cv-american does 100 times less, everybody tries to attack him. They are attacking cv because they think that cv-americans are week and manipulable.
The cv-community should unite together and not get even weeker than what you are at the moment...basically nobody cares of the blacks in the usa...so if you unite and stick together the cv-community will avoid to be manipulated...If you follow the manipulation you will become a group even below the afro-americans, which at this stage are the lowest ranked community in your contry...SO STAY UNITED.

Salah Omo-Wali Barbosa DaRosa Mateus (whoa that's a whole lot of names),

You are getting sweeter and it is very nice, Just because you are not formally educated it doesn't mean that you are not bright. You are a very smart man with a lot of knowledge and you can share that knowledge so much more effectively when you are patient and sweet--not sugary sweet like a glazed donut but like a blueberry muffin-nice. Not everyone has reached a place in their personal development like you have. I loved your last post and I do agree with you and CV2K. I also THINK WE COULD BE RELATED . My father was only a few years older than you and I wish he had reached the place in his personal development before he passed as you have. I do respect you as an elder and I am sure I can learn a lot from you. More people will take these forum seriously if they know that they can post without someone attacking them and making them look foolish. Because, let's face it, very few of us are that confident.

Now let's deal with Santa Anastasia. Like I said before, you are a pain in the Cadeira. Why must you continue to annoy all of humanity? Are you bored with your life? Did you have a head injury? Go feed the homeless and do something positive.

cvlinda, you are just arrogant, and you are just contributing to this forum with void sentences and ideas.

For you information, I have been just once to the USA, and there I have been harrassed almost everyday by afro-americans asking me for money... and I gave them what I could...I am sure in you everyday life you just walking in the streets and you don''t see these poor people...