To my dear friend Agusto Santos de Pina:

My four year old grandson stayed over last night and, as a result, I'm eating my breakfast by myself and he and my wife are playing games some where in the house.  My breakfast this morning consist of goofong, munster cheese, green tea and cranberry juice. Were going to the mall for lunch, he likes the mall. He wants to go to Toys-R-Us and buy an Anikan Sky Walker doll. It's some character from the latest Star Wars movie, what we do for our grandchildren, eh Agusto?  By 6:00 pm, my wife and I will return to normal, my grandson would have gone home by then.

In a few weeks, my wife and I are planning to attend a dance in Waterbury, Connecticut at the "Cape Verdean Club of Waterbury".  The new club is on North Main St.  The club has been there for a while.  I say new if you haven't been there in recent years.  We will be staying at the Waterbury Sheraton on East Main St.  This is like a mini-vacation for us, sleep late or get up early, restaurant or room service, our friends understand why we stay at the hotel.

The Cape Verdean Club on North Main is a memorial to those early immigrants who have passed on to a better life and have also taken up permanent residence in our memory.  The Cape Verdean community of Waterbury should be singled out for special mention, they have done a commendable job with great effort, sacrifice and skill.  We American born Cape Verdeans have an obligation to maintain these clubs and preserve our music, dance, food our holidays and celebrations and all that was left to us.  When we walk through the doors of that club, or any other Cape Verdean club, for a Saturday night dance, they are present in their absence through you and me through all of us. "Those immigrants thousands of them who have disappeared from the records that still vibrate with their presence" have a home in that building on North Main St.

Congratulations again Waterbury. There has been a decline in the activities of the "Cape Verdean Clubs". Let us examine what some of the reasons are.  Some time ago you sent me an e-mail "Francisco".  Here is an excerpt from that e-mail.

"Francisco said he never failed to send money home to his mother.  He said he could not read or write at that time, so he joined the local Cape Verdean club.  They wrote the letters, made out money orders, read the return letters and took care of all the needs of the immigrants legal matters, housing, health, work and what ever else came up.  The club arranged Cape Verdean dances, weddings, Christenings, funerals and after work activities. They were also in touch with Cape Verdean communities in Connecticut and other states.  He said by the time he left America, these type clubs were no longer needed, the American born Cape Verdean had taken over.  He said you would be suprised how efficient the club operated.  No individual or family went unattended.  'We were one family'".

Also read "Understanding" and "The Capeverdean Clubs".

From 1920 to 1950, immigration from the Cape Verde Islands to the United States was closer to nothing than something.  During this same period, the immigrant community was decreasing in numbers and in influence but in the American born community their numbers were rapidly increasing along with their influence. Agusto, during the years following the second world war, great changes would take place that would cause, or be the contributing cause, to the decline of the 'Cape Verdean Club'.  

Lets look at some of these causes.  The second world war would draft every eligible Cape Verdean male born between 1901 and 1922, the rest would follow as the war progressed and the Korean war five years later would take those who were too young five years earlier.  Following the Second World War, another cause was the "52/20 Club" where veterans were paid $20.00 a week for fifty two weeks to help them get back on their feet.  There was the "GI Bill" where you got paid to go to school. You could buy a house through the GI Bill with government assistance.  

There was also unemployment insurance, social security, workmen's compensation, welfare, Farm Home Administration (FMHA), Federal Housing Administration (FHA), etc.  Some of these agencies already existed, but following the war they became more accessible.  Attitudes changed and became more people friendly.  The American born Cape Verdean spoke English and was turning to the federal, state or local government for assistance.  The above could be some of the reasons for the decline of the Cape Verdeans Clubs.  Some of the clubs went completely out of business or turned to entertainment only.  Of course, there were some exceptions.

I've got to go now, but we will get back to this subject.

Your friend,

Manny Gomes