Skunk is an Algonquian word (Wampanoag) for a small animal that  has two glands which eject  a very  intense malodorous substance. Webster's Dictionary says that a  skunk  can be applied to a person: "contemptible ill-mannered person".

 Here is the documental proof  that the other ethnic groups continue to despise the Portuguese-Americans in the State of Rhode Island. 

Obviously this  unfortunate episode makes it a  much stronger  reason why the “RI League  of Luso-American Organizations”  should continue with  even more energy in the future!

We are not in Russia, nor China.  This is the U. S. A. where fortunately the democracy triumphs. 

First were the Yankees  despising the Irish;  then were the Yankees and the Irish despising the Italians. Now we have the Yankees, the Irish and the Italians despising the Portuguese! 

We Portuguese-Americans will overcome this discrimination. We just have to keep very much alert for the next four years  if any one of those ‘good for nothing candidates’ win the election. We should continue to remind them of ‘the lousy job’ that they have done  by despising  our Portuguese-American voters!

The  newspaper “Portuguese Times” from New Bedford, MA,  published  on its issue of August 14, 2002,  a letter to Editor signed by Victor Santos.  Read it attentively, because it  will   twist  your stomach.

We did not believe that miserable episodes like this one still could happen today in America, but  unfortunately  they still do!

Here is the letter to the Editor of the "Portuguese Times"

Rhode Island League of Luso­American Organizations disappointed with candidates

Dear Editor:
Yesterday, August 6th, for the first time ever, an informational forum for the Portuguese, non-English speaking voting public, was held at the Gregorian Elementary School in the Fox Point area of Providence. This forum was organized and sponsored by our League, which represents many Portuguese American organizations in the State.

We the League, as well as the Portuguese community, were extremely disappointed and frankly insulted that only one can­didate, Mr. Antonio Pires, attended. Not one of the other candidates even replied by fax with a confirmation or a regrets as our letters and previous faxes had indicated.

 We received simply three phone calls with regrets way past the deadline date from Myrth York, Sheldon Whitehouse and Mr. Cacieri.

A lot of work and preparation went into putting this together not to mention expense: advertising costs, auditorium rental; interpreters etc. and to have one out of six candidates show interest in our community is very disappointing. 

The Portuguese are a hard working, law abiding, TAX PAYING, community with a proven track record of many contributions to many sectors of our community. 

We should be recognized before September 10th that we also count. We are the second largest ethnic group in the state of Rhode Island, only to be neglected and disrespected by so many candidates, five to be exact. Mr. Pires indicated that the attendance of the public at the Forum was, if not greater, than other forums that he has attended with all candidates

I would also like to remind you that this Forum had been originally scheduled for August 1st,  and I was forced to change it due to another Forum, sponsored by the Urban League changing theirs. 

Let me remind you also that the Forum was rescheduled because the organizing committee of the Urban League could not find a “caterer” for August 6th. Is this any reason for  ruining an already organized event? 

When I confronted the per­son in charge, she hung up on me. Speak of being civil to one another. I thought that was the whole theme of the Urban League. When we found out the 6th of August was now open with all candidates, we moved our forum  to August 6th. It did not do any good. Minutes after Mr. Whitehouse’s staff called to state that they already had a previous commitment.

We took great strides in making sure that the Forum was not going to turn into a Tony Pires Rally. It was held in Fox Point, the interpreters came from Brown University, we invited  American journalists: Jim Baron from the Times, another disappointment who the day before e-mailed us to state that since he was informed by the majority of the candidates that they were not  going to attend, that he was not coming; Kristine Cyr, who stated the day before, after I called to just confirm the arrival time, stated she had left me a message, way back when, that she could not do the date of August 6th, but was going to “ask around" to see if anyone in her office could come. 

Mr. Steve Kass from WPRO was asked to be the moderator and he attended and did a fine job as usual. 

We also stated on the invitation letter that the League was not endorsing any one candidate. Throughout this whole process we were as impartial as possible with our only intent to inform the Portuguese voting public on where candidates for governor stood on various issues.

It was the non-participants candidates, by not showing up, that turned it into a Tony Pires Rally. The people who did attend now have more in depth knowledge of Mr. Pires’ views on important issues and a much more grasp of the issues at hand. 

Our thanks to Mr. Pires and Mr. Kass for showing up. We will never forget your kind gesture and will surely not forget the insult of the other candidates come September 10th. 

What an opportunity missed. If this is any indication as to how these potential future governors, who did not participate in our  forum, are going to treat the ethnic groups of our State, once they are elected, shame on them.

Do not under estimate the ethnic communities of Rhode island. We are not only the major workforce of all of the manufacturing and fishing industry in this state, but we also own and operate businesses, sit on important Boards and Commissions, have Representatives and Senators from our ethnic backgrounds, and have elected State officials to office, and most important we support this state with our  tax dollars who someday will pay  your salary. Mrs. York, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Cacieri, Mr. Bennett, Ms. Bolletta…  shame  on you!

Sincerely offended  and insulted,
Victor C. Santos President 
RI League of Luso-American Organizations

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