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It's funny how it's considered amazing how the mainstream is surprised that all black people are not alike. West Indians come to this country with the same vim and vigour of immigrants from any other place. I was raised with second generation friends from eastern Europe, east Asia, South Asia and Latin America and all of us found that what we had in common was the way our parents imbued us with a drive to succeed.

Don't get me wrong-- I've met plenty of Americans black and white, etc., who's parents have been here for generation upon generation who have done well-- but the drive is different.

Leonard, I wouldn't agree that West Indians are "more likely" to live around natives. That might be Bed-Stuy, but it's not Flatbush or the Northern Bronx which are predominantly West Indian.

My parents came from Jamaica 40 years ago, and my sisters and I were born here. I find that my cousins and peers (from a similar background) are very successful, with college and often graduate degrees. The percentage of success stories seems to be higher than in the African-American (native ) population.

In looking at post-1965 immigrants and their progeny, do the authors make note of the fact that the Immigration Act of 1965 for the first time instituted a numerical quota on the Western Hemisphere -- one that is still in effect?