I have often written, both here on this site and across social media, about my Dominican heritage and my pride for the same.
And today I want to write something a little different that I hope you will read as well.
I grew up heavily influenced, in all that this means, by the Dominican culture. My grandfather served as an artillery specialist in the army of Rafael Trujillo, the most violent dictator in our Dominican history. Trujillo held power for 30 years, his crimes, mostly against Haitians, greatly ignored by the foreign governments and entities who sought to profit from industrialization and commerce opportunities in that country. How close were my grandparents to this man? Enough to make him my father’s godfather. I mention this to say that I know quite a bit about his ideologies.
Trujillo’s greatest cause was to “lighten the race”, a message I heard growing up my entire life, even as recent as my announcement of my engagement to my white husband. “Oh, that’s wonderful,” my father said as he smiled on, “You will help to lighten the race.” It makes me sick to my stomach to even think that anyone would think that this was my intention.
But my own black heritage is clear in simply looking at me. Ask my family about our heritage and they will claim everything from Spanish to Arabian, completely glazing over the Haitian and African influences that I know are there from my grandfather’s side.
And though the racial composition of Dominicans is diverse, it is impossible to deny (though many do) our black ancestry, much of it derived from the African slaves that were brought into the country by Spanish conquistadores after many of the indigenous people started to die off from disease and abusive working conditions imposed on them.
“Africans proved to be stronger, more solid workers and withstood a lot more than the natives ever could.” These are words I read in books as a child when learning about the history of the country while in school in the Dominican Republic. (I studied there from 7th to 12th grade.)
Over the years, Haitians have come into the country both illegally and as cheap labor for the larger corporations, both national and international. Like many low-income immigrants across the world crossing borders, many Haitians do the work that most Dominicans won’t do, such as cut sugar canes, work on farms, or clean or build houses.
Tracking down the history of my family has proven to be almost impossible because the paper trail ends after a certain point. This is because there has never been an organized system of record keeping. Like many Latin American countries, war, revolution, lack of infrastructure, and lack of funds make it impossible to sustain a system such as this in many areas of the country. Add this to the corruption of many whose responsibility is to manage, organize, and maintain the validity, accuracy, and order, and what you have is a failing system that makes it hard for anyone unable to pay “under the table” for favors to get past the red tape.
Imagine then, what it must be like for the descendents of many Haitians legally born in the country in extremely impoverished areas, who are trying to get proof of their citizenship in light of the recent demands of the government to do so or face deportation.
This broken, corrupt system, coupled with the prevalent racism against blacks, Haitians in particular, has led to a series of human rights violations by the government as well as by many Dominican citizens. I have seen videos taken by Dominicans, of Haitian-Dominicans being dragged out of their homes, tossed onto the streets like animals, being threaten with hanging, being beaten with bats, punched, and kicked, their homes destroyed and vandalized, as hateful, racist comments are yelled at them and their children. I have seen Dominican citizens do this as the police stand by and do little to stop it. And it has broken my heart and even made me cry because we are not all like this, yet the sound of our protest hasn’t been loud enough.
I feel a great responsibility, both as a travel blogger and a Dominican-American to speak up about what is happening in my country. I have promoted the Dominican Republic as a country of friendly people, where hospitality and customer service goes above and beyond. I have shared the smiles of those whom have provided me with access to experiences that have made me proud to tell the world to come and see my homeland.
I have loved sharing those things about my heritage that make me proud. But this time, I have to talk about that which is breaking my heart.
But today I am not so proud, nor am I so eager to welcome others to visit.
What is happening in the Dominican Republic is an outrageous act against a community that has been the backbone of our nation.
Some of the most graphic and jarring stories that I read as a child was the government sponsored genocide of 1937 called Parsley Massacre, where Dominican troops would ask a black citizen to say the word “parsley” in Spanish, and if there was a hint of Creole accent in the pronunciation, they would be shot on the spot. 30,000 Haitians were killed this way. We have a river, called the Massacre River, where Haitians have been known to pass when crossing the border. Over the period of 2 days, also in 1937, it is written that the river turned red as Dominican soldiers slaughtered Haitian men, women, and children whom they came across.
So often we want to move on from the past. Move forward, learn, grow, and be better. But it seems the recent events in the Dominican Republic are taking steps backwards. Steps that remind me too much of incidents I read in history books and comments and remarks I grew up listening to.
So forgive me my dear readers if this post is too political or too graphic for your liking. I know these things are not popular positions and can be a sensitive stance to take. I know that often times the general opinion is that we, as professionals, simply stay quiet and have no comment.
But this is my history, this is the country of my family, and these are my people.
And though I won’t go as far as asking you to not visit the Dominican Republic, I do want to make you aware of what is happening there now and the history behind it. Because the cruelty and abuses are not ones that I can be silent about. I know the kind of travel blogger I want to be, and though sharing the beauty of the world is definitely the most fun part of my job, if I can’t talk about the things that aren’t so beautiful especially when they affect me so personally, then I am not really sure what the point of all of this would be.
Thank you for reading.
Update: Dominicans have taken to social media to protest against the Dominican governments treatment of Haitian-Dominicans. Follow hashtag #WeTooAreDominican.
For more information, please see video below from Human Rights Watch’s article.
Dania Santana
Thank you for writing this piece Carol. I’m heartbroken as well. However, it also pains me that this issue in social media has been taken to the other side of the spectrum by labeling all Dominicans as racists. You know the high rates of illiteracy and lack of education that exists which makes the violence exacerbate making things worse. Also, a faulty government doesn’t help. But, the message that is been sent systematically is that ALL Dominicans are racists, and I lived there for 26 years of my life and visit often. There is racism, but like here in the US, and other countries, there are Dominicans also against the government decisions, people who are caring, non-violent, people who are hiring Haitians and treating them with dignity. What worries me the most is that with sharing images from movies and violent videos from outside the Dominican Republic, people are making things worse, they are increasing the hatred on both sides and because hate, racism and discrimination come from a place of ignorance, all those voices that are “trying to help” by calling all Dominican racists are creating more violence within the island. Unlike you, who know more of the history, for many this is just sharing another story, another image, without knowing the reality or the consequences of exaggerations and hatred towards an entire nation.
caincarol
Dania SantanaThank you Dania. This is why I didn\’t share those violent videos I have watched of Dominicans acting such horribly. That being said, I want those Dominicans you speak of, that I also know exist, to be more vocal and more active in protesting and fighting for our country. This isn\’t new. This has been such a solid part of the country\’s history. It\’s time for people to step up and speak up and demand change. Tolerance and excuses are no longer acceptable. If we want to take back the narrative then we have to speak up and against for what is wrong. If we don\’t, we can\’t complain about others taking the story from us. I am hoping that my story is spread far wide enough to open the minds of people and inspire action and change.
hotmamatravel
Thank you for sharing. I had no idea this was going on and a appreciate you shedding light on this awful situation. When things like this are kept in the shadows of the masses it only leaves room to get worse. Starting the conversation is so important.
caincarol
hotmamatravelThank you for reading and, yes, awareness is so incredibly important.
kemkem
Wow! What a powerful post. I am so glad you wrote this. People need to know. When l first heard about it, l was gobsmacked! What is happening to “humans” of the world and why is there a race to the bottom from so many places in the world? I feel we are headed to some horrible boiling point in the not so distant future. I have visited the D.R and found it a beautiful place with warm people. So sad that this is happening. I wouldn’t visit in the near future if l had a chance. I hope things get better, but l fear it’s not. 🙁
caincarol
kemkemI think the process will be slow, but I have to hold out faith that things will change. I broke the cycle of racism and self hate in my Dominican family for my children, and I know there are many others out there who are doing the same. That\’s where my faith lies.
Deborah Gaye
This is a great article Carol. We are nothing if we are not authentic. I just came back from a week in the DR and I have been toying with the idea of writing a post on Tripadvisor. This was not my first visit to the DR but I am sad to say, it will probably be my last. I am a Jamaican woman living in the US and like yours, the racial composition of my homeland is extremely diverse. Most of the Jamaicans I know, identify themselves as Black people regardless of the shade of their skin color, or, the predominance of features characteristic of other races. I was fortunate to grow up with a father who was an airline pilot who exposed us to much worldwide travel. As an adult I am blessed to be able to take my own children all over the world because I believe that nothing quite opens a child’s mind like travel and experiencing other cultures. This year, we visited Dreams La Romana. The resort itself was absolutely beautiful and the beach was gorgeous. Your country is indeed quite beautiful. I had planned the trip well in advance of realizing what was going on politically in the DR and was not in a position to change course so we went, determined to enjoy our vacation. I don’t think, in all my travels, I have ever tried to dissuade someone from visiting any place. That stops now. From the second day of our vacation it was clear that the employees/staff at the resort have a very big hang up about color and that was regardless of whether they themselves were of a dark or light complexion. From the employee at the spa who, despite being advised in my presence, that my husband and I had an appointment, completely ignored us but literally tripped over herself to attend the needs of the White guest who showed up for an appointment after us; to the waiters in the restaurants whose pace of service seemed to quicken with the lightness of one’s skin; to the sales staff in the lobby trying to sell us timeshare who, although two shades darker than me, insisted I could not be Jamaican because I was “not black, but was white like her” to the gentleman at the water sports hut who thought the best way to get my husband’s attention was to yell “Black boy! Black boy!’ it was continuous and would be laughable if it weren’t so disheartening. This type of behavior was pervasive throughout the property. We typically go off property to explore the local culture but we certainly were not going to take our children into any other part of the country after fully comprehending how singularly obsessed with skin color so many of the people are. How can a country full of African/Haitian heritage be so blind that they do not see they are hurting their own? I made no bones about making my complaints known and for that reason I have been refunded some of the money I paid for my vacation. I am not done yet though. We would have spent money on excursions and souvenirs and in local restaurants etc., but we would not leave the property to do that, and that is a direct result of how we were made to feel. I realize that I am only one person, one voice, but if the government does not start doing something to address the injustice that some Dominicans are committing against Haitian Dominicans or dark skinned Dominicans, and start doing something to eradicate the pervasive ignorance of the Dominicans who think this type of attitude is acceptable, I fear the country will lose a whole lot more than just the citizens they are trying to expel.
caincarol
Deborah GayeOh Deborah. I\’m so sorry. I wish I could say I am surprised. But sadly, I am not. We are, all of Latin-America, very much obsessed with race.