Introduction
As a Dominican student looking into this topic, I think the main idea is that many Dominicans deal with a mixed-up sense of who they are. People might see us as black when we come to the United States, but we often feel strongly Dominican first. This paper will look at how race, history, and culture come together to make identity not so simple. The thesis is that Dominican identity stays complicated because of past events like anti-Haitianism under Trujillo and how American ideas about race push against how Dominicans see themselves.
History and Anti-Haitianism Under Trujillo
Dominican history plays a big part in how race gets talked about. During Trujillo’s time in power, the government pushed ideas against Haitians to make Dominicans feel different. This anti-Haitianism meant leaders said Dominicans were not like black Haitians, even though many Dominicans have African roots too. It was a way to build a national story that put Spanish and white background first. This old way of thinking still affects how some Dominicans think about color today.
How Race Looks Different in the United States
When Dominicans move to the US, things change fast. In America, skin color often puts people into black or white boxes. But Dominicans might not see it the same way at home. Bailey writes that “Dominican immigrants often reject US racial categories that label them as black, preferring instead ethnic identifiers tied to their national origin” (Bailey, 2001, p. 692). This shows the clash between two ways of seeing race. Another point from the same work is that “the US system forces Dominicans to negotiate between their self-perception and external racial ascriptions” (Bailey, 2001, p. 685). These ideas help explain why feeling Dominican can feel at odds with being seen as black.
Personal and Cultural Identity Struggles
In the book Black Behind the Ears, the author talks about how Dominicans in places like New York handle these feelings. One quote says, “Many Dominicans maintain that their identity is rooted in cultural practices rather than phenotypic appearance” (Candelario, 2007, p. 112). This matches what Torres-Saillant says when he notes, “Dominican society has historically downplayed African ancestry in favor of a Hispanic narrative” (Torres-Saillant, 1998, p. 134). He also points out that “stages of racial identity in the Dominican Republic involve a gradual reckoning with blackness” (Torres-Saillant, 1998, p. 140). These points show that identity is not just one thing at once but a mix that changes with place and time.
Why This Matters for Dominicans Today
All of this makes it hard for young Dominicans to figure out where they fit. At home the focus is on being Dominican above race, but outside that changes. The old anti-Haitianism and US views both add pressure. Still, some people are starting to accept the full mix of their background. This can lead to better talks about race without ignoring culture.
Conclusion
In the end, the complexity of Dominican identity comes from history meeting new places. Being seen as black does not erase feeling Dominican, but it does create tension. Understanding sources like Bailey, Torres-Saillant, and Black Behind the Ears helps show why these issues stay important for people like me studying them.
References
- Bailey, B. (2001) Dominican-American Ethnic/Racial Identities and United States Social Categories. The International Migration Review, 35(3), pp. 677–708.
- Candelario, G.E.B. (2007) Black Behind the Ears: Dominican Racial Identity from Museums to Beauty Shops. Duke University Press.
- Torres-Saillant, S. (1998) The Tribulations of Blackness: Stages in Dominican Racial Identity. Latin American Perspectives, 25(3), pp. 126–146.
