Quote:
Originally Posted by Chip
I am using the term "Dominican" in the same way "American" is used to describe the first inhabitants of what is now the Americas.
By the way, I think it can be proven that the term Dominican was used long before 1844, as this a term rooted in "Santo Domingo", the name of the colony for many centuries.
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I understand how you are using the terms, I am merely saying that it is incorrect to do so. "Native Americans" aren't American. Not because I am excluding them from the fabric of America, but because they were their before the political affiliation and therefore they are not Americans. It is a name we use to classify, but it is incorrect. How can you be something that wasn't a reality when you were alive? How can they be Americans, if America hadn't been American? Add to the fact that they didn't choose to be classified as Americans, but told so...
Furthermore, I agree, the word Dominican can be traced back a few hundred years. It is part of the religious heritage of the DR, but it doesn't reflect the value that was placed on the term after 1844, meaning that the Taino's weren't Dominican, although they lived in what would be the DR. Dominican Republic/Dominican is a socio-political term associated with a certain group of people and ideals that, in my opinion, the Tainos don't represent. And add to that the fact that they mostly all died out about 50 years after Columbus came, so....that's that.
Also, were is the OP? These topics tend to get good, but we need to OP to put his two cents in so that we don't get too off topic.
Mr. Lu