What makes the DR different from other Latina American countries?

[Chip00]

I was just pondering the DR and all of its pluses and minuses and what was wondering what makes the DR different from other Latina American countries.

For example, the DR has been relatively free of civil way and genocide(notwithstanding Trujullos ordered massacre of the Haitians) that has scarred many other countries in this region - for example what has happened/is happening in Colombia and Honduras etc.

There doesn't seem to be the class struggles found in other places like Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela etc. Is it because Dominicans are more "homogenous" in thinking even though racially they are diverse? To me Dominicans seem to be very "similar" in likes and experience, whether they be white, black, from the city, from the country rich or poor. Also, Dominicans to a man will tell you that one doesn't have to worry about the people here having major rebellions as long as they have a full stomach, rum and their music.

Will things continue or are we on the "cusp" for change maybe like other countries in the region?

[Funnyyale26]

Until someone can bring new ideas to change the whole system or until the poor one day wakes up and realizes that they can change things, everything will remain the same. When is this going to happen I don't know.


Reading the commentaries of various newspapers online, I have a feeling that if the Haitian problem is not dealt with, we will have serious problems...someone even mentioned that there could be a civil war because of this. But I don't live in the DR so I am not aware of what the situation is.

[Keith R]

Originally Posted by Chip00

For example, the DR has been relatively free of civil way and genocide(notwithstanding Trujullos ordered massacre of the Haitians) that has scarred many other countries in this region - for example what has happened/is happening in Colombia and Honduras etc.

Free of civil war? I'm curious, what do you qualify 1965 as?

[Mirador]

Originally Posted by Keith R

Free of civil war? I'm curious, what do you qualify 1965 as?

My grade school history textbook says the following, and I quote:

"What happened in 1965 was a violent confrontation between two competing military gangs. One of the military gangs committed the atrocious stupidity of distributing military weapons amongst the civilian population, convincing them, through shrill radio propaganda, that they were fighting against dictatorship and opression and wanted to bring back popularly elected president Juan Bosch back to office. Except for a few skirmishes around the city of Santo Domingo, particularly around the only bridge across the Ozama river, most of the country was oblivious to the confrontation. Then one of the military gangs, foreseeing defeat, called the U.S. Embassy and accused the other military gang of trying to install a Castro-communist regime in the DR. Two days later, 40.000 US Marines had landed, bringing order and an end to the confrontation."

[Chip00]

Originally Posted by Keith R

Free of civil war? I'm curious, what do you qualify 1965 as?

Good point. I would have to think that relatively speaking that it is mild compared to say Columbia or in Nicaraugua.

I have talked about it with people here including my Father in Law and they never has used the term "civil war" for this event. He was also quite thankful the US gov't stepped in to establish order.

[M.A.R.]

Originally Posted by Keith R

Free of civil war? I'm curious, what do you qualify 1965 as?

a tiny uprising, when you compare it to the civil wars in the rest of Latin America, like in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Colombia. The DR is paradise when you compare it to the rest of Latin America with so many different problems.

[Chirimoya]

A Dominican who also knew Central America quite well told me that a major difference between Dominicans and Central Americans was that Central Americans bore grudges for longer, while Dominicans were more prone to forgive and move on. She meant this in the context of historical alliances - not sure how well-founded it is. All the pragmatic (some might say treacherous) alliances between old enemies are not exclusive to the DR. Take Daniel Ortega, for example.

[aegap]

From having him steal his house, to serving as his vice president, lol.

[Chip00]

Originally Posted by Chirimoya

A Dominican who also knew Central America quite well told me that a major difference between Dominicans and Central Americans was that Central Americans bore grudges for longer, while Dominicans were more prone to forgive and move on. She meant this in the context of historical alliances - not sure how well-founded it is. All the pragmatic (some might say treacherous) alliances between old enemies are not exclusive to the DR. Take Daniel Ortega, for example.

You know this appears to be a possible plausible theory. For a supposedly somewhat "uncivilized" society(by some's definition) I'd say this may be one of the most important, civilized qualities a society should have.

I magine what would happen if say if this "outlook" caught on in the middle east? Heck, many there are still talking about revenge for wars and such that happened a millenia ago!

[Narcosis]

Originally Posted by Chip00

I was just pondering the DR and all of its pluses and minuses and what was wondering what makes the DR different from other Latina American countries.

?

One major trait is the authentic "love affair" Dominicans have with the USA and anything American, that spans all social and economic levels.

I have been to many countries in L.A. where it is the exact opposite.