A-Rods 'nationality'

Spirit7 · #1 10-14-2004, 12:14 PM

I haven't seen anyone mention the brouhaha which has been going on in most of the Dominican press and radio/tv talk and call-in shows regarding
A-Rod introducing himself as 'USA' instead of 'The Dominican Republic' as many Dominicans expected or hoped.

As most of you may know, Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez was born in the USA to Dominican parents and in the Dominican Republic he has always been included with other legitimate Dominicans such as Sosa, Pujols, Tejada, Ramirez, Ortiz, etc., etc. Well, the bubble burst for many baseball fans and
now they are tearing into A-Rod and saying they will not care about his achievements any more.

Personally, I think if he was born in the US and is a US citizen and has only visited the DR on occassion he has every right to say USA, not DR. In fact, what does it matter anyways? Any opinions?

Larry · #2 10-14-2004, 12:35 PM

He was born in the USA and spent most of his life there. He is not a real Dominican like Sammy Sosa or David Ortiz. He is an American of Dominican heritage. I don't see what the uproar is about.

Larry

toneloc24 · #3 10-14-2004, 02:21 PM

It's all bullcrap. It's complete BS to try to call him a "gringo" now, and that's what it amounts to people wanting to do. People on these talk shows forget why they're here, to be American. To live the American life, the American dream, to earn decent wages to support a family.

I don't think ARod meant nothing derogatory about identifying himself as American. He is American, born and raised. He is of DR descent. I'm sure he is proud of that descent and identifies with it, but the fact is, he's American.

It's something I've dealt with all my life as my parents are from Caribbean islands, but I was born in NYC. I've gone back for summers there several times, and identify with Jamaicans and St. Kittians. I fly the flags, cook the food, drink the drink, understand the issues, and all. It's in my blood. Am I American or not?

For those folks who are chastizing him for saying that, I wonder why they feel such a need to label him. He represents both cultures. He's the product of Dominican parents who've made it here. He's their dream come true, stop being delusional. If his parents have no problem with it, why should anyone else? They've done what many Dominicans aspire to do, and their son has been very successful. I sincerely doubt they are ashamed of him.

xicadasilva1 · #4 10-14-2004, 02:40 PM

I think u are mistaken...not everyone is here with the sole purpose of becoming an American. I do agree with you that A-Rod is correct in stating that he is American. I don't believe people should feel as if he has denied his culture. they need to understand that he was born her,thus adapting the American life and nationality.

toneloc24 · #5 10-14-2004, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xicadasilva1

I think u are mistaken...not everyone is here with the sole purpose of becoming an American. I do agree with you that A-Rod is correct in stating that he is American. I don't believe people should feel as if he has denied his culture. they need to understand that he was born her,thus adapting the American life and nationality.

Okay, I generalized. My bad.

Not everyone's sole purpose is to be an American. But many leave the island for the opportunities afforded to Americans. To work as Americans do, to earn as Americans do, to live as Americans do, to provide for their families as Americans can do, to strive towards their aspirations as America allows. They're not coming to America for fun. They want a better life for themselves and their families. What they do when they retire or boatload of money is their decision, but they have lived an American life in America, no matter where they're from.

A-Rod just was able to make his family's dream come true. There were plenty of sacrifices made by his family, I'm sure, for him to get to where he is. I don't believe at all that he's turned his back on the DR, or is ashamed of his heritage. He was just stating the obvious.

Jozee74 · #6 10-14-2004, 03:25 PM

I was told that A Rod never knew who his father was is that true?? it was said that his Mom got pregnant with him and left to Florida without letting A Rod's father know that she was actually pregnant.

Music · #7 10-14-2004, 03:43 PM

I've had many discussions about this same sort of topic with my friends.
I myself born in Canada of Portuguese heritage. To be honest if somebody asks me where I'm from I say I'm Portuguese. Yes I was born in Canada but I was raised with Portuguese culture. My parents only speak the language they speak limited English. I eat the food, live in a the Portuguese community and just grew up with the culture around me. Just because I wasn't born in Portugal doesn't mean I'm not Portuguese.
If I was just to say I was Canadian it would be weird because all I've learned growing up is how to be a Portuguese!
But if someone asked me where I was born of course I'd say Canada.
So is he wrong I couldn't say it all depends on how he grew up. I don't know if he actually knows about his Dominican culture. But when it comes down to it he is Dominican it's in his blood no?

Guatiao · #8 10-14-2004, 04:44 PM

I believe he is an American, afterall we are all Americans, this is the Americas. He was born in the USA to Dominican Parents, he can officially get Dominican citizenship, so that makes him Dominican-American. He did know his father, Victor Rodriguez, he was a baseball player in the Dominican Leagues. A little known fact, Arods family moved to the Dominican Republic after he was born, so he at least touch Dominican tierra before becoming famous. (unlike Sanchez, *cough*)
Now is he pure Dominican? No. We dont know if he likes Merengue or Bachata, dance it, speak Dominican spanish, if he owns a house in DR, etc. But he is another form of Dominican, 1st generation-born Dominican-American.

Good Day,
CAPO

Mirador · #9 10-14-2004, 06:39 PM

This thing about nationalilty or national identity is all a political issue, and it is only relevant to politicians who exploit it... Also, I heard A-Rod signed a lucrative commercial sponsorship contract which binds him to state that his nationality is US.

Mirador

El Maestro 23 · #10 10-14-2004, 07:47 PM

I think he said the truth he is a US born Person so if the ask him to say your name and nationality that's what he is suppose to say. Sports Broadcasters in DR tend to create a hype only to make everyone believe that they know everyone and they are friends with everyone.
Now what people didnt like in DR was the fact that every time he goes there he says that is more DOMINICAN than the PLATANO itself AND when he came and said on the game that he was from USA then a lot of people saw it with the wrong eyes.

The fact is that he is an American, just like Felix Sanchez, Moises Alou and others that have Dominican Parents but are not DOMINICAN BORN IN THE ISLAND themselfs. So i think people should calm down see things for what they are and just carry on !

Just look at it this way, when someone asks in DR where are you from and you were born in "La Capital" but your parents where born in "Bani" you dont say im from BANI because your parent were born there, you say im from "LA CAPITAL" all the time. so it's the same thing. So people just chill and take it easy that my poor country is going trough a tough time to be thinking and concentrating on what a BASEBALL PLAYER SAID.