Afro-Americans vacationing in DR

[Chip]

Originally Posted by juancuban

The fact in this world is "if you are not white, you are not right". Countries with mix races ie. Cuba, PR. DOM. Brazil, and so on, have color problems.
White skin rules, period. I lived in Hawaii for 12 years and if you had white skin from any race, you were okay. If you were black, forget it.

The funny thing I've seen here in the DR is the really dark Dominicans never talk like this among themselves, it's always the visitors or Dominicans who live abroad that visit here that say that. While some will certainly admit that they are called Haitiano playfully at times by others, that's as far as the dissent I've seen. BTW, most of my wife's family are "dark", too.

[Ezequiel]

Originally Posted by Chip

The funny thing I've seen here in the DR is the really dark Dominicans never talk like this among themselves, it's always the visitors or Dominicans who live abroad that visit here that say that. While some will certainly admit that they are called Haitiano playfully at times by others, that's as far as the dissent I've seen. BTW, most of my wife's family are "dark", too.

I

I agree with you Chip, my mother call her big brother el haitiano because he is a bit darker, nobody care, and it's not a big deal.

[Ricardo900]

Originally Posted by Chip

The funny thing I've seen here in the DR is the really dark Dominicans never talk like this among themselves, it's always the visitors or Dominicans who live abroad that visit here that say that.

You are right about that, they just live their lives and intermingle with people in their social groups, rather its hanging out with a group of friends in a tipico or in an upscale joint. They just go about their lives.

I would like to add that yes, the majority of people in high paying positions and other wealthier Dominicans are generally light skinned Dominicans so it's obvious that they will attend exclusive clubs and Dominicans who do not have the means will not go and pay those prices.

[nikke]

I am black, Canadian and I don't worry about race here. I've lived in Juan Dolio and San Pedro for over a year now. I don't worry about race at home either, but then again I have never lived in the US. I've never been mistaken for a Haitian either, maybe only over the phone with my accent.

My advice is learn as much Spanish as you can and be street smart. Don't do anything here that you would do back home, i.e. hitch-hike or walk around with your cell phone and wallet in your hand - there aren't any serious race issues to deal with here.

Please write us a trip report too...

[Chip]

Originally Posted by Ricardo900

I would like to add that yes, the majority of people in high paying positions and other wealthier Dominicans are generally light skinned Dominicans so it's obvious that they will attend exclusive clubs and Dominicans who do not have the means will not go and pay those prices.

I live here in the DR, and while light skin Dominicans seem to be disproportionaly represented in high paying positions, I doubt they are a majority. I base this on having met many wealthy dark business owners, professional and executives.

Part of the reason too why the lighter skin are able to get a foothold here is they have come from families with money and as you know, who you know here is very important in addition to having money, ie this is a classist issue.

A further example of this is the treatment I've gotton while riding my motorcycle by high class "dark" Dominicans in their US80k jipetas, their nearly have run me off the road. Not only that, my daughter tells me some of her classmates were making fun of me because I take here to school on the motorcycle, and there are few here in the DR who are as white as me.

[Bronxboy]

Originally Posted by Chip

Not only that, my daughter tells me some of her classmates were making fun of me because I take here to school on the motorcycle, and there are few here in the DR who are as white as me.

I think you have discuss this in a prior thread. I think the majority of posters were against this. (I think)

[DRob]

"Afro-Americans in DR."

Heh. Very entertaining thread.

I always get a kick out of reading posts from people who love to expound at length on a given subject, yet have a limited frame of reference on the subject matter.

No matter. A few notes. We haven't referred to ourselves as afro-americans in almost three decades. Those who knew more of (or about) us would know that. For the record, "african-american" is the primary term, though "black" and/or "true masters of the universe" would suffice. :^)

Also, I've traveled with other afro-americans , in every major town in DR. We've been all different shapes and sizes, colors and hues, with political and personal sensibilities ranging from republican to radical revolutionary, and we all have yet to encounter the "devastating" racism frequently discussed in this forum.

Maybe it was a bad night. Maybe your friends were dressed and acting like they were coming from a 50 cent video shoot. Maybe it was a number of things, but I don't think it was systemic racism that impeded their trip.

Does racism exist? Sure. Perhaps even more so than other countries. But it has a minimal effect on tourists of color, and sometimes can even be beneficial, as so many chicas really do seem to prefer non-anglos for dating of a non-transactional sort.

[margaret]

Chip: Kids can be cruel... fish-belly whiteness IS kind of freaky, you have to admit. I can totally relate to your experience of being driven off the road in the DR. When planner and I made our "blondes across the DR road trip" singing to Shania, Michel, Reyes, Tina Turner from POP to Boca Chica, we had the same experience. Transport trucks, motoconchos, jipetas, all getting too close for comfort. She had the perfect solution... "margaret, just blow some kisses at these morons, please!" It worked everytime... happily ever after.

My friend Roberto (afro-Cuban) loves the DR, wants to retire there and when he stays in a AI he sometimes chats up the European chicks who are there on vacation. A true master of the universe, he's conquering all the continents! I think the OP's friends will have a great time and meet a lot of wonderful people in the DR.