Being A Dominican Essay

In America today, there is a large and diverse African-American population. Within this population, there are several ethnic groups. The other ethnic group similar to Afro-Americans is Dominicans. Not only are they both minorities, but they also look similar as well. Both Dominicans and Afro-Americans are originally from Africa, but their slave masters separated them into two different cultures. African-Americans was African slaves of Americans, and Dominicans were African slaves of the Spanish. Hevesi of the New York Times says, "Dominican and Afro-Americans culture was formed from one ethnicity, Africans" (Hevesi 86). As a person of these two ethnic groups, I have two perceptions of my dual ethnicity. Among Afro-Americans’ and

This presentation will explain the differences and similarities, if any, in the countries of Spain and Puerto Rico’s. The presentation will show the differences and similarities between the two countries arts, culture, and economic environment. The presentation will show how both countries have a assimilation of cultural and distinctiveness. Even though both countries have similarities and differences, they both have one thing in common, and that is they are Spanish-speaking countries with an array traditions, culture, and diversity amongst the people, that will be talked about in this presentation.

As I mentioned above, the government is run the same way, both countries have beautiful beaches and resorts, and much more. To compare differences, if you lived in the Dominican Republic compared to the U.S., you would be 2.1% more likely to be unemployed, make 81.63% less money, be 5.8% times more likely to be murdered, use 89.61% less electricity, die 1.76 years sooner, be 16.67% more likely to have HIV/AIDS, and have 41.36% more babies- just to name a few! That’s crazy! It tells us how fortunate we are here in the states to have great nurses and doctors as well as stable jobs and good

Within the unique culture of the Dominican Republic, the complex heritage of Arawak, Spanish, African, and French lore, is unique to the Dominican Republic compared to other Caribbean islands. Moreover, the country maintains close ties with the United States. Currently, the people of the Dominican Republic are striving to build a democracy against the unscrupulous and authoritarian politically privileged leadership. A large element that shapes Dominican national identity is its Spanish heritage. Currently in this country, light skin color, which is marked to reflect European ancestry, is valued, while dark skin tones indicate West African slave ancestry. The Roman Catholic cathedrals still are in existence and the majority of the population

When arriving to the Dominican Republic it was as if a whole new world opened up to me. Puerto Plata was full of different changes; the streets were full of wandering animals, there wasn’t as many cars as there is back home, and mopeds were racing with several people on them at a time. The differences that I experienced were nothing that I have seen before. America is in constant expansion of technology while the Dominican is further set back. When you travel to different parts of the world you begin to see how people live their lives differently. The culture along with the aspects of living are completely different from what we are used to seeing in our everyday lives.

The main component to being Hispanic is family. With a positive attitude family you can accomplish anything you dream of. Being Hispanic means a lot to my family and we show our culture with pride to the community we live in. Growing up with immigrant parents was not easy at first. There was a constant struggle in my childhood years. However, with the help of my family, I have learned to strive for success. My parents have always thought me to focus on school over everything. Which is why my life has revolved around academics. School has been very important in my life because I strive to become a doctor. My education has been outstanding with surprising accomplishments such as graduating high school in three years and obtaining my associates

In the Dominican culture, when it comes to illness and health, there is no real explanation as to why people get sick. Some believe illness is caused by natural factors such as a dysfunction in the body; others believe illness is due to supernatural causes such as punishment from evil ancestral spirits or somebody sends the evil spirits after them to harm them. When asked about views of health and illness, she stated that most Dominicans interpret health as being up, active and not being in bed where one is unable to take care of his or her self. Many Dominicans believe that if you are not in bed, therefore you are healthy. Many Dominicans believe in folk practice to promote health, for example: a problems that are seen as natural and spiritual are treated with prayer and ritual. Problems that are believed to be supernatural are treated with the help of a witch, healer, or a voodoo priest. For instance, the Catholics practice Spiritism and Santeria by praying the saints to grant them favors and heal them. Some may consult a healer who usually enters in contact with the saint spiritually to ask the saints

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the culture and beliefs of four Hispanic groups. The groups I have chosen to cover are: Puerto Rican, Mexican, Dominican and Cuban. Included in the paper will be each group’s linguistic, social, economical, political, familial and religious ties or beliefs.

The first instance of colonialism forced upon the inhabitants of the Dominican Republic was the “discovery” by Christopher Columbus on October 12, 1492. Ernesto Sagas and Orlando Inoa presented the interaction in their book The Dominican People: A Documentary History. The confrontation between these two diametrically opposed cultures proved to be “far from equal; the Amerindians’ Stone Age culture was no match for European military technology. The initial encounter took place on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, part of which is now the Dominican Republic” (Inoa pg. 1). This was the first step in a trek through five and a half centuries of Dominican Republic history, and unfortunately much of it was filled with

“No te quede en el sol por mucho tiempo te va poner negro” Don't stay in the sun for too long you’ll get black.Those are words that I have heard while growing up. Growing up in a Dominican household the culture and beliefs are really strong. A culture that has been passed down through generations. A culture that has been accepted, however just because it's my culture doesn't mean that I have to accept it. In my family, lighter is better, more beautiful. It's not only my family, in Dominican culture being light skin tone is usually related to beauty and success. However, I don't agree with that, the color of your skin doesn't decide if you will be successful. It is who you are that decides that. It is hard to try to talk to the family about

The Dominican Republic or also known as La Republica Dominicana is a small island that is 18,816 square miles, located off the coast of Florida. The Dominicans of this land share their island with the Haitians. The island has a subtropical climate, mountains, rolling hills, and fertile river valleys. The economy is mainly dominated by sugar, which still earns much of the country's foreign exchange despite establishment of varied light industries and the development of nickel, mining and tourism. Coffee, cocoa, tobacco, and bananas are also a major export crop. But, despite their seemingly stable economy, and lush landscaping, a vast majority of the estimated 8,603,200 people that live there wish to migrate to the

The Latinos in my class differed in the way that they were proud to say they were Puerto Rican, Mexican, and Dominican. Thus, I pursued a relationship with these classmates and I began to feel differently about Latinos. I realized that I was taking part in the prejudice thoughts my previous classmates had toward Latinos by concealing my identity. I also recognized that Latinos were struggling to pursue a better life and that we are looked down upon. As a result of discrimination, it is difficult for us to accomplish our goals in life. Presently, every opportunity I get, I talk about my culture. I discuss the hardships Latinos face and I describe my experience growing up Puerto Rican. Although I am Puerto Rican, I don't know as much about my culture as I should. Reading Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America by Juan Gonzalez has brought new insights to my knowledge of Puerto Ricans and Latinos in general. Gonzalez focuses on language and writes that speaking Spanish is treated as a handicap instead of as an asset.

Let me start of by saying, there is no reason why anyone wouldn’t want to become a Dominican. Dominicans have strong beliefs in resurrection. Their religion customs were brought to their island by Spanish colonist. The Dominican Island is a very beautiful Island full of friendly people. The Dominican flag colors are red, blue and white, in the middle of their flag they have a bible. The culture is unique and follows an old tradition, They have a history of native Tainos and Africans which were the ones who repopulate. Dominicans influence their tourist places with Taino souvenirs. Their people love tourist, mostly Americans. Every Dominican dream for some reason is to come to the U.S. Other than the U.S. having benefits for everyone and being a multicultural country their Island is

Morales talks about Puerto Rican cultures by explaining what Caribbean people like to do: eat, sing, how they have different ways to dance and enjoy different types of music. “I am Caribeña, island grown. Spanish is in my flesh, ripples from my tongue, lodge in my lodge in my hips; the language of garlic and mangoes, […] (Morales 1174). She associates with those specific tastes and her home culture. Food is an important element of cultural identity.

The Dominican Center at Marywood in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has a variety of art peppered through the halls, dated as far back as the mid 1800s. The center’s art is mostly created by the Dominican sisters. The Center also maintains a Sculpture Garden and a Prairie Habitat, both nature-walks through the woods and around the pond. Much of the art did not tell of the history, in fact, some pieces the artist was unknown, even so, the Dominican art is worth exploring.