Haití and the Dominican Republic share the island of Hispañola, but have very strained relations The cause of these strained relations is history, starting from the arrival of Europeans.
I could go into a lot of detail here, but the main idea is that the Spanish inhabited the Eastern part of the island, while the French started a colony on the western part. Spain originally had a monopoly in the Caribbean, but due to competition from other countries and wars at home they had to cede part of their island officially to France. The two colonies developed independently, even though they relied on each other for trade.
Dominicans like to bring up the "invasión haitiana," a period between 1822 and 1844 when the Dominican side of the island was occupied by Haití. Heavy taxes and other restrictions were placed upon the Dominicans by Haitians in order to pay theri indemnity to France, part of the peace treaty signed when Haití declared its Independence in 1804.
I could go into a lot of detail here, but the main idea is that the Spanish inhabited the Eastern part of the island, while the French started a colony on the western part. Spain originally had a monopoly in the Caribbean, but due to competition from other countries and wars at home they had to cede part of their island officially to France. The two colonies developed independently, even though they relied on each other for trade.
Dominicans like to bring up the "invasión haitiana," a period between 1822 and 1844 when the Dominican side of the island was occupied by Haití. Heavy taxes and other restrictions were placed upon the Dominicans by Haitians in order to pay theri indemnity to France, part of the peace treaty signed when Haití declared its Independence in 1804.
Strained relations continued throughout the rest of the ninteenth century, and under the Dominican dictator Trujillo there were harsh sanctions against any Haitians in the Dominican Republic. in 1937, as part of an effort to whiten the country, Trujillo ordered a massacre of 10,000 Haitians near the Doimincan Haitian border.
There are also many economic factors. Haití is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, due to many factors: their debt to France, corruption and internal conflict, depletion of natural resources, rapid population boom, and embargoes among other reasons. The Dominican Republic, however, has a much healthier economy and a higher standard of living. Therefore, there have been many Haitians that cross the border between Haití and the Dominican Republic in search of work or a better life for their children.
There are also many economic factors. Haití is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, due to many factors: their debt to France, corruption and internal conflict, depletion of natural resources, rapid population boom, and embargoes among other reasons. The Dominican Republic, however, has a much healthier economy and a higher standard of living. Therefore, there have been many Haitians that cross the border between Haití and the Dominican Republic in search of work or a better life for their children.
Just like Americans don't openly accept undocumented Mexican workers, Dominicans have a strong opposition towards Haitian immigrants. Not only is there the history between the countries and hateful propaganda on both sides, but there is also a language barrier and racism.
For Dominicans, race is a big issue. Most Dominicans, I've noticed, when asked will say they are White or mulato (mixed). The average Dominian doesn't like te be associated with their African roots. In this country, the lighter someone's skin is the more likely that person is to be of a higher social class. Similarly, darker skinned Dominicans tend to be more working class. Thus, Haitians, which have very strong West African roots, are looked down upon for their skin color.
Last week I was in a concho with another Dominican man, about 25-30 years old. A dark haitian girl waves the concho down and she gets in, but the Dominican man obviously looked upset. Not more tan a minute later, the Dominican man told the concho driver to pull over, mumbled something under his breath, and stormed out of the concho and walked to get into another concho with only Dominicans.
Talking with Dominicans, especially older Dominicans, I feel that there is a lot of resentment and prejudices against Haitians. A fellow student's host mother was telling me about how Haitians are as a whole uneducated and sneaky and are only sapping the Dominican Republic of its resources meant for its citizens.
For Dominicans, race is a big issue. Most Dominicans, I've noticed, when asked will say they are White or mulato (mixed). The average Dominian doesn't like te be associated with their African roots. In this country, the lighter someone's skin is the more likely that person is to be of a higher social class. Similarly, darker skinned Dominicans tend to be more working class. Thus, Haitians, which have very strong West African roots, are looked down upon for their skin color.
Last week I was in a concho with another Dominican man, about 25-30 years old. A dark haitian girl waves the concho down and she gets in, but the Dominican man obviously looked upset. Not more tan a minute later, the Dominican man told the concho driver to pull over, mumbled something under his breath, and stormed out of the concho and walked to get into another concho with only Dominicans.
Talking with Dominicans, especially older Dominicans, I feel that there is a lot of resentment and prejudices against Haitians. A fellow student's host mother was telling me about how Haitians are as a whole uneducated and sneaky and are only sapping the Dominican Republic of its resources meant for its citizens.
However, in my experience the Haitians have been some of the nicest people in the country. There is large group of Haitian students enrolled at PUCMM where I take clases and all are open to talk and I join them in playing soccer every other week.
It's imposible to exlore all of the dynamics that race and history have in this country, especially in regards to Domincan Haitian Relations. Despite all of the prejudices and deportation efforts, the Dominican Republic was the first coutnry to take in refugees and send supplies over to Haití after their devastating earthquake in 2010.
It's imposible to exlore all of the dynamics that race and history have in this country, especially in regards to Domincan Haitian Relations. Despite all of the prejudices and deportation efforts, the Dominican Republic was the first coutnry to take in refugees and send supplies over to Haití after their devastating earthquake in 2010.