FREE ESSAY ON DOMINICANS IN AMERICA

DOMINICANS IN AMERICA

Andre Washington
Wilbert Nelson
Sociology 140
December 13, 1999
Dominicans, America's Growing People for the New Millennium
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 United States. This may be due to the fact that since the time the
Dominican Republic was proclaimed in 1844 as a dictatorship, it has come under the attack
of bad political leadership, and civil strife. In 1899 the country was bankrupted by
civil strife after the murder of Ulises Heureaux, their dictator. Shortly after that the
country came under U.S. control. Even under U.S. control the country still suffered from
dictators with highly restrictive policies on leaving the island, and harsh economic
conditions. These terrible economic conditions only worsened and caused a gigantic influx
of immigrants from the Dominican Republic to the United States in the early 80's and even
more in the 90's (Hale-Benson, p. 97). The people came in groves to the United States
seeking more opportunities and a better life, but they soon learned that they would face
many of the same cultural, racial and ethnic barriers that other ethnic immigrants have
faced when seeking a new life in a new land. In this paper I will detail the hardships
Dominicans have suffered since their influx to America. Such as harsh economic problems
here in the U.S., almost worse than those faced in the Dominican Republic, lack of
quality and skilled job opportunities, due to a poor education, discriminatory barriers
they have been forced to endure and overcome, and various other obstacles that they have
had to surmount, all while striving to become a productive and contributing people here
in America.
New York City's fastest growing immigrant group are Dominicans, a Spanish speaking
people, flocking from the Dominican Republic to the United States, New York City in
specific. In 1980 the Dominican population in NYC was 125,380, in 1990 it was 332,713,
and today in 1999 it is an estimated 500,000 people. The only problem with this is
through the years of their migration to America, their per capita income has declined
precipitously. It seems as though when the Dominican population in America increases,
their income as a whole decreases. Nearly half of the Dominicans in NYC live below the
poverty level. In 1990 29% of Dominicans where on welfare. Of foreign people immigrating
to the U.S., only people from the former Soviet Union had a higher percentage of people
living on public assistance. From 1989 to 1996 their per capita income declined 23% to
$6,094 a year, in inflation adjusted dollars, while their poverty rate rose from 37% to
46%, that is almost double for the city as a whole. Unemployment also rose from 17.2% in
1990 to 18.8% in 1996 (Lopez, p. 3). The source of these severe economic problems
according to Internet site, Latino Link, are from a lack of a proper education and
skills, and their unusual young age.
6 out of every 10 Dominicans in the U.S. reside in New York City. Washington Heights,
located in upper Manhattan houses the largest Dominican population nationwide. Dominicans
make up 7% of NYC, but their children make up 12% of elementary age kids. On average
Dominicans are much younger in comparison to American's age in NYC. The average age for a
New Yorker is 36, compared to 24 for someone of Dominican Heritage. This plays a large
role in the problem they face when looking for skilled jobs. Researchers have said that
their young age places a major barrier when seeking jobs outside of the blue collar
market. Most Dominicans enter the full-time workforce here in America around age 16 or
17, no time at all for a proper education. 55% of the Dominican-American population has
not graduated from high school, and only 4% have obtained some type of college degree.
Dominican-Americans even have a relatively low education and skill level when compared to
that of Dominicans in the Dominican Republic. Like most other ethnic immigrants Dominican
adults need literacy and English language instruction while their children need better
schools. The vast majority of jobs filled by Dominicans are unskilled blue collar
positions. These positions require little or no formal education, and English skills are
almost un-needed. Factors such as these make it easy for Dominican-Americans to acquire
these jobs. But these same jobs, pay bare minimum, or below bare minimum wages .In 1998
the average wage for a Dominican-American was $12,810, which is a deep plunge below our
poverty level (Calderon, p. 134-136). As if these conditions were not an immense enough
problem for Dominican-Americans, they also face the discriminatory racial, cultural and
ethnic barriers, placed on them by America.
As a people striving for identification here in America, Dominican-Americans have had to
endure improper racial labeling, as had most people of color in American society. 2/3 of
Dominicans are of Afro-European decent and the smaller 1/3 of mainly African decent. The
key word in both descriptions of their ethnicity refer back to Africa for its roots. But
yet when having to identify with a racial group here in America, because they are a
Spanish speaking people society forces them to choose Hispanic or Latin, and deny their
African/Black heritage and roots. Physically Dominicans can range in color, from hues
possessed by the darker featured African-Americans, to the lighter toned
Mexican-Americans. With such a disparity in range of color and features, America has not
only made them deal with their lack of education, skills, and economic prowess, but also
with the stigma of separating and dividing them based on their difference of appearance
(Lopez, p. 12-15). Only recently here in America, have Dominicans now begun to separate
themselves along color lines. Dominicans of more European features and lighter skin tone
have had the privilege of the "white advantage" because they can pass for white, whereas
their darker featured Dominican brothers have had to suffer racial injustices typically
impressed upon Latinos and African-Americans. This one difference has caused a gap
between Dominicans that needs bridging. Organizations such as Alianza Dominicana,
Inc.(Dominican Alliance) and the Community Association of Progressive Dominicans, which
are located and work out of Washington Heights, New York, have been working towards
conquering this problem. These organizations are in place to help bridge the inter-race
relationship gap between Dominicans by working with both sides, to help Dominicans as a
whole overcome racial and economic oppression in America (DeAnda, p. 256-260).
Another factor contributing to the economic oppression of Dominican-Americans is the
gender problem within their community. The majority of Dominican families are headed by
single women with no man around to help out financially or emotionally. In 1990
households headed by women were at 41% and then jumped to 49% in 1996. This problem stems
from the stigma of immigrating to a new land mixed in with traditional Dominican values.
In Dominican culture men are seen as the providers. The problem starts when men move
their families to America, and for whatever reason, cannot seem to find stable employment
so that they may support their families. After they try and try and still cannot seem to
support their families, they become frustrated and end up running away from the problem
by leaving their families alone to fend for themselves. The emergence of all these single
mother Dominican household also contributes to their severe economic problem
(Hale-Benson, p. 59-61). As stated earlier most Dominicans when they arrive here in the
United States speak only Spanish and have no real education so the only jobs open to them
are blue collar positions. Such positions consist, of construction work, plumbing, repair
service, physical labor etc. These positions are typically not jobs women are considered
for. So because of the language barrier along with having no real skills, the only jobs
open to Dominican women are housewives, maids, cooks, and nannies. These jobs on average
yield a yearly salary of about $4- $7,000.00. This is hardly enough to support a family
on so many mother's are forced to become reliant upon public assistance (Lopez, p. 111).
Lately there has been an emergence of organizations such as The Dominican Women's
Development Center, which promotes empowerment of all Blatino(Black-Latino) women, not
just Dominicanas. This center provides job training, an English-as-a-Second Language
Program, counseling for HIV+ people, immigration services, exercise training, a smoking
cessation workshop and a Reike (healing method using hands) open house. There is also an
exhibit space where women can display their paintings and pottery (Ruiz, p.53).
Even though Dominican-Americans are making strides in trying to better their life, there
are still many negative stereotypes that persist about them. Once such stereotype that
seems to plague all people of color, is that their men are lazy and will not account for
their children. Another being that Dominican-American women do not want to work, but only
care to get money from the government with no efforts to better themselves. The most
silly of these stereotypes is that Dominican-Americans refuse to learn to speak English
and will continue to only speak Spanish. Organizations such as Mano y Mano are helping
young and old Dominican men to learn to cope with the transition of moving to America and
the hardships of finding a job, while staying with their wife, girlfriend, family, etc.
and learning to accept praise and support from their women without feeling that they have
compromised their manhood. Mano y Mano hopes to achieve its goals through workshops,
presentations, retreats and any other method that will help Dominican men cope with
family life in America. La Familia Unida Day Care is an organization that is fixed on
helping Dominicanas, by providing day care, offering ESL classes, and by providing job
placement listings so that Dominican women can become somewhat self efficient and not
depend on the government for funds and assistance. The Dominican Chamber of Commerce is
working feverishly to dispel the myth that Dominican immigrants do not want to learn
English. Dominicans have a strong drive and ambition to learn English, but as grown
adults it is hard to find ESL classes that are convenient and can be worked around their
work schedules. Dominican Immigrants know that without English they cannot succeed in
this country. So the Dominican Chamber of Commerce has set up evening ESL classes, and
day care establishments so that Dominicans can have the time to learn English. They also
offer other classes that will assist Dominicans in adjusting to life in America
(Hale-Benson, p.186). Also with the new age of computers and technology, different
Dominican organizations have utilized the world wide web in finding resources to aid
their cause. They have also used the Internet to network with different Blatino
professionals in the community to come in and speak in the workshops and forums they
host. Websites have been set up , so that the Internet will feel the presence of Blatinos
in America. These websites also establish a grassroots foundation for Dominicans and
other Blatino groups to seek out support and let them know that they are not alone
(Lopez, p.142).
Regardless of all the major setbacks and obstacles Dominicans have had to face, they
still have had a positive impact on American society. The easiest most recognizable
contribution Dominicans have made is in the field of baseball. Many Dominicans have come
to play major roles in American baseball. One such player that stands out is Sammy Sosa
of the Chicago cubs, who was running neck and neck in the home run race with Mark
McGwire. Also Ozzie Virgil became the first Dominican native to reach the major leagues,
joining the Giants in 1956. Since that time, nearly 200 Dominicans have made an impact on
the major leagues. In 1983, Juan Marichal became the first Dominican native to be named
to the Hall of Fame. The legacy of Dominican players in the major leagues is very rich,
and there are still many making history now. Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez, 27, signed
the most lucrative contract in baseball last year, getting $75 million over the next six
years. Sammy Sosa of the Cubs, with a June-long burst of home runs, put himself in the
race to break Roger Maris single-season home run record (Calderon, p.263). But Dominican
contributions are not only found in the sports arena. In New York City and New Jersey
there are over 23,000 business owners, 6,000 grocery stores, 500 supermarkets, 1,200
beauty salons, all Dominican owned. These business help contribute to the economy with an
influx of new money (DeAnda, p.155). 
Dominicans have also began to show their political power. Guillermo Linares has become
the first Dominican-born elected official in the United States. In 1979 he developed the
first Dominican non-profit organization, the Community Association of Progressive
Dominicans. He was also elected three times to the school board, where he advocated for
construction of schools. In the last five years, 10 of those schools have been built.
Also New York State Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat won a narrow victory over John Muraugh
last November, thus becoming the first Dominican-American to be elected as state
legislator. His victory was credited with the growing political influence of naturalized
Dominican citizens in the area. Dominicans are taking charge of their communities by
running for public office and becoming more involved with American politics to help
better Dominican life in this country (Calderon, p.79)
One of the most important contributions made to American society undoubtedly is the
influx of new thoughts, ideas, practices and culture into main stream America. Right now
America is seeing the biggest out pour of Latin talent in the entertainment/fashion
industry. Oscar de la Renta is a well known, wealthy Dominican born designer. The
influence of most of his designs are from his homeland of the Dominican Republic (Lopez,
p.210). Musician Juan Luis Guerra has also scored high with the American public with his
Latin infused rhythms. The new ideas, culture, music, and positive and productive
citizens, are the most unique contributions that Dominicans have offered to the United
States. Thus sometimes changing the way some of us view life, and handle various other
situations (Calderon, p. 49).
Dominican-Americans suffer the hardships most new ethnic immigrants face when entering
into America. Harsh economic problems, lack of quality and skilled job opportunities,
discriminatory barriers, and various other obstacles are all very real problems
Dominicans face while striving to become a productive and contributing people to America.
Dominicans are a relatively new ethnic immigrant group, and have not had an abundant
amount of time to establish themselves here as a positive group. But within the short
time that Dominicans have been calling America home, they have managed to take what they
were given and make the best of it. Through various organizations such as Alianza
Dominicana, Inc., the Community Association of Progressive Dominicans, The Dominican
Women Development Center, and Mano y Mano, along with such caring and passionate
political leaders as Guillermo Linares, and Adriano Espaillat Dominicans have taken a
giant step in the right direction for breaking negative stereotypes and making their
presence a positive one here in America. As a person of color, I can deeply sympathize
with what Dominicans are going through today. I also stand and applaud them for their
courageous efforts to turn a bad situation into a good one. I think an important thing we
as Americans can do to ease the problems Dominicans or immigrants to this country in
general is to make them feel welcome here. First we must understand what it is they go
through when coming from another country to live here, and adjust to a new language.
Classes like Sociology 140, are a great start to understanding different people and the
problems they face. But I don't think we should stop there. Take a history class
different from your own background. Expand your horizons and don't limit yourself to what
you see around you. Become a global citizen and become involved in different
organizations, or start an organization in your community to help new immigrants cope
with living in a new country. If more people would take the time to better understand
what, where and why different groups have the problems that they face, they would
understand that they share many of the same problems. A shared understanding, or a single
thread in common is sometimes all it takes to bridge a gap between nations, and to see
beyond your own line of understanding. If everyone just took time to try one of these
simple suggestions, as a nation we would be much stronger and more unified. We can come
together through our differences. A simple, over used statement, but usually ignored and
not listened to, can help put us on the right track for the next Millennium.
Bibliography
Works Cited
Bronx Beat. Online. Internet. 11 Nov. 1999 Available:
http://Bronx-beat.jrn.columbia.edu/indices/021698/latino.html
Calderon, Andres. Afro-Latins in America-Revised Edition. Baltimore, MD: Brigham
Young University Press, 1982.
DeAnda, Diane. Consideration of Racial Issues at Play. Boston, MA: Beacon Press, 1997.
Herrea-Benson, Janice. Latin Americans in America. New York, NY: Oxford University 
Press, 1995.
Latino Link. Online. Internet. 3 Dec. 1999 Available:
http://www.latinolink.com 
Lopez, Omar. Growing up Dominican. New York, NY: Anchor Press, 1998.
Ruiz, Delia. Women of Color in Modern Society. New York, NY: Harper and Row Press, 1992.