Dominicans and Haitians
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- Date Submitted: 01/08/2013 12:40 PM
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Dominicans and Haitians
Few countries geographically close and as distinct culturally as Dominican Republic and Haiti yet there are many similarities between them. The Dominican Republic and Haiti were once colonies both having African roots, although one denies having African roots and the other acknowledges. Many Dominicans perceive their European/Hispanic identity to be superior. Dominicans became Dominicans after the Haitian occupation. By then the Dominicans were no longer Spanish, they were also to a large extent African in origin although the Spanish strain predominates. (Bell, 1981)
When people are secure within their own identity, they tend to act with greater flexibility and openness to those of other cultural backgrounds. However, if people receive negative or distorted images of their ethnic group, they often develop a sense of inferiority, even self-hate, that can lead to aggressive behavior and discrimination toward outsiders. (Hines, 2005)
Dominican Republic and Haiti both gained their independence from colonial rulers in the first half of the 19th century. Dominican Republic being a democracy with a strong multi-party political system. Dominican Republic and Haiti share a relationship of unease which has is often characterized by suspicion and fear.
Haiti is the only country to be considered in Latin American, but language and culture is predominantly French. The population of the Haitian people is predominantly of African descent. The literacy rate, life expectancy, and other social indicators compare unfavorably with the figures from the Dominican Republic. This is not a surprising factor since Haiti has a low per capita income in ‘Latin America and is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. This represents a drastic change from Haiti, which was once the richest French colony. (Dash,...
Dominicans and Haitians
Few countries geographically close and as distinct culturally as Dominican Republic and Haiti yet there are many similarities between them. The Dominican Republic and Haiti were once colonies both having African roots, although one denies having African roots and the other acknowledges. Many Dominicans perceive their European/Hispanic identity to be superior. Dominicans became Dominicans after the Haitian occupation. By then the Dominicans were no longer Spanish, they were also to a large extent African in origin although the Spanish strain predominates. (Bell, 1981)
When people are secure within their own identity, they tend to act with greater flexibility and openness to those of other cultural backgrounds. However, if people receive negative or distorted images of their ethnic group, they often develop a sense of inferiority, even self-hate, that can lead to aggressive behavior and discrimination toward outsiders. (Hines, 2005)
Dominican Republic and Haiti both gained their independence from colonial rulers in the first half of the 19th century. Dominican Republic being a democracy with a strong multi-party political system. Dominican Republic and Haiti share a relationship of unease which has is often characterized by suspicion and fear.
Haiti is the only country to be considered in Latin American, but language and culture is predominantly French. The population of the Haitian people is predominantly of African descent. The literacy rate, life expectancy, and other social indicators compare unfavorably with the figures from the Dominican Republic. This is not a surprising factor since Haiti has a low per capita income in ‘Latin America and is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. This represents a drastic change from Haiti, which was once the richest French colony. (Dash,...