BY C.G.
New York City— The concrete jungle where dreams are made of—is my home. With its immense buildings, bright city lights and people everywhere, my home city takes pride in recognizing, that it is in fact, “the city that never sleeps”. Being from Uptown, NYC—the culture around me reinforces that of my motherland: The Dominican Republic. With patelitos (Dominican empanadas) being sold in almost every bakery and habichuelas con dulce (sweet beans) becoming a holiday pick-up tradition, it is apparent that my culture is on the rise. But… how did Dominicans embrace the creation of space in NYC after all?
February is Dominican Heritage month—concluding on Feb. 27 with Dominican Independence Day. Many U.S. Dominicans streak this month with the remembrance of their motherland’s independence from Haiti. Being that more than half of the Dominicans living in the United States were not born here, compared to 35 percent of Latinos overall—it is truly compelling the amount of vigorous Dominican space that reside in NYC; of that nearly half of those who immigrated have been in the United States for more than 20 years. Yeah, that’s about right! Could you believe that the Dominican population has grown so fast that it has surpassed the Puerto Rican population. According to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey— there are about 747,000 Dominicans and 714,000 Puerto Ricans in the U.S.
Although, I’m sure assimilation in the United States probably wasn’t the easiest. In the early 1900s, many Dominicans faced prejudice, especially from other Latina/o/x groups. This intermediate conflict limited opportunities for Dominicans ranging from living spaces to job opportunities—many stereotypes, set them back. Like “Newcomers in the city of Los Angelees” by George Sanchez—in which referenced Mexicans ascertaining themselves in groups, Dominican Newcomers in the Big Apple, began establishing themselves in large groups—essentially creating large ethnic communities in which still are very much potent, with the same energy today. Today, places like Washington Heights are notorious for preserving Dominican heritage. Selling patelitos @ almost every corner en El Auto Manhattanand bodegas owned by Dominican entrepreneurs, blasting Anthony Santos’ bachata in the background as you shop for platanos with “3 FOR $1” signs behind them—that influx of Dominican-ness in areas like Wash-Heights validate that although Dominicans struggled with creating space—the power of perseverance and hustle—helped overcome milestones and are still evidently prevalent, in my life today.
Sources:
Sanchez, George. "Newcomers in the city of Los Angelees"
US Census Bureau. "American Community Survey (ACS)." Census Bureau QuickFacts. January
31, 2019. Accessed February 11, 2019. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/.
The first paragraph captivated my attention through the vivid imagery. You mention that Dominicans faced prejudice from other Latinos/a/x. It didn't really occur to me this would have been the case; great point. It was also interesting to learn that there are more Dominicans in the U.S. than Puerto Ricans now - do you think there are specific reasons why that is?
ReplyDeleteWell the reason why Puerto Ricans started to migrate more was when they were given citizenship (basically a free entrance to the U.S). Dominicans still had to go through a process to be able to enter the country as a resident not even a citizen and like C.G. said "... more than half of the Dominicans living in the United States were not born here, compared to 35 percent of Latinos overall" its an example to that. At the end of the day all immigrants come to this country with goal and that is for life betterment but most of them are blind to the fact that it is very hard to have a life here as well.
DeleteGreat share. I had no idea that the Dominican population surpassed the Puerto Rican population. It's interesting how we have discussed the struggles of space for many latino communities yet most of these cultures are embraced today. Most of the latinos in the US faced similar struggles and had to fight for their place in society. I enjoyed reading your connection to this topic. It helps the reader understand how the DR population has overcome the struggle of space.
ReplyDeleteI loved how you highlighted things are from our Dominican culture specially in the heights which everyone knows its a Little Dominican Republic itself. I would have liked to see some insights on their current struggle for space since gentrification is a matter that is happening. It is also, slowly affecting the Dominican population not only in the heights but also in the areas of Dyckman and Inwood which are still considered very Dominican prevalent.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy reading about your experience as a Dominican living in the city. I think you brought up some valid points discussing ways in which Dominicans have made the mark in the city. I think it is beautiful that many Dominican's have continued to preserved the Dominican culture in the US, even after emigrating from DR.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy reading about your experience as a Dominican living in the city. I think you brought up some valid points discussing ways in which Dominicans have made the mark in the city. I think it is beautiful that many Dominican's have continued to preserved the Dominican culture in the US, even after emigrating from DR.
ReplyDelete