Dominicans In America Essay Research Paper Andre free essay sample

Black friars In America Essay, Research Paper Andre Washington Wilbert Nelson Sociology 140 December 13, 1999 Black friars, America # 8217 ; s Turning Peoples for the New Millennium The Dominican Republic or besides known as La Republica Dominicana is a little island that is 18,816 square stat mis, located off the seashore of Florida. The Dominicans of this land portion their island with the Haitians. The island has a semitropical clime, mountains, turn overing hills, and fertile river vales. The economic system is chiefly dominated by sugar, which still earns much of the state # 8217 ; s foreign exchange despite constitution of varied visible radiation industries and the development of Ni, excavation and touristry. Coffee, chocolate, baccy, and bananas are besides a major export harvest. But, despite their apparently stable economic system, and exuberant landscape gardening, a huge bulk of the estimated 8,603,200 people that live at that place wish to migrate to the United States. This may be due to the fact that since the clip the Dominican Republic was proclaimed in 1844 as a absolutism, it has come under the onslaught of bad political leading, and civil dis cord. In 1899 the state was bankrupted by civil discord after the slaying of Ulises Heureaux, their dictator. Shortly after that the state came under U.S. control. Even under U.S. control the state still suffered from dictators with extremely restrictive policies on go forthing the island, and rough economic conditions. These awful economic conditions merely worsened and caused a mammoth inflow of immigrants from the Dominican Republic to the United States in the early 80 # 8217 ; s and even more in the 90 # 8217 ; s ( Hale-Benson, p. 97 ) . The people came in Grovess to the United States seeking more chances and a better life, but they shortly learned that they would confront many of the same cultural, racial and cultural barriers that other cultural immigrants have faced when seeking a new life in a new land. In this paper I will detail the adversities Dominicans have suffered since their inflow to America. Such as rough economic jobs here in the U.S. , about worse than those faced in the Dominican Republic, deficiency of quality and skilled occupation chances, due to a hapless instruction, prejudiced barriers they have been forced to digest and get the better of, and assorted other obstructions that they have had to overcome, all while endeavoring to go a productive and lending people here in America. New York City # 8217 ; s fastest turning immigrant group are Dominicans, a Spanish speech production 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 lone job with this is through the old ages of their migration to America, their per capita income has declined sharply. It seems as though when the Dominican population in America additions, their income as a whole lessenings. About half of the Dominicans in NYC live below the poorness degree. In 1990 29 % of Dominicans where on public assistance. Of foreign people immigrating to the U.S. , merely people from the former Soviet Union had a higher per centum of people populating on public aid. From 1989 to 1996 their per capita income declined 23 % to $ 6,094 a twelvemonth, in rising prices adjusted dollars, while their poorness rate rose from 37 % to 46 % , tha t is about dual for the metropolis as a whole. Unemployment besides rose from 17.2 % in 1990 to 18.8 % in 1996 ( Lopez, p. 3 ) . The beginning of these terrible economic jobs harmonizing to Internet site, Latino Link, are from a deficiency of a proper instruction and accomplishments, and their unusual immature 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 nationally. Black friars make up 7 % of NYC, but their kids make up 12 % of simple age childs. On mean Dominicans are much younger in comparing to American # 8217 ; s age in NYC. The mean age for a New Yorker is 36, compared to 24 for person of Dominican Heritage. This plays a big function in the job they face when looking for skilled occupations. Research workers have said that their immature age places a major barrier when seeking occupations outside of the bluish neckband market. Most Dominicans enter the full-time work force here in America around age 16 or 17, no clip at all for a proper instruction. 55 % of the Dominican-American population has non graduated from high school, and merely 4 % have obtained some type of college grade. Dominican-Americans even have a comparatively low instruction and skill degree when compared to that of Dominicans in the Dominican Republic. Like most other cultural immigrants Dominican grownups need literacy and English linguistic communication direction while their kids need better schools. The huge bulk of occupations filled by Black friars are unskilled bluish neckband places. These places require small or no formal instruction, and English accomplishments are about un-needed. Factors such as these make it easy for Dominican-Americans to get these occupations. But these same occupations, wage bare lower limit, or below au naturel minimal rewards.In 1998 the norm pay for a Dominican-American was $ 12,810, which is a deep dip below our poorness degree ( Calderon, p. 134-136 ) . As if these conditions were non an huge sufficiency job for Dominican-Americans, they besides face the prejudiced racial, cultural and cultural barriers, placed on them by America. As a people endeavoring for designation here in America, Dominican-Americans have had to digest improper racial labeling, as had most people of colour in American society. 2/3 of Dominicans are of Afro-European decent and the smaller 1/3 of chiefly African decent. The cardinal word in both descriptions of their ethnicity refer back to Africa for its roots. But yet when holding to place with a racial group here in America, because they are a Spanish speech production people society forces them to take Hispanic or Latin, and deny their African/Black heritage and roots. Physically Dominicans can run in colour, from chromaticities possessed by the darker featured African americans, to the igniter toned Mexicanos. With such a disparity in scope of colour and characteristics, America has non merely made them cover with their deficiency of instruction, accomplishments, and economic art, but besides with the stigma of dividing and spliting them based on their difference of visual aspect ( Lo pez, p. 12-15 ) . Merely late here in America, have Dominicans now begun to divide themselves along colour lines. Dominicans of more European characteristics and lighter tegument tone have had the privilege of the # 8220 ; white advantage # 8221 ; because they can go through for white, whereas their darker featured Dominican brothers have had to endure racial unfairnesss typically impressed upon Latinos and African-Americans. This one difference has caused a spread 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 suppressing this job. These organisations are in topographic point to assist bridge the inter-race relationship spread between Black friars by working with both sides, to assist Dominicans as a whole overcome racial and economic subjugation in America ( DeAnda, p. 256 -260 ) . Another factor lending to the economic subjugation of Dominican-Americans is the gender job within their community. The bulk of Dominican households are headed by individual adult females with no adult male about to assist out financially or emotionally. In 1990 families headed by adult females were at 41 % and so jumped to 49 % in 1996. This job stems from the stigma of immigrating to a new land mixed in with traditional Dominican values. In Dominican civilization work forces are seen as the suppliers. The job starts when work forces move their households to America, and for whatever ground, can non look to happen stable employment so that they may back up their households. After they try and seek and still can non look to back up their households, they become defeated and stop up running off from the job by go forthing their households entirely to fend for themselves. The outgrowth of all these individual female parent Dominican family besides contributes to their terrible economic job ( Hale-Benson, p. 59-61 ) . As stated earlier most Dominicans when they arrive here in the United States speak merely Spanish and have no existent instruction so the lone occupations open to them are bluish collar places. Such places consist, of building work, plumbing, fix service, physical labour etc. These places are typically non occupations adult females are considered for. So because of the linguistic communication barrier along with holding no existent accomplishments, the lone occupations open to Dominican adult females are homemakers, amahs, cooks, and nursemaids. These occupations on mean output a annually wage of about $ 4- $ 7,000.00. This is barely adequate to back up a household on so many female parent # 8217 ; s are forced to go reliant upon public aid ( Lopez, p. 111 ) . Recently there has been an outgrowth of organisations such as The Dominican Women # 8217 ; s Development Center, which promotes authorization of all Blatino ( Black-Latino ) adult females, no n merely Dominicanas. This centre provides occupation preparation, an English-as-a-Second Language Program, reding for HIV+ people, in-migration services, exercising preparation, a smoke cessati on workshop and a Reike ( mending method utilizing custodies ) unfastened house. There is besides an exhibit infinite where adult females can expose their pictures and clayware ( Ruiz, p.53 ) . Even though Dominican-Americans are doing paces in seeking to break their life, there are still many negative stereotypes that persist about them. Once such stereotype that seems to blight all people of colour, is that their work forces are lazy and will non account for their kids. Another being that Dominican-American adult females do non desire to work, but merely attention to acquire money from the authorities with no attempts to break themselves. The most cockamamie of these stereotypes is that Dominican-Americans garbage to larn to talk English and will go on to merely talk Spanish. Organizations such as Mano y Mano are assisting immature and old Dominican work forces to larn to get by with the passage of traveling to America and the adversities of happening a occupation, while remaining with their married woman, girlfriend, household, etc. and larning to accept congratulations and support from their adult females without experiencing that they have compromised their manhood. Ma no y Mano hopes to accomplish its ends through workshops, presentations, retreats and any other method that will assist Dominican work forces cope with household life in America. La Familia Unida Day Care is an organisation that is fixed on assisting Dominicanas, by supplying twenty-four hours attention, offering ESL categories, and by supplying occupation placement listings so that Dominican adult females can go slightly self efficient and non depend on the authorities for financess and aid. The Dominican Chamber of Commerce is working feverishly to chase away the myth that Dominican immigrants do non desire to larn English. Dominicans have a strong thrust and aspiration to larn English, but as adult grownups it is difficult to happen ESL categories that are convenient and can be worked around their work agendas. Dominican Immigrants know that without English they can non win in this state. So the Dominican Chamber of Commerce has set up flushing ESL categories, and twenty-four hou rs attention constitutions so that Dominicans can hold the clip to larn English. They besides offer other categories that will help Dominicans in seting to life in America ( Hale-Benson, p.186 ) . Besides with the new age of computing machines and engineering, different Dominican organisations have utilized the universe broad web in happening resources to help their cause. They have besides used the Internet to web with different Blatino professionals in the community to come in and talk in the workshops and forums they host. Web sites have been set up, so that the Internet will experience the presence of Blatinos in America. These web sites besides set up a grassroots foundation for Dominicans and other Blatino groups to seek out support and allow them cognize that they are non entirely ( Lopez, p.142 ) . Regardless of all the major reverses and obstructions Black friars have had to face, they still have had a positive impact on American society. The easiest most recognizable part Dominicans have made is in the field of baseball. Many Dominicans have come to play major functions in American baseball. One such participant that stands out is Sammy Sosa of the Chicago greenhorn, who was running cervix and cervix in the place tally race with Mark McGwire. Besides Ozzie Virgil became the first Dominican indigen to make the major conferences, fall ining the Giants in 1956. Since that clip, about 200 Dominicans have made an impact on the major conferences. In 1983, Juan Marichal became the first Dominican indigen to be named to the Hall of Fame. The bequest of Dominican participants in the major conferences is really rich, and there are still many doing history now. Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez, 27, signed the most moneymaking contract in baseball last twelvemonth, acquiring $ 75 million o ver the following six old ages. Sammy Sosa of the Cubs, with a June-long explosion of place tallies, put himself in the race to interrupt Roger Maris single-season place tally record ( Calderon, p.263 ) . But Dominican parts are non merely found in the athleticss sphere. In New York City and New Jersey there are over 23,000 concern proprietors, 6,000 food market shops, 500 supermarkets, 1,200 beauty salons, all Dominican owned. These concern aid lend to the economic system with an inflow of new money ( DeAnda, p.155 ) . Black friars have besides began to demo their political power. Guillermo Linares has become the first Dominican-born elected functionary in the United States. In 1979 he developed the first Dominican non-profit organisation, the Community Association of Progressive Dominicans. He was besides elected three times to the school board, where he advocated for building of schools. In the last five old ages, 10 of those schools have been built. Besides New York State Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat won a narrow triumph over John Muraugh last November, therefore going the first Dominican-American to be elected as province legislator. His triumph was credited with the turning political influence of established Dominican citizens in the country. Dominicans are taking charge of their communities by running for public office and going more involved with American political relations to assist better Dominican life in this state ( Calderon, p.79 ) One of the most of import parts made to American society doubtless is the inflow of new ideas, thoughts, patterns and civilization into chief watercourse America. Right now America is seeing the biggest out pour of Latin endowment in the entertainment/fashion industry. Oscar de la Renta is a good known, affluent Dominican Born interior decorator. The influence of most of his designs are from his fatherland of the Dominican Republic ( Lopez, p.210 ) . Musician Juan Luis Guerra has besides scored high with the American populace with his Latin infused beat. The new thoughts, civilization, music, and positive and productive citizens, are the most alone parts that Dominicans have offered to the United States. Therefore sometimes altering the manner some of us view life, and handle assorted other state of affairss ( Calderon, p. 49 ) . Dominican-Americans suffer the adversities most new cultural immigrants face when come ining into America. Harsh economic jobs, deficiency of quality and skilled occupation chances, prejudiced barriers, and assorted other obstructions are all really existent jobs Dominicans face while endeavoring to go a productive and lending people to America. Dominicans are a comparatively new cultural immigrant group, and have non had an abundant sum of clip to set up themselves here as a positive group. But within the short clip that Black friars have been naming America place, they have managed to take what they were given and do the best of it. Through assorted organisations such as Alianza Dominicana, Inc. , the Community Association of Progressive Dominicans, The Dominican Women Development Center, and Mano y Mano, along with such lovingness and passionate political leaders as Guillermo Linares, and Adriano Espaillat Dominicans have taken a elephantine measure in the right way for interrupti ng negative stereotypes and doing their presence a positive one here in America. As a individual of colour, I can deeply sympathise with what Dominicans are traveling through today. I besides stand and applaud them for their brave attempts to turn a bad state of affairs into a good 1. I think an of import thing we as Americans can make to ease the jobs Dominicans or immigrants to this state in general is to do them experience welcome here. First we must understand what it is they go through when coming from another state to populate here, and adjust to a new linguistic communication. Classs like Sociology 140, are a great start to understanding different people and the jobs they face. But I don # 8217 ; t think we should halt at that place. Take a history category different from your ain background. Expand your skylines and wear # 8217 ; t restrict yourself to what you see around you. Become a planetary citizen and go involved in different organisations, or get down an organisatio n in your community to assist new immigrants cope with life in a new state. If more people would take the clip to better understand what, where and why different groups have the jobs that they face, they would understand that they portion many of the same jobs. A shared apprehension, or a individual yarn in common is sometimes all it takes to bridge a spread between states, and to see beyond your ain line of apprehension. If everyone merely took clip to seek one of these simple suggestions, as a state we would be much stronger and more incorporate. We can come together through our differences. A simple, over used statement, but normally ignored and non listened to, can assist set us on the right path for the following Millennium. 607 Bronx Beat. Online. Internet. 11 Nov. 1999 Available: hypertext transfer protocol: //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 Imperativeness, 1995. Latino Link. Online. Internet. 3 Dec. 1999 Available: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.latinolink.com Lopez, Omar. Turning up Dominican. New York, NY: Anchor Press, 1998. Ruiz, Delia. Women of Color in Modern Society. New York, NY: Harper and Row Press, 1992.