The impact of historical factors on modern race relations and identity in the Dominican Republic (original) (raw)

This paper was produced for Anthropology 313: Peoples of Latin America (Fall 2017) taught by Dr. Shaozeng Zhang at Oregon State University. In this paper, I explore the concepts of ​ dominicanidad, ​ or Dominican identity, in the context of the Dominican Republic's historic relationship with Haiti. First, I examine colonial developments and conflict, and how different factors created two ethnically different states. I then examine the Trujillo regime's policy towards Haiti. Next, I look at media portrayal of dominicanidad ​ and Dominican self and group identification. Historical factors are connected with modern results, and current political developments are tied in. The paper concludes by naming historical conflict as a significant factor in Dominican ethnic identity.