Why do some Dominicans continue to deny their African Ancestry?
in dominican republic and the state of dominica, the race sysytem is different than here or the u.k., the caste sysytem is used and we all know african slaves were brought to the islands and were thought to be inferior and that ignorance is still thought today. the caste system in dominica and dominican republic; dark or as dark as wesley snipes you are typically thought of as low-class lighter say as denzel wasington then you considered white, kinda messed up, and denying theri african heritage so they can get a head and have a well-to-do life, is what is done.
I think the dominicans who do deny their african ancestry probably beleive the United States Racial census when they say you areonly black if you are african-american. Though, this isn’t true because many people of african descent come from The Caribbean and Latin America. Though, in Latin America Mestizos (Indigenous and Spanish mix) people hold the majority in the population, and so many blacks from latin america want to identify as their nationalit which has nothing to do with their race. This is denial that some have is due to improper and unclear ethnic census sheets that list hispanic (which reflects people who speak spanish) and african-Americans as the only blacks. In reality, latinos can be of any race mestizo, black, white, or amerindian. Same with people from africa nowadays. I knew this white guy whose parents are from south africa, and he insisted on being african-american.
It’s unfortunate to say the least. However, the younger generation is being taught by an older generation that being of African decent is a negative thing since they themselves experienced such negativity. It’s really a choice that the younger generations should make to educate themselves (like you did). I myself am black and puerto rican. I made it a goal in my life to learn about BOTH of my ethnicities because that’s who I am.
