USA has been an imperialist country for a long time, it's been long since it is not what the founding fathers intended. Look at what happened to Bosch.

It's also on it's way to becoming a police state also.

___________________________________________________________________________
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
___________________________________________________________________________
knupe. you may be right.
All historians a trouble makers . They resurrect the past to denounce and expose the betrayals, they wickedness . the cowardice, the errors of the so called heroes.
Heroes my ass (forgive my French)

Charlemagne was definitely of Dominican origin. However he identified and was raised as a Haitian and that's all that matters. Similar to Pena Gomez, obviously and definitely of Haitian origin yet identified and raised as a Dominican. Peralte was a true freedom fighter and one of the rare valiant individuals that Haiti has produced. Had he been successful, he would've definitely made his mark in Haitian history high enough to be placed with the likes of Toussaint but even though his efforts were stemmed by the actions of his traitorous "ally" and he was killed, his efforts will never be denied their glory; at least in my eyes.

One could say that they, and the other rayanos like them, had the liberty to choose allegiance for any of the two countries back then, cuz' their disputed status made those villages and towns a no man's land. As in, any of the two countries could claim the villagers of that zone for themselves and nothing would have happened, although it was easier for the people of PAP to claim them, given the close proximity of that region to that city more than to SDQ, both physically and culturally speaking. And besides, Haiti was economically more powerful than the DR on that era (despite all the political upheavals that plagued the former back then, with the Salomon family struggling for power and all that), a fact that is spoken of on many documents of that epoch, which tell about the fact that the gourde and kreyol language were the tools used for trade not only in the Plateau Central, but on regions as far to the east as some parts on Santiago and Azua, which speaks a lot about the influence exerted by PAP back then.

Whatever happened to the rayanos? I don't see any mention of them after the massacre and speaking to relatives who lived during that era close to the border, this is what they say:

-They were seen as different than the mainstream Dominicans
-They were also 'targeted' by Trujillo (???)
-No one seems to be able to tell me what happened to them

These statements are anecdotal, they come from the mouths of older relatives (great uncles, grandfathers, etc.) who lived near the border and even a branch who owned land in Haitian territory. Since we're on the subject, I'd like to comment on a very commonly heard saying 'Haiti es la cuna de el Diablo' (Haiti is the devils cradle) I've heard from them and also from campesinos I met when I visited. The biggest negative stigma they had towards Haitians was what they saw as a very backwards/savage culture filled with what they saw as witchcraft/devil worship. They also attributed other savagery to Haitians (that I've seen no evidence of). The reason I bring this us is because I read over and over (parroted by many) that the animosity is due to Haitian's color. While Haitians are stereotyped as someone of very SubSaharan West African features, this was not the reason given for the 'dislike/contempt' these campesinos had towards them. I just find it curious that many have this simplistic belief that it's a simple case of racism, it is not.

I can't see it either seeing as how both people are black.

But really, I've heard hatred towards Haitians based on being black. While it's ALWAYS more about their culture, coming into our country, etc etc I have heard "they smell", "they're ugly", "they're black assholes". I don't think this is representative of our country as a whole, but I've heard it.

I'm baffled by the accusation of racism, since we all know that by the ODR, everyone on the island is "black". Double standards anyone?

If it happens in the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos it is due to 'cultural differences' if the same thing happens in DR it's because 'we're racist'. Note that these other Caribbean countries even have certain stereotypes of what they perceive as a so called 'Haitian look', this is a very physical type of stereotype but this too is due to cultural differences. I invite anyone here that thinks I'm simply making things up to honestly do some independent research, these are factual observations that just call my attention.

What do I think are the main things that have fueled the negative stigma?

-Historical aggresions
-Border disputes/constant historical encroachment
-Economic inequality (I highly doubt that things would be the same if Haiti was on par with say some of the more economically advanced Caribbean islands)
-Current illegal immigration

Add to all of this a very different language & culture and even folk religion and it's easy to see why there would be some conflict and animosity.
I would like to invite the Hispanolosoys (and whatever other screen name he goes under) of the world to stop being so one dimensional race obsessed/color struck victimology pushers.
DR was and is one of the most racially progressive LatinAmerican countries. I find it bizarre when due to some anti-Dominicanismo third parties and Haitian extremist sing praise to Cuba, Brazil and damn near anywhere else they think is 'more raciall progressive than DR' .

What's sad, it"s take 80 years before he became a "Martyr".