Boston.– A new study of Brazilian and Dominican immigrants living in metro
Boston finds much larger populations than previously thought. There are
about 64,000 Brazilians and a similar number of Dominicans, according
to researchers at San Diego State University, University of
Massachusetts Boston and Harvard University.
The new data shows that after the Chinese, the two groups are
respectively the second and third largest immigrant groups in the metro
area. Of those numbers, 71 percent of Brazilians are here illegally,
compared to about 8 percent of Dominicans.
“Dominicans started coming to the U.S. much earlier than Brazilians
have,” said Enrico Marcelli, one of the demographers who prepared the
reports for the Boston Brazilian Immigrant Center and the Dominican
Development Center.
“One thing we do know from our studies is that Dominicans tend to be
less happy compared to Brazilians. They tend to earn less than
Brazilians and they tend to be less satisfied in almost every domain in
life,” Marcelli said. “This, despite their being here longer and the
higher proportion (that) are legal.”
Written by: juanb, 17 Oct 2009 10:20 AM
From: Dominican Republic
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
and the Brazilians steal fewer cars as well
Written by: josean, 17 Oct 2009 10:41 AM
From: United States
The “silent invasion" of Brazilians has begun!
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
yes they have even taken over the Vinyard and you know Josean they would not even let you on the ferry to go there
Written by: dagtan, 17 Oct 2009 4:11 PM
From: United States
Lawrence, MA, looks just like Washington Heights, the only difference is that in the heights you have high risers and in lawrence you have one family housing.
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
Importation of DR's venerable form of government can't be too far.
Written by: telemeco, 17 Oct 2009 6:54 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Monte Plata
falla mineiro, las minina eu muy gustosa
From: United States, Bay Area, CA - (Dei sitio)
This confirms previous comments about Dominican immigration status in the US; we are obsessed about being legal everywhere we go. We use whatever mean possible to get our documents setup.
Written by: josean, 18 Oct 2009 8:55 AM
From: United States
No! It just confirms your obsessed with repeating yourself!
From: United States
No, I think perlurdom makes a good point that should'nt be overshadowed by your personal attacks. Any time the Haitian illegal status is brought up in regards to the ongoing problem in the DR, people and I believe even you have said "what about the illegal Dominicans abroad?". While I take a firm stand and believe they should be deported, illegal Dominican numbers in any given place are not high and especially not as high as Haitians in DR (whatever estimate you want to cite). Dominicans do value being citizens abroad. And the sheer fact that there are more illegal BRAZILIANS than Dominicans (who could possibly have a easier time getting here illegally) speaks VOLUMES to that fact.
Written by: josean, 18 Oct 2009 12:21 PM
From: United States
"No, I think perlurdom makes a good point that should'nt be overshadowed by your personal attacks."
So you support perlurdom position that as long as we legalizes our status its ok to break the host countries laws by obtaining documentation using fraudulent methods and we should be proud of that and broadcast it to the world!
In your book that may constitute “a personal attack” in mine, it is fighting the culture of corruption that appears to have become part of our collective Dominican DNA!
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
Toro you are a beacon of light in the darkness... Josie is to busy throwing negative bombs to consider the veracity of anything he conjures up in his twisted little mind
Written by: josean, 18 Oct 2009 12:28 PM
From: United States
I told you I prefer Little Joe!
PS
If you can't run with the Big Dogs Stay on the Porch!
Written by: dagtan, 18 Oct 2009 6:05 PM
From: United States
Toro, if haitians were given the chance to become Dominican citizens will they value it as much as Dominicans do in the U.S.? I ask that question with a grain of salt, since most Dominicans do not appreciate being American Citizen and often do it for migratory purpose in the prospects of helping their extended family come. I have no issue with that, since there is a degree of difficulties achieving such feat and if they do, then they put in the time and resources to do.
The reason why I ask the question with a grain of salt is because Dominicans usually do not own property, consume high ticket items, purchase new vehicles, work in jobs where not their entire salary is not reported, and most importantly, do not set roots and assimilate fully to the American culture, creating (NI DE AQUI, NI DE AYA, CHILDREN) these kids are forever, confused.
Remember, that second and third generation Dominicans do worst than first generations. Should be the other way.
From: United States
Haitians have the chance. Stop illegally crossing and apply. Other than that it's a guessing game.
I'd love to see what you can cite for all those "what Dominicans do". No one in my family purchases new cars either because they can't or are frugal. My parent's just bought their first ever brand new car after always buying used cars. But that's all I can cite. As for there kids I don't think so. They may not be Anglo-American in their speech and mannerisms but they ARE American and assimilate with urban culture (for better or worse).
I would also sincerely like a citation for that last point.
From: United States, Bay Area, CA - (Dei sitio)
I am not trying o promote dominican means of getting their immigration docs setup, however I am amazed of how our people manage to get their legal status setup, and that's a reality even if others are not in agreement with it. Toro, tnx for backing up my comment.
Dagtan,
I have a very different perspective about Latin Americans in the US; I believe we come to this country seeking better opportuinities; but many of us have realized that this a great place to consolidate our hispanic culture, is the only place in the world where a Mexican can marry a Dominican, a Peruvian, an Argentinian; is the only place in the world where our accents and traditions merge.
My kids assimilating American culture is not my priority, but keeping our hispanic culture and educate them with an opened attitute towards the south is. Maybe I was too old when I arrived to this land, but I do know lots of people that think the same way I do.
From: United States, Bay Area, CA - (Dei sitio)
(Cont..)
The cultural gap with dominicans and hispanics in general will stay opened, because second and third generation dominicans marry first generation dominicans...the cycle never ends. Look at you and other people here, we just can't see our lives away of our land and our people...we are here talking about DR issues. American find this very difficult to understand, why Hispanics are so attached to their families and traditions, different from European immigrants.
Written by: dagtan, 18 Oct 2009 9:46 PM
From: United States
perlurdom, your point is well taken, and i respect your opinion, because your are a fair minded person. However, I was so strictly specific to prevent precisely what you did from happening. My point pointed to the Dominican diaspora, which has failed miserably to set roots in the U.S. and harming the likely hood of massive success by keeping their roots in the home country.
As you know, mexican have the most powerful political influence in the U.S. among hispanics, yes even greater than Cubans, since the Cuban, since the cuban influence is only limited to when Florida is in play (Obama proved the limitation of the Cuban influence by getting the rest of the hispanics and picking up virginia, making florida a trophy).
Puertoricans, follow the mexicans and then the cubans come. Even though our numbers are greater than those of the PR and Cuban population, our political influence is not even close.
Factors causing this condition are: Entering or third generation, lack of roots,
Written by: josean, 18 Oct 2009 9:46 PM
From: United States
perlurdom,
Statements like yours are what fuel the xenophobia of the Lou Dobbs and the English only crowd!
Written by: dagtan, 18 Oct 2009 9:52 PM
From: United States
roost setting (i.e. community of home owners that contribute to the tax base and so on), in ability to become multicultural and multinational (el cuerpo aqui, pero la mente aya). not passing american values to their kids (causing them to feel more dominicans than americans, even though they were born here and know nothing about the DR, except go during the summer and cater to) this confuse the heck out of kids, they feel marginalized and minoratized by the american system, because they do not feel part of it (they become disenfranchised as a result) harming their ability to be successful in the american setting.
You know this, so you do not force the issue one way or another, you are teaching them to be multicultural perlurdom, those of us that knows the power of multiculturalism let it happen and stand on the sideline to facilitate when necessary. The majority of our people do not understand that, their goal is to go ever december and summer, because that is where home is.
From: United States, Bay Area, CA - (Dei sitio)
Dagtan,
I am in agreement with you about root setting in a sense of contributing community where you live, be a responsible taxpayer, and operate in accordance with the law. But I encourage my kids to press # 2 option for Spanish when available, because that action will provide a job opportunity to a hispanic and let the industry know that spanish is important. I want to see more Walmarts and Targets with English/Spanish information signs; I would like to see a Stop/Alto and Exit/Salida posted on our streets and freeways one day. That's why I like living here in the Southwest.
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
Lou Dobbs reported this story
A Tennessee couple, Dave a Rebecca Kosmitis both bona fide rednecks, had 9 children.
They went to the doctor to see about getting Dave 'fixed'. The doctor gladly started the required procedure and asked them what finally made them make the decision, why after 9 children would they choose to do this? Dave replied that they had read in a recent article that 1 out of every 10 children being born in the United States was Mexican, and they didn't want to take a chance on having a Mexican baby because neither of them could speak Spanish!
Written by: xwill7, 19 Oct 2009 9:54 AM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
dominicans are spreading out onto the entire US. soon you will be able to eat platano anywhere
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
I personally do not believe that being catered to our every need in Spanish is a good thing at all; in fact, I believe the opposite is true. Other non-English immigrants who preceded us did not enjoyed such privilege, and they have all done fine and gone on to integrate into the American fabric and enrich the culture-not sabotage it, transform it or diminish it.
To me, when I hear an option for everything from applying for a job to making a phone purchase to obtaining a driver's license in Spanish, this means you are dumber than everyone else to learn English, assimilate and we must waste taxpayer's money to accord you this special privilege.
You are in this great nation now, DR is what you left behind with all its poverty, crime and institutionalized corruption. Respect the USA and its culture and, please, don't try to change it into what you left behind. Please learn English, assimilate and become part of the culture. If not, please go back to whence you came. Be happy!
From: United States, Bay Area, CA - (Dei sitio)
In this great country there is room for everyone, for those who want to assimilate the culture, and for many others who believe that Spanish is part f this country as well. Remember that California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Florida were spanish territories and a new culture was imposed. 160 yrs after around 35% of the population living in these territories are Spanish speaking citizens with the same rights as you. The family link that ties these states to the south are growing and becoming stronger. wake up my friend the country is not only what you see in your neighborhood.
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
tell it like it is glomy !
Written by: dagtan, 19 Oct 2009 10:19 PM
From: United States
perlurdom, I share your sentiment, but when it is only reserved for adults. However, these adults will not be able to teach their kids what is to be part of the United States, since we are all American before arriving, i do not use the term (teach them what is to be an american as many do). The problem is that we giving in too much into the maintain your culture, do not forget where you com from, never give up the culture of your ancestors (even if you do not know crap about it), you are where your parents are from (crap) and so on mentality that is killing our ability to progress. I trully believe that all immigrants come to the U.S. with the right intentions and only change when they find out that the medicine is much worse than the disease.
Many, come here thinking that they can go back anytime and see their homeland frequently, not knowing that that is impossible. My daughter is an American who was born in the U.S. and her first culture will be the one form the U.S., we me,
Written by: dagtan, 19 Oct 2009 10:24 PM
From: United States
and my wife making sure she knows where we came from. We are also active in making sure that is she is bilingual, since we are simply saving her money and time by teaching her spanish now, rather than forcing her to go to school for it. We want to provide her with as much knowledge as possible about our culture, but ultimately it will be up to her to embrace it in the future.
perlurdom, remember our kids (that is if you were not born here in the U.S. as me) are U.S. Americans above all and then all the rest. These are the waters that they going have to swim for the rest of their lives, so make sure that thy are best swimmers possible and compete head to head with the rest. As far as our Dominican culture, it will be up to her to go deep into the fundamental part of our culture, since all I am concerned right now is teaching her the superficial parts.
From: United States, Bay Area, CA - (Dei sitio)
Dagtan,
The culture that your kids will assimilate is the one that surrounds them, the one they breath and listen everyday. If your kids grow up in Upper Manhattan that I believe is mostly populated by dominican immigrants in transition to assimilate a new culture, then your kids will be nothin different than the others "in-transition". this country offers you lots of options, you want your kids to be fully American then you decide that by moving to Tennessee or Kentucky or somewhere in upstate NY. We decided to live in a place where 50% of the radio stations broadcast in spanish 24-7; people say Hola and Buenos Dias to anyone that resembles Hispanic, a place where you breathe the culture and language. Is anything wrong with that?.
From: United States, Bay Area, CA - (Dei sitio)
(cont)...
Today I attended to special school meeting in which parents were given the opportunity to review the program offered to our kids and 50% of the teachers and personnel from school district were hispanics, guess what, we ended up having a great conversation about the program and experiences with other kids totally in spanish...And I live in the United States.
Written by: dagtan, 19 Oct 2009 11:08 PM
From: United States
nothing wrong with that perlurdom, as long as the main culture is not neglected. As I said before multiculturalism is a beautiful thing and the only one that can appreciate it are the ones who are part of it. You and I know that in order for our kids to be successful they will need to know about the dominant culture (for lack of a better word) in the U.S. This will one day change, when we will not have to deal with the value system. However, I do not think that you and will not have time to see it. Maybe our kids' kids might have that opportunity.
it is interesting the fact that you went to your school today for a program review, well we spend our morning touring the school to which our daughter is going to be attending K, in the fall of 2010. They grow so fast, it is simply amazing.
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
perlurdom,
I believe you are well-intentioned. However, I am not so sure that what you advocate is best way to go about it.
Ukranians, Greeks, Macedonians, Italians, Koreans, Chinese, Indians, Pakistanis, to name a few, go to tremendous extents to preserve their cultures, but they do it mostly privately and at community level, without necessarily imposing on rest of population. They don't ask for special privileges; they have private and well-attended schools; they also carry a great deal of the necessary work through their churches. They also don't ask to have every document and activity translatedx to their language. They make it their business to learn English, and assimilate, without neglecting their culture.
Ever wonder how come that, in spite of fact we are one of the largest represented minorities, we haven't really achieved commensurate success? Yeah, you could cite the usual reasons: racism, poverty, etc. That's not the problem.
From: United States, Bay Area, CA - (Dei sitio)
Dagtan,
Since our community has a charter school, we as parents are fully involved with school fundraising activities to support school programs for our kids. PTA organizations are becomining key for our schools now that state is facing serious financial issues.
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
Continued:
That's not the problem, because poor people are represented in every denomination. As for racisim, the president of the USA is a black man-need I say more?
Koreans, Chinese, Indians and Pakistanis get ahead strictly through hard work and discipline and drive. They don't need bachata and fancy yipetas....they just work hard to assimilate and to advance the next generation. We could keep on going the way we are going, but that would only guarantee that our superior's names and that of our children would always sound foreign.
To be respected, we need to compete and succeed in a level playing field, with no special onsideration to language or economic well-being. The sooner we realize this fact, the sooner and faster we will escalate the ladder of success, and then we could honestly be proud about soemthing that really matters: meaningful achievement through hard work!
From: United States, Bay Area, CA - (Dei sitio)
Glomarexplorer,
It is totally different scenario for Ukranians, Greeks, Macedonians, Italians, Koreans, Chinese, Indians, Pakistanis when coming to a land where their culture is unkown, there are not roots where they can attach their traditions to, it's like hispanics living in Canada, there you have no option but to assimilate the culture. Sorry for my ignorance, but I have lived in NY, and just I visited the city a few times, but do not know enough to draw conclusions about dominican diaspora in that place. But I used to lived in Southeastern, MA and my attitude over there was different, I was living in New England, therefore went with the flow and did what I saw. When we moved to the Southwest we noticed that this is a different world; I have met 4th generation hispanics that are able to speak the language; and have friends that are 2nd generation that barely speak english. I used to work for an american company that operated several plants in Tijuana, and believe me I met several
From: United States, Bay Area, CA - (Dei sitio)
(cont...) engineers that were born in the US, and have never reside in the US, thus they are fully mexicans and speak very basic English. And they cross the border every weekend to hang out and meet with their relatives in san Diego or the other way around...This is huge here, you go to a park any given sunday and the place is packed (mexican music, piñatas, tacos, carne asada, you name it).
Also, population of Mexican border cities are growing faster than American ones (Tijuana, Mexicali, Ciudad Juarez, Piedras Negras, etc), this is affecting the demographics and culture big time as we speak on southern US cities like San Diego, Centro/Yuma, Tucson, El Paso, Laredo, San Antonio). I believe the US will face a big challenge like Canada is doing with Quebec not too far in the future.
So when you refer to success I quite do not get it, language and culture does not have anything to do with being successful, what matters at the end is if you are happy.
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
perlurdom,
I don't know how I missed it, but I didn't realize you are in the far southwest. Yes, it is different down there and, whether that's good or bad, we could argue for a millenium and not come to an agreement.
Happiness and success are not mutually exclusive terms. You could be successful, like Geroge Eastman and others, and be unhappy. You could be rich, like Christina Onassis, and be miserable. There are many facets to happiness and succes, and sometimes you could realize both.
I still feel that the best of both worlds would materialize by proper balance of public assimilation and private retention and promotion of home culture.
I have very mixed feelings on the injection of alien cultures, display of foreign flags, particularly on July 4th [most disrespectful!]. Think about it, would we really extend the same courtesy we want for ourselves here to Haitian immigrants in DR? Don't they need cultural preservation as well?
Written by: josean, 20 Oct 2009 12:36 PM
From: United States
"I have very mixed feelings on the injection of alien cultures, display of foreign flags, particularly on July 4th [most disrespectful!]. Think about it, would we really extend the same courtesy we want for ourselves here to Haitian immigrants in DR? Don't they need cultural preservation as well?'
Dr. Strangelove,
Please do fry their brains with logic!
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
someone told me once that money cannot buy happiness ......I told them they are not shopping in the right places
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
Blutarsky,
FredC gone?
Written by: josean, 20 Oct 2009 8:03 PM
From: United States
He moved to Banistan!
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
Josean,
Dominicans comprehend a very large sector of immigrant population, both legal and illegal. They all wish to be treated with respect an afforded financial, jobs and health benefits and opportunities available to natural born US citizens and legal immigrants. Problem is that the country cannot really afford to continue to absorb immigration and past levels and, in fact, should probably imposed a moratorium.
I get concerned and a little annoyed when I see the demands made of the US and the system, then they spit in the face of everything American, fly their countries flags, demand parades that generally turn into disorder and shenaniganism. They import, promote flawed aspects of their culture, i e: corruption. They try to turn this country into the sad political socio-economic place they've left behind.
I get even more disturbed when I see some of the same people effectively deny Haitian immigrants the same rights and privileges they seek for themselves in the US.
From: United States, Bay Area, CA - (Dei sitio)
US should impose a moratorium, that 's a good idea California houses 36M souls and counting, state is facing US$26B budget deficit for the 2009-2010; by 2008, California had the 6th highest tax burden of any state. This land was so rich before 1850, just look now...some Californians are a little bit annoyed. Some of my friends in the other side of the border are wishing for the wall to be finished, it will have double benefit control South - North immigration, but also stop North - South invasion, as some Northern Mexican states like Sonora, Sinaloa might become very attractive for Uncle Sam...Everybody knows how easy a new country can be created...Panama is a good example.
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Investigators Fearful in Mexico Drug War
On top of the standard obstacles to solving crimes in Mexico — too little expertise, too much corruption — is the outright fear of becoming the next body in the street.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/17....mericas/17juarez.html?_r=1&hp
So you support perlurdom position that as long as we legalizes our status its ok to break the host countries laws by obtaining documentation using fraudulent methods and we should be proud of that and broadcast it to the world!
In your book that may constitute “a personal attack” in mine, it is fighting the culture of corruption that appears to have become part of our collective Dominican DNA!
PS
If you can't run with the Big Dogs Stay on the Porch!
The reason why I ask the question with a grain of salt is because Dominicans usually do not own property, consume high ticket items, purchase new vehicles, work in jobs where not their entire salary is not reported, and most importantly, do not set roots and assimilate fully to the American culture, creating (NI DE AQUI, NI DE AYA, CHILDREN) these kids are forever, confused.
Remember, that second and third generation Dominicans do worst than first generations. Should be the other way.
I'd love to see what you can cite for all those "what Dominicans do". No one in my family purchases new cars either because they can't or are frugal. My parent's just bought their first ever brand new car after always buying used cars. But that's all I can cite. As for there kids I don't think so. They may not be Anglo-American in their speech and mannerisms but they ARE American and assimilate with urban culture (for better or worse).
I would also sincerely like a citation for that last point.
Dagtan,
I have a very different perspective about Latin Americans in the US; I believe we come to this country seeking better opportuinities; but many of us have realized that this a great place to consolidate our hispanic culture, is the only place in the world where a Mexican can marry a Dominican, a Peruvian, an Argentinian; is the only place in the world where our accents and traditions merge.
My kids assimilating American culture is not my priority, but keeping our hispanic culture and educate them with an opened attitute towards the south is. Maybe I was too old when I arrived to this land, but I do know lots of people that think the same way I do.
The cultural gap with dominicans and hispanics in general will stay opened, because second and third generation dominicans marry first generation dominicans...the cycle never ends. Look at you and other people here, we just can't see our lives away of our land and our people...we are here talking about DR issues. American find this very difficult to understand, why Hispanics are so attached to their families and traditions, different from European immigrants.
As you know, mexican have the most powerful political influence in the U.S. among hispanics, yes even greater than Cubans, since the Cuban, since the cuban influence is only limited to when Florida is in play (Obama proved the limitation of the Cuban influence by getting the rest of the hispanics and picking up virginia, making florida a trophy).
Puertoricans, follow the mexicans and then the cubans come. Even though our numbers are greater than those of the PR and Cuban population, our political influence is not even close.
Factors causing this condition are: Entering or third generation, lack of roots,
Statements like yours are what fuel the xenophobia of the Lou Dobbs and the English only crowd!
You know this, so you do not force the issue one way or another, you are teaching them to be multicultural perlurdom, those of us that knows the power of multiculturalism let it happen and stand on the sideline to facilitate when necessary. The majority of our people do not understand that, their goal is to go ever december and summer, because that is where home is.
I am in agreement with you about root setting in a sense of contributing community where you live, be a responsible taxpayer, and operate in accordance with the law. But I encourage my kids to press # 2 option for Spanish when available, because that action will provide a job opportunity to a hispanic and let the industry know that spanish is important. I want to see more Walmarts and Targets with English/Spanish information signs; I would like to see a Stop/Alto and Exit/Salida posted on our streets and freeways one day. That's why I like living here in the Southwest.
A Tennessee couple, Dave a Rebecca Kosmitis both bona fide rednecks, had 9 children.
They went to the doctor to see about getting Dave 'fixed'. The doctor gladly started the required procedure and asked them what finally made them make the decision, why after 9 children would they choose to do this? Dave replied that they had read in a recent article that 1 out of every 10 children being born in the United States was Mexican, and they didn't want to take a chance on having a Mexican baby because neither of them could speak Spanish!
To me, when I hear an option for everything from applying for a job to making a phone purchase to obtaining a driver's license in Spanish, this means you are dumber than everyone else to learn English, assimilate and we must waste taxpayer's money to accord you this special privilege.
You are in this great nation now, DR is what you left behind with all its poverty, crime and institutionalized corruption. Respect the USA and its culture and, please, don't try to change it into what you left behind. Please learn English, assimilate and become part of the culture. If not, please go back to whence you came. Be happy!
Many, come here thinking that they can go back anytime and see their homeland frequently, not knowing that that is impossible. My daughter is an American who was born in the U.S. and her first culture will be the one form the U.S., we me,
perlurdom, remember our kids (that is if you were not born here in the U.S. as me) are U.S. Americans above all and then all the rest. These are the waters that they going have to swim for the rest of their lives, so make sure that thy are best swimmers possible and compete head to head with the rest. As far as our Dominican culture, it will be up to her to go deep into the fundamental part of our culture, since all I am concerned right now is teaching her the superficial parts.
The culture that your kids will assimilate is the one that surrounds them, the one they breath and listen everyday. If your kids grow up in Upper Manhattan that I believe is mostly populated by dominican immigrants in transition to assimilate a new culture, then your kids will be nothin different than the others "in-transition". this country offers you lots of options, you want your kids to be fully American then you decide that by moving to Tennessee or Kentucky or somewhere in upstate NY. We decided to live in a place where 50% of the radio stations broadcast in spanish 24-7; people say Hola and Buenos Dias to anyone that resembles Hispanic, a place where you breathe the culture and language. Is anything wrong with that?.
Today I attended to special school meeting in which parents were given the opportunity to review the program offered to our kids and 50% of the teachers and personnel from school district were hispanics, guess what, we ended up having a great conversation about the program and experiences with other kids totally in spanish...And I live in the United States.
it is interesting the fact that you went to your school today for a program review, well we spend our morning touring the school to which our daughter is going to be attending K, in the fall of 2010. They grow so fast, it is simply amazing.
I believe you are well-intentioned. However, I am not so sure that what you advocate is best way to go about it.
Ukranians, Greeks, Macedonians, Italians, Koreans, Chinese, Indians, Pakistanis, to name a few, go to tremendous extents to preserve their cultures, but they do it mostly privately and at community level, without necessarily imposing on rest of population. They don't ask for special privileges; they have private and well-attended schools; they also carry a great deal of the necessary work through their churches. They also don't ask to have every document and activity translatedx to their language. They make it their business to learn English, and assimilate, without neglecting their culture.
Ever wonder how come that, in spite of fact we are one of the largest represented minorities, we haven't really achieved commensurate success? Yeah, you could cite the usual reasons: racism, poverty, etc. That's not the problem.
Since our community has a charter school, we as parents are fully involved with school fundraising activities to support school programs for our kids. PTA organizations are becomining key for our schools now that state is facing serious financial issues.
That's not the problem, because poor people are represented in every denomination. As for racisim, the president of the USA is a black man-need I say more?
Koreans, Chinese, Indians and Pakistanis get ahead strictly through hard work and discipline and drive. They don't need bachata and fancy yipetas....they just work hard to assimilate and to advance the next generation. We could keep on going the way we are going, but that would only guarantee that our superior's names and that of our children would always sound foreign.
To be respected, we need to compete and succeed in a level playing field, with no special onsideration to language or economic well-being. The sooner we realize this fact, the sooner and faster we will escalate the ladder of success, and then we could honestly be proud about soemthing that really matters: meaningful achievement through hard work!
It is totally different scenario for Ukranians, Greeks, Macedonians, Italians, Koreans, Chinese, Indians, Pakistanis when coming to a land where their culture is unkown, there are not roots where they can attach their traditions to, it's like hispanics living in Canada, there you have no option but to assimilate the culture. Sorry for my ignorance, but I have lived in NY, and just I visited the city a few times, but do not know enough to draw conclusions about dominican diaspora in that place. But I used to lived in Southeastern, MA and my attitude over there was different, I was living in New England, therefore went with the flow and did what I saw. When we moved to the Southwest we noticed that this is a different world; I have met 4th generation hispanics that are able to speak the language; and have friends that are 2nd generation that barely speak english. I used to work for an american company that operated several plants in Tijuana, and believe me I met several
Also, population of Mexican border cities are growing faster than American ones (Tijuana, Mexicali, Ciudad Juarez, Piedras Negras, etc), this is affecting the demographics and culture big time as we speak on southern US cities like San Diego, Centro/Yuma, Tucson, El Paso, Laredo, San Antonio). I believe the US will face a big challenge like Canada is doing with Quebec not too far in the future.
So when you refer to success I quite do not get it, language and culture does not have anything to do with being successful, what matters at the end is if you are happy.
I don't know how I missed it, but I didn't realize you are in the far southwest. Yes, it is different down there and, whether that's good or bad, we could argue for a millenium and not come to an agreement.
Happiness and success are not mutually exclusive terms. You could be successful, like Geroge Eastman and others, and be unhappy. You could be rich, like Christina Onassis, and be miserable. There are many facets to happiness and succes, and sometimes you could realize both.
I still feel that the best of both worlds would materialize by proper balance of public assimilation and private retention and promotion of home culture.
I have very mixed feelings on the injection of alien cultures, display of foreign flags, particularly on July 4th [most disrespectful!]. Think about it, would we really extend the same courtesy we want for ourselves here to Haitian immigrants in DR? Don't they need cultural preservation as well?
Dr. Strangelove,
Please do fry their brains with logic!
FredC gone?
Dominicans comprehend a very large sector of immigrant population, both legal and illegal. They all wish to be treated with respect an afforded financial, jobs and health benefits and opportunities available to natural born US citizens and legal immigrants. Problem is that the country cannot really afford to continue to absorb immigration and past levels and, in fact, should probably imposed a moratorium.
I get concerned and a little annoyed when I see the demands made of the US and the system, then they spit in the face of everything American, fly their countries flags, demand parades that generally turn into disorder and shenaniganism. They import, promote flawed aspects of their culture, i e: corruption. They try to turn this country into the sad political socio-economic place they've left behind.
I get even more disturbed when I see some of the same people effectively deny Haitian immigrants the same rights and privileges they seek for themselves in the US.