This is my first blog ever. I am 32 M, have been employed for the last 10 years by the same company in a suburb outside Chicago. I have seen the world with this company. I have seen things that made me laugh, scratch my head and turn away in disgust.
Here is my Santo Domingo story:
My first time in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) the owner of our local distributor invited me out to dinner, then drinks. He was a white man. I say white man because even though he was born in Santo Domingo he was not black, so that makes him a white man. You are either black or white in Santo Domingo, nothing in between. One of his customer service engineers, Miguel, accompanied us for dinner that night, he, was black, black, black, not the coffee with extra cream black, he was old copper penny black.
I had a great time, we had dinner in a posh restaurant, then had drinks and danced a little in an upper scale bar in an upper scale neighborhood.
The next day, the owner of the company indicated he could not accompany us for dinner that night but that Miguel would take me out and show me around town. Miguel picked me up at the hotel (Jaragua in Malecon) in his "suped" up 87 Honda with the dice hanging from the rear view mirror, his non-stock stereo system with blinking lights, and his shiny hub caps. I like Miguel he is a cool cat (had to add this comment, don't want you to think I am making fun of him and his car, just had to paint the picture). Miguel took me to a different type of restuarant, the people there were more lively, dancing, screaming from table to table, it was a little louder than the night before. I had a great time.
After dinner, he asked "How about we go to a bar for a drink?". I agreed.
Miguel: Any place you would like to go?
Me: Not really, I would not know, this is my first time in SD... how about the same bar we were in last night, that was fun.
Miguel: We can't go there tonight, they will not let me in.
Me: Why not? Is there a private party going on?
Miguel: No, they will not let me in because I am black.
Me: What??? We were just there last night!! What do you mean because you are black??
Miguel: Last night Pablo (owner/white man) was with us, that's why they let me in. He knows the owner, but tonight, they will not let me get past the door.
Me: I don't believe it, you are kidding me right?? Not possible nowadays, those days are gone... aren't they?
Miguel: Not here in DR, I am black and discrimination here is still alive. The only reason I have this job with Pablo is because he knows my father, otherwise he probably would not have hired me. If you do not believe me, let's go to the same bar, see for yourself.
Me: Yes, I have to see.
He parked a block away from the bar, he asked that I walk ahead of him, and indicated he would follow after I made it past the bouncers. I did, the bouncers mildly frisked me and gave me the green light. Miguel approches the entrance:
Bouncer: Sorry my friend, the bar is closed to the public, private party.
Miguel: What about him?? Why did you let him in? We are here together.
Bouncer: Well... you see... we only have a certain number of people we can allow who are not invited to the party, he was the last one. You can not come in.
The bouncer turns and looks at me:
Bouncer: Your friend can not come in tonight... are you in or out??
Well, after I had a few drinks inside and danced a little I left and met with Miguel. He was waiting in the car and... of course I did not come in.
That my friends is my Santo Domingo Story.
I left and could not understand it. Racism lives!!
The Truth Really Hurts.
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12 comments:
FIRST on my DH's blog!!! Yipee!!
As a black male who has traveled to Europe, Asia, and South America, I'm well aware that racism is not dead. However, I was still surprised to read that segregation is still so overt in other countries. It is a travesty that words cannot describe.
Unfortunately, I don't think racism will ever end. Just the other day in class, we were talking about how segregated our schools are even after the civil rights movement. We are dealing with all kinds of segregation, racial, economic, social... I think we are living in a society that is worse now than ever.
the first night you said you danced a little, were you dancing with MIguel or his boss ?
Poor Miguel, you think they would do that to Sammy Sosa ?
get rid of the word verification, it really sucks.
That's a pretty serious story for your first blog...
It sucks but unfortunately racism does live and like a very wise person said “we should not pass it on to our kids”. That’s the only way we can slowly start getting rid of it.
I have to disagree with your comment "I think we are living in a society that is worse now than ever". It only seems worse because we are much more sensitive to racism and inequality. Hilary and Barack are proof that things are better. Even if neither become president, it is clear that we have taken a huge leap forward. I doubt that even MLK could have imagined so much progress in so little time.
WoW! It's a sad story. :o(
That is a perfect example for the story I wrote on my other blog: Don't let your children inherit hate.
It's interesting how in our country, something like this happening would probably be all over the news, yet people in third world countries have no choice but to accept it and swallow their pride.
Thank you America.
I like the anagram but what's the "K"?
In response to last anon...
I have a very intelligent friend graduated with honors from a TN university in 12/2001. He is a mechanical engineer and while hie whole class found jobs he could not. Why???
His name is Mohammed Abushaqra. He is palestinian. His quote on racism is "try finding a job wih my name after 9-11".
Thank You America??
Last anonymous, aren't there laws against discrimination in our country? I would strongly encourage he be more assertive and take actions into his own hands.
Companies should not discriminate against race, sex, age, period. There are laws that protect him.
The place where I work has a very healthy mix of nationalities, including people who's names are Mohammed. I wish him luck.
America
In response to anon2...
I didn't say that prejudice does not exist anymore in the US. Only that things are better. Obviously Americans are not perfect. Remember, the attacks on 911 were only possible because we had given the attackers free access to our country. They lived amoung us while they trained and planned for the attack. After 911, we reacted out of fear and many good people suffered as a result. But consider this, only 2 elections later we have a presidential candidate named "Barack Hussein Obama". What chance would a guy named "George Bush" have of finding a job in the Middle East, much less, becoming a president?
-anon1
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