PART 1
For my ethnography, I would have to interview someone who is professionally or directly involved in the Dominican culture. I will interview Michelle Perez, she is from the Dominican Republic. She was born and raised in DR and has kept with the culture and its norms her entire life. Michelle should be able to help me get more involved with the culture as well as help me understand more about it. She has been in New York for the majority of her life but that has not stopped her from blending her New York and Dominican culture. I chose her because I know she is directly involved but I still want to know more about her involvement. She is directly involved and I still want to know more.
The interview took place on a zoom call. We began the interview with introductions. I proceeded with asking her the first question which was “where in Dominican Republic are you from?”. She told me she was from Santo Domingo which is the capital of Dominican Republic. More about Santo Domingo, it is located on the southeast coast of Hispaniola. It was founded in 1496 by Bartholomew Columbus, which is Christopher Columbus’ brother. I then asked Michelle, What are some traditions of her culture?” Her answer was church on Sundays, big parties on big events like birthdays, horasantas. Michelle explained with the hint of amusement in her eye that horasantas are prayers to God. They read parts of the bible and use the rosary. When she was a kid, her mother told her that if she did not behave, she would not get presents from Santa Claus. We both laughed at the thought because I am also hispanic so I can relate. The next question was “what did you do for fun”. Michelle had to think back, she paused for about 5 minutes. She then said “I used to play with my dolls and run outside and play with the other kids”. It brought back memories to when I was a kid playing in the backyard.
I started to get deeper with my questions. I wanted to know more from her youth. The question was “did you go to school in DR? If so how was it?”. Michelle looked at me with sad eyes and said “Yes I did go to school but only for a few months because I moved to New York. But when I did go to school in Dominican Republic, we wore uniforms and the teachers were very strict”. Since she moved to New York I asked “How was the change from DR to NYC? Did it take you long to adjust to the New York American lifestyle?” she responded profoundly, “Yes it took very long since I had to learn the language. There were tall buildings which were not in Dr. Also, it was very fast paced in New York”. I agreed with her because to get anywhere, as a New Yorker we had to walk very fast everywhere. It was funny too because as she was recalling her first moments in NYC she looked scared, like she was having flashbacks.
To take it back, I asked her if she had any food or souvenirs that are common to bring from DR to NYC? Miss Perez said sweets, cheese, shampoo and conditioner are the most common. I laughed at the weird combo. “What kind of music originated from Dominican Republic” was the second to last question on my list. She said “Bachata”. The last question was “what makes Dominican Republic so different from other countries, for example like Cuba”. She went on to say “The government is different, they’re more liberal than Cuba. The accent is also different. In DR they talk more fast paced”. We closed off our interview and said our farewells and that concluded our interview/ zoom call. I would like to thank Michelle Perez for her time and for being my interviewee.
PART 2
Watching this documentary, it gave me a new eye opener. The narrator was stating how Columbus founded the island in 1492, colonization took a toll on the island. As being a Dominican born in America, all I have ever known was New York. It wasn’t until my mom wanted me to go to the Dominican Republic to meet my family for the first time. In the documentary, it is shown how hard the residents have it. They have to go through great depths just to make a living. While I was visiting, I saw where my mother lived, and I saw how they have to bathe; I even saw where they would spend their time with other family members. I remember one time we went out to go see one of my mom’s family members and I just remember how old and torn down the place looked. Here in New York, buildings are huge, built of glass and other various mediums. However, in the part of DR I was in, It’s just rock holding everything up. It kind of looked sad. I also remember there were a lot of stray kittens and dogs, it was all so sad. Some were missing a foot or even other parts of their body. Watching this documentary, they made the island look beautiful but deep down there are a lot of people struggling.
Some residents, like a man named Rapahel, struggled for money. Some of them set up carts to sell food and other goods just to get by. This one lady said she did not have enough money to put food on the table or even send her kids to school since her shop was closed down. Another resident said, it was God’s gift to help them live the life they deserve. It takes me back to the interview I had with Michelle and how religion played a part of their traditions. God is in everything they do and they look up to him for guidance. In the documentary it was said how some residents set up shops to buy and sell lottery tickets to make ends meet.They buy the lottery tickets in hopes of getting the mega millions or the jackpot. Residents say they give their all for lottery tickets.
The beaches as seen in the documentary are beautiful. The beaches are the spot where tourists go the most. However, it was said that there’s a beach close to the residents where some of the trash goes. They still have to swim in there as it is the water closest to them. The beach with the cleanest water is 12 miles from where they stay. It’s crazy because the people swimming look happy to be there even though it’s not the cleanest water. One guy, Nabi from Germany came to the Dominican Republic because of how beautiful it is. He said the cold nights of Germany are nothing compared to the tropics of Santo Domingo. Speaking of beaches and water, the northern part of the island is where a man named JC fishes to get fresh fish for his restaurant. Every day he goes at a certain time to get his catch of the day; he gets a 7 pound fish to supply his needs.
To end this part, the ending of the documentary was wholesome and heartwarming. The narrator said that despite the economic hardships of the residents, they still live happily. I believe the people make the island and the island is not what makes the people. These people have music nights. It’s a tradition for everyone to come together, young and old, and dance to the music the musicians, which are also the people, produce. The island is so beautiful but not because of the sights but because of how amazing the people are and how they don’t let the obstacles get in their way. They make the most of their situation.
PART 3
As said in part 2, one of the traditions Dominicans have is music nights. As seen in these photos, is my family out on the town having fun sitting outside. We were all listening to music and dancing the night away. There are also pictures of more things I spoke about in part 2. Enjoy!
Bibliography
Granos, Juan, director. Dominican Republic Documentary. 2011. Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpAUlGocK4Y.
