I feel like many Dominicans realize that they are very dark-skinned (at least compared to most of Latin America) and have a different hair texture, but they don't understand that they have Black ancestry, aka African roots. I remember reading about a college professor or something going to DR to study Black history etc. and one of the waiters who was serving her got angry and told her to go to Haiti to study Blacks. Even my mom didn't like that my sister suggested dancing some Dominican dance (don't remember what its called) for her pagaent and she turned her down because it "looked too African". Hello, I'd say that at least 90% of Dominicans have African roots. Even me who has been mistaken for everything from Spanish to Italian to Brazilian realizes that I have Black ancestry. I will admit, that I do embrace European traditions/ customs more, but at least I acknowledge that we have Africa to thank for ALOT.