Two interesting items in today's DR1 News Summary on the subject of the tolerance of Dominicans toward abuse. One speaks of the seeming acceptance of abuse by the police, the other urges Dominicans to be more vocal about being over charged for electricity.
Are Dominicans too tolerant? If so, why? Are they too disorganized? Is it because they believe what happens to them is God's will and must be accepted? Is there something in their blood that causes them to be too tolerant? Is it because the leaders who should be leading the protest are in cahoots with the abusers?
I've often thought during the 16 years that I have lived here that the Dominican people are surprisingly tolerant of all of the abuse that has been heaped on them during this period. I'm sure that in many countries there would have been less tolerance by the people.
The tolerance of the people is a plus in many ways; it keeps the DR out of the news attention focused by CNN and others on organized, effective protest movements. And I would rather not have to put up with the inconvience caused by nationwide strikes.
But I do think that the Dominican people would be better off if there was less confidence on the part of political leaders and others that they can pretty much do what they please without fear of any repercussions as the polls or elsewhere.
Why this tolerance of abuse? Is there any reason to believe that it will not continue--both the abuse as well as the acceptance of it?
Are Dominicans too tolerant? If so, why? Are they too disorganized? Is it because they believe what happens to them is God's will and must be accepted? Is there something in their blood that causes them to be too tolerant? Is it because the leaders who should be leading the protest are in cahoots with the abusers?
I've often thought during the 16 years that I have lived here that the Dominican people are surprisingly tolerant of all of the abuse that has been heaped on them during this period. I'm sure that in many countries there would have been less tolerance by the people.
The tolerance of the people is a plus in many ways; it keeps the DR out of the news attention focused by CNN and others on organized, effective protest movements. And I would rather not have to put up with the inconvience caused by nationwide strikes.
But I do think that the Dominican people would be better off if there was less confidence on the part of political leaders and others that they can pretty much do what they please without fear of any repercussions as the polls or elsewhere.
Why this tolerance of abuse? Is there any reason to believe that it will not continue--both the abuse as well as the acceptance of it?