I am from Perth Amboy, NJ and to be honest although I live here I want to know more about the Dominican community in here, especially how this particular community can be compared with other areas in the U.S. with high concentrations of Dominicans. That is because despite my name I am not a Dominican. I apologize if I sound like an imposter or if I offend anybody here for having a name that sounds like I were Dominican. I just picked a username and at that same time I was thinking about the "Sons of Italy" (Hijo de ____). That's when I noticed some Dominicans I know come from Bonao. I am actually a Peruvian American. Well anyway, here's what I've noticed about our Dominican community.
Although according to the Census taken in 2000, Perth Amboy was only 19% Dominican, I estimate to be much higher. It's largely because of the large illegal Dominican population, the recent arrivals from the Dominican Republic that have arrived since then and the decline of other communities including the Polish and the Puerto Ricans. Yes, Perth Amboy has seen a decline in the Puerto Rican population. Puerto Ricans used to account for 3/4 of the Hispanics in the city but those days are long gone. Today, Dominicans make up the largest ethnic group in Perth Amboy. I estimate the number to be around 30% of the city?s population.
Dominicans are spread throughout Perth Amboy however because Dominicans are statistically the poorest major ethnic group in the city, there still relatively few of them in the more middle-class neighborhoods. An overwhelming number of Dominicans in the city are young, poor, and first generation immigrants that lack a formal education that came from the Dominican Republic?s rural countryside but then again that phenomeneon is seen throughout the US. However this does not hinder many of them from progressing. The Dominicans own a significant number of the small businesses and most of the Hispanic-owned businesses in Perth Amboy whether they be bodegas, small restaurants, travel agencies, taxi companies, or beauty salons. There is a restaurant by the name of Bonao Restaurant that became so popular it now has two locations. The newer one is on Amboy Avenue and has a bar but many residents say that the original Bonao serves much better food. Also, many of the city?s Dominican youth are attending colleges despite the fact that many of them are the first ones in their families to go on to college. I read up stats (and actually put it on wikipedia) that 21% of all second generation Dominican Americans over the age of 25 have a college degree compared to 12% of all U.S. born Puerto Ricans and 13% of all U.S. born Mexicans. I have always held the opinion that despite being under abysmal circumstances, Dominicans strive very hard in whatever they do. I mean, Dominicans are statistically the poorest ethnic group in the United States but they and their children make great strides to move up the socioeconomic ladder. Although others may not see their progress, statistics like the one aforementioned could easily confute the stereotypes that Dominicans are "lazy" and "stupid".
Despite the large number of Dominicans the city has, since Dominicans are a relatively recent group they still don?t have much of a voice in city politics. The council president is Puerto Rican and the mayor is half. The rest of the council is White (I think Italian and Polish to be more specific).
Is there anything else I should know about the city's Dominican community? I ask bc no matter how much I may study and read up on Dominican and Dominican American culture although I may learn a lot, I will never have a perception of a Dominican. Like I said, I am not Dominican. Thanks.
Although according to the Census taken in 2000, Perth Amboy was only 19% Dominican, I estimate to be much higher. It's largely because of the large illegal Dominican population, the recent arrivals from the Dominican Republic that have arrived since then and the decline of other communities including the Polish and the Puerto Ricans. Yes, Perth Amboy has seen a decline in the Puerto Rican population. Puerto Ricans used to account for 3/4 of the Hispanics in the city but those days are long gone. Today, Dominicans make up the largest ethnic group in Perth Amboy. I estimate the number to be around 30% of the city?s population.
Dominicans are spread throughout Perth Amboy however because Dominicans are statistically the poorest major ethnic group in the city, there still relatively few of them in the more middle-class neighborhoods. An overwhelming number of Dominicans in the city are young, poor, and first generation immigrants that lack a formal education that came from the Dominican Republic?s rural countryside but then again that phenomeneon is seen throughout the US. However this does not hinder many of them from progressing. The Dominicans own a significant number of the small businesses and most of the Hispanic-owned businesses in Perth Amboy whether they be bodegas, small restaurants, travel agencies, taxi companies, or beauty salons. There is a restaurant by the name of Bonao Restaurant that became so popular it now has two locations. The newer one is on Amboy Avenue and has a bar but many residents say that the original Bonao serves much better food. Also, many of the city?s Dominican youth are attending colleges despite the fact that many of them are the first ones in their families to go on to college. I read up stats (and actually put it on wikipedia) that 21% of all second generation Dominican Americans over the age of 25 have a college degree compared to 12% of all U.S. born Puerto Ricans and 13% of all U.S. born Mexicans. I have always held the opinion that despite being under abysmal circumstances, Dominicans strive very hard in whatever they do. I mean, Dominicans are statistically the poorest ethnic group in the United States but they and their children make great strides to move up the socioeconomic ladder. Although others may not see their progress, statistics like the one aforementioned could easily confute the stereotypes that Dominicans are "lazy" and "stupid".
Despite the large number of Dominicans the city has, since Dominicans are a relatively recent group they still don?t have much of a voice in city politics. The council president is Puerto Rican and the mayor is half. The rest of the council is White (I think Italian and Polish to be more specific).
Is there anything else I should know about the city's Dominican community? I ask bc no matter how much I may study and read up on Dominican and Dominican American culture although I may learn a lot, I will never have a perception of a Dominican. Like I said, I am not Dominican. Thanks.