<<The reason why I mention this is because the fundamental difference between an exile community and an immigrant community is that people who live in exile want to go back to their country and they hope that their life abroad is temporary but an immigrant community has chosen a new home abroad in order to prosper. If they do go back to their country of origin it's usually in their later years. Deelt, to your point this is possibly why you are saying that success is limited in examining Dominicans as a whole in the US because of the mentality or ideology behind limiting their lives to "the Heights" etc. Correct?>>
I think your analysis is well informed, and an excellent analysis in general of mass migrations of peoples not born in the US (however there are many combinations of the two you mention which you don't cover). However, this same mentality is precisely why many Dominicans in New York (and other cities) desperately want to move back to the DR after making their money.
Even as I am firmly ensconsed (sp?) in the American Corporate machine, I find that the typical Urban-American chooses to live their life at a pace which is extremely unhealthy. Over the past 8 years in the US, I have been stuck in a culture which overanalyzes, over-defines, categorizes pretty much everything around it....and ALWAYS strives to be something "better". Many people would respond that is simply an intellectual approach to life, but it is one I wish to escape as quickly as possible to save my sanity and reduce my blood pressure....when my bank account has swelled sufficiently.
I strongly feel that people in general should accept that the "American" experience differs for every culture. Dominicans have carved their own niche in NY, they don't particularly care for the American culture but do love the ability to make more money. They are also generally very appreciative of jobs "native" americans feel are "beneath" them. You must remember the American lower income bracket you mention would be upper middle class in the Dominican Republic. Why strive for more when you just increased your earnings by 5000%?
I'm sure many of you on these boards can relate to this. How many of you have lived in the DR for one or more years and still can't hold a decent conversation in Spanish? How many of you complain nightly at your homes in Sosua or PP about how the Dominican culture drives you nuts? But most of you moved to the DR for economic reasons, the promise of cheap living, maids, and a life on the beach while still having some "American" luxuries available (Burger King, American resorts etc). Eventually, you'll all move back to the States or Canada when your need for prescription medicines and medical care become a necessity or other family needs come up. In other words 99% of you have absolutely no intent of permanently becoming "one" with the Dominican Republic.
Why is it so hard for many Americans and Canadians to fathom that Dominicans and many other immigrants wish to do something similar in the US? The US offers them a piece of luxury they simply can't find in the DR, easy jobs which pay 50 times more than they would in the DR. So they, much like you are doing, max out their economic benefits for a set period of time and head back to their own country.
I think it's extremely egotisical for Americans in general to assume that ALL people MUST want to permanently stay in the US. It's a great country in many ways, but also in many ways it is the most stressful, intense country in the world. At many times I find myself asking what the hell I am still doing here when I could be in the DR at a bodega chatting it up with the locals and having a few beers. Sure I'd be a lot poorer, but my shoulders wouldn't be tight as hell, and my heart rate and blood pressure would be lower.......but of course it's all about the money. I'm sure that's the same conclusion many of you come to when you consider moving back to the States. (Hmm 3000 dollar rent per month for a small apt in Boston, or 300 a month in Sosua near the beach?) It's just sort of inverted for many Dominicans (2000 dollars per month cleaning houses or 2000 pesos? Stress out for my family in the DR by working hard in the US for a few more years, or return home empty handed?)
I'm rambling at this point, and I truly mean no offense. But I hope many of you get where I'm coming from. Just because a country is economically rich, doesn't mean it's day to day culture is palatable for prolonged periods for ALL other cultures. Obviously same goes for all cultures.