easygoin said:
Why people categorize.... black or white in the DR? Staying in Santiago every morning I get up at five, and wait to see who comes by, and to help sweep the road. Seen many more black businessmen dressed very nice.. than Caucasians. Even at my hotel you can see the people of color have a lot more class. I would love to know why this is, being from what I heard the darker you are the less valuable..... or less chance of moving up the ladder.
funny you say this.. first you ask why people are categorised into black and white in the DR.. then you go on to say that in your experience black people have a lot more class..
While I have limited experience in this it is my understanding that, in general, the whiter skin is perceived as being of more European lineage (former masters) and the darker skin is perceived as being of more African lineage (former slaves).. with this comes the notion of possession of land and property.. it itherefore seen as an indication of whealth or pedigree..
Given the current changing environment (darker people are also becoming succesful) this stereotype might be eroding a little, but is still prevalent in the DR..
Just one side note.. how you dress and how much class you have are imo two different things.. I know some people in Santiago who dress like they don't care what they wear (and prob don't) but still possess a lot of class.. you should not judge a book by its cover too easily.. or to quote a somewhat famous poem:
All that is gold does not glitter
Not all those who wander are lost
The old that is stong does not wither
Deep roots are not touched by the frost
From the ashes a fire shall be woken
A light from the shadows shall spring
Renewed shall be blade that was broken
And the crownless again shall be King.
