I recently received the following email and wanted to share it with you guys to see what you think.
The original post is entitled "Talking Smack about The DR."
Here's the email completely unedited:
"You?re a gringo and talk a lot of smack about the DR. What gives you the right? How would you like it if I (a Dominican) started a blog and trashed the States? If it?s so bad why don?t you leave?"- Rafael in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
Here was my reply:
"Rafael,
I can?t turn on a TV, radio, computer or watch smoke-signals without catching criticism of my country. So, your blog wouldn?t make much of a difference. Sorry.
I?m a firm believer in peoples? right to bitch about anything they want. As for my criticism of the DR, I believe I have 100% earned the right to criticize the Dominican Republic however I wish. I?ve lived, taught high school, worked for a division of the Supreme Court, done charity work, and paid taxes here for almost 6 years. In addition, my wife is Dominican and I have already started the process to become a naturalized Dominican citizen. If that?s not good enough for you then stop reading. I won?t be offended.
As for me leaving the island, I guess I could do that. But then my blogging would be almost exclusively about American politics and Americans would be asking me ?if the U.S. is so bad why don?t you just leave?? So, for right now, the warm, tropical climate, beautiful beaches, and cold beer are winning. Thanks for the suggestion though."
So, am I right or wrong? You be the judge. Not that it'll stop me at all but I'm curious.
Thoughts?
RHM
The original post is entitled "Talking Smack about The DR."
Here's the email completely unedited:
"You?re a gringo and talk a lot of smack about the DR. What gives you the right? How would you like it if I (a Dominican) started a blog and trashed the States? If it?s so bad why don?t you leave?"- Rafael in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
Here was my reply:
"Rafael,
I can?t turn on a TV, radio, computer or watch smoke-signals without catching criticism of my country. So, your blog wouldn?t make much of a difference. Sorry.
I?m a firm believer in peoples? right to bitch about anything they want. As for my criticism of the DR, I believe I have 100% earned the right to criticize the Dominican Republic however I wish. I?ve lived, taught high school, worked for a division of the Supreme Court, done charity work, and paid taxes here for almost 6 years. In addition, my wife is Dominican and I have already started the process to become a naturalized Dominican citizen. If that?s not good enough for you then stop reading. I won?t be offended.
As for me leaving the island, I guess I could do that. But then my blogging would be almost exclusively about American politics and Americans would be asking me ?if the U.S. is so bad why don?t you just leave?? So, for right now, the warm, tropical climate, beautiful beaches, and cold beer are winning. Thanks for the suggestion though."
So, am I right or wrong? You be the judge. Not that it'll stop me at all but I'm curious.
Thoughts?
RHM