Hi all,
Things have changed quite a bit since the mid and late 1800?s but I?m interested in the opinions that DR1 History buffs have regarding the historical significance and relevance of Dr. Ram?n Emeterio Betances.
He was the one with the idea of a formal alliance among the free creole nations of the Greater Antilles (Cuba, both nations of Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico). We now still see that PR has noticeable economic development but lacks sovereignty because it never won independence; Cuba gained its independence, was able to flourish for a while but because of excesses of the conservatives then fell to be ruled by an undemocratic leftist regime; Haiti was first (after the US) in gaining its freedom from foreign masters in the Americas, but has been dead last in economic development for a very long time; and then we have the DR, which in theory is free and democratic and growing economically but again slowed by the same inefficiencies of 2 centuries ago: political opportunism, corruption, favoritism, and anti-business legal framework. We are again with the opportunity to lead, and again seem to be failing ourselves and our sister nations.
We tend to focus on the bad guys of the XIXth century: B?ez, Santana, Lil?s, easily identifiable conservative/despotic predecessors of Trujillo and Balaguer of the XXth century. But have a lower level of collective awareness of the progressive and heroic element of that era. Men like Luper?n and Meri?o, Hostos, Betances, Mart?. These guys thought rationally and regionally. They had a concept of empowerment for the people of the Antilles; abolition of slavery, end to colonial rule, secular education for the masses, free and representative electoral systems, judiciary independence, formal development of entrepreneurship and economic development, etc.. And rather than focus on petty issues like many of us seem to do these days; Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, and Haitians should be helping each other out. All these nations have had socio-political cross-pollination for centuries, and best exemplified, in my opinion by Betances. He was a true ?hermano? to the peoples of all these islands and nations.
The frequently forgotten Dr. Betances was many things: a scientist, a humanist, a politician, a diplomat, a thinker, an orator, a writer, an abolitionist, a revolutionary, a businessman, etc. Betances? biography is quite impressive and many of us forget that people like him did exist back then. I strongly recommended to read these articles before entering the discussion:
Ramón Emeterio Betances - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Wikipedia article seems to have been written by a freemason, but if you disregard this bias it does make good summary of the man?s imprint in Caribbean life.
Pasi?n dominicana del Doctor Betances
Betances is a leading figure in PR and Cuba. But the French investigator that gave this talk in PR about Betances? , highlights the man?s relevance as a Dominican.Too bad it is in Spanish only.
Regards,
Tordok
Things have changed quite a bit since the mid and late 1800?s but I?m interested in the opinions that DR1 History buffs have regarding the historical significance and relevance of Dr. Ram?n Emeterio Betances.
He was the one with the idea of a formal alliance among the free creole nations of the Greater Antilles (Cuba, both nations of Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico). We now still see that PR has noticeable economic development but lacks sovereignty because it never won independence; Cuba gained its independence, was able to flourish for a while but because of excesses of the conservatives then fell to be ruled by an undemocratic leftist regime; Haiti was first (after the US) in gaining its freedom from foreign masters in the Americas, but has been dead last in economic development for a very long time; and then we have the DR, which in theory is free and democratic and growing economically but again slowed by the same inefficiencies of 2 centuries ago: political opportunism, corruption, favoritism, and anti-business legal framework. We are again with the opportunity to lead, and again seem to be failing ourselves and our sister nations.
We tend to focus on the bad guys of the XIXth century: B?ez, Santana, Lil?s, easily identifiable conservative/despotic predecessors of Trujillo and Balaguer of the XXth century. But have a lower level of collective awareness of the progressive and heroic element of that era. Men like Luper?n and Meri?o, Hostos, Betances, Mart?. These guys thought rationally and regionally. They had a concept of empowerment for the people of the Antilles; abolition of slavery, end to colonial rule, secular education for the masses, free and representative electoral systems, judiciary independence, formal development of entrepreneurship and economic development, etc.. And rather than focus on petty issues like many of us seem to do these days; Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, and Haitians should be helping each other out. All these nations have had socio-political cross-pollination for centuries, and best exemplified, in my opinion by Betances. He was a true ?hermano? to the peoples of all these islands and nations.
The frequently forgotten Dr. Betances was many things: a scientist, a humanist, a politician, a diplomat, a thinker, an orator, a writer, an abolitionist, a revolutionary, a businessman, etc. Betances? biography is quite impressive and many of us forget that people like him did exist back then. I strongly recommended to read these articles before entering the discussion:
Ramón Emeterio Betances - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Wikipedia article seems to have been written by a freemason, but if you disregard this bias it does make good summary of the man?s imprint in Caribbean life.
Pasi?n dominicana del Doctor Betances
Betances is a leading figure in PR and Cuba. But the French investigator that gave this talk in PR about Betances? , highlights the man?s relevance as a Dominican.Too bad it is in Spanish only.
Regards,
Tordok