Large majority admits racism in the Dominican Republic
In a study carried out in Dajabon and Santo Domingo, 83.4% of the Dominican population admits that that live in a racist society, as evidenced by the rejection of dark skin and the insults and mistreatment of the darker people. The study was carried out by the Jesuit Service for Immigration and Refugees. The study surveyed over 500 people in Dajabon (33% of the sample) and 12 different neighborhoods in Santo Domingo (67% of the sample). The study concludes that prejudice is nearly a universal characteristic among the groups studied. Accordingly, 80.6% of the mestizo population studied said that the Dominican society was racist, while an even higher percentage of blacks and whites perceived the racism. (86.1% and 87.5% respectively). Nearly a quarter of the sample said that racism was expressed by a “denial of rights” and another 20% talked about verbal abuse, insults and injustices. The sample group included government employees, community leaders, educators, religious personnel, unionists and medical personnel. According to Carlos Andujar, the study leader, the racist theme has been shameful, selective and exclusionary within a society that prides itself on its Hispanic heritage. The theme has been banned in Dominican literature, and by the people that shape public opinion. Andujar said that even the intellectuals have shunned the topic.