Confronting Colorism: The Complexities of Dominican Identity

In a recent episode of Love and Hip-Hop Miami, the spotlight honed in on a troubling reality within the Dominican community as Amara La Negra, a dark-skinned Dominican artist, faced a confrontation with the father of her twin daughters. The confrontation took a distressing turn when he hurled derogatory remarks at her, attacking her for her complexion, calling her a “black bitch” and stating, “nobody wants your black ass.” This incident, while disturbing, is a stark reflection of the deep-seated colorism issues that persist within not only amongst Dominicans but within the Latino culture. Fans didn’t’ hesitate to take to social media to confront him about his ignorant comments which further fueled a conversation about why many Dominicans are so anti-black? A conversation that many are afraid to have and dive into.

Alan calling Amara a black ass is definitely showing his Dominican colorist tendencies. #LHHMIA pic.twitter.com/xyImJZqjym

— Lolalove❣️ (@NinaKaprisun) April 2, 2024

Colorism, the prejudice, or discrimination against individuals with a darker skin tone, has long plagued societies worldwide. In the context of Dominican culture, it connects with deeper complexities of historical and social dynamics. There is a reason why the “I no black, I Dominican” memes are so prevalent on social media, it’s because the harsh realities of Dominicans anti-black rhetoric’s have spanned across the globe for the world to see. The roots of colorism among Dominicans can be traced back to the country’s colonial past and its legacy of slavery and racial hierarchy.

The Dominican Republic, like many Caribbean nations, has a rich and diverse heritage shaped by its history of colonization and African heritage. Despite being a racially mixed population, with a significant African ancestry, colorism has saturated a large population of Dominican society, leading to the marginalization and discrimination of darker-skinned individuals.

The issue of colorism hasn’t just hurt its own people of Dominican Republic but has hurt those who they share an island with. The country of Haiti and its people have historically had issues of tension with its Dominican neighbors. This animosity often manifests in anti-Haitian rhetoric’s by Dominicans, further maintaining discriminatory attitudes towards individuals with darker complexions.

As a Dominican man myself, I have witnessed firsthand the prevalence of racism within my community. I have seen distant family members who have expressed derogatory views towards darker-skinned individuals, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and attitudes. This ingrained prejudice is a reflection of the broader societal attitudes that prioritize lighter skin tones and perpetuate the myth of racial superiority.

Related: Who’s Your Afro-Latino Hero? | Blacktinidad

To really grasp and understand the roots of colorism within the Dominican community, you must dive into the country’s history of many complexities. The Dominican Republic’s colonial legacy, marked by European colonization and the transatlantic slave trade, has shaped societal attitudes towards race and identity. The legacy of slavery and colonialism has left a lasting imprint on Dominican culture, contributing to the perpetuation of colorism and racial discrimination.

The historical longevity of colorism within the Dominican culture has often served as a means of maintaining power and privilege within society, a European taught construct of believing that lighter skin is often associated with higher social status and opportunities.

Addressing the issue of colorism within the Dominican community requires a deep and educational conversation to serve as a reminder of the roots of the Dominican people. It takes harsh conversations and realistic world viewpoints to educate those Dominicans who are ignorant to their ancestral background. This conversation often requires promoting education and awareness about the DR’s heritage and confronting the legacy of racism and discrimination head on and why it further diminishes the roots of where the Dominicans come from.

In the end, the incident that involved Amara La Negra truly serves as a sad reminder of the deep-rooted issues of colorism and discrimination within Dominican society. It’s truly important to have conversations of education and showcase love and inclusivity for all no matter what skin tone you are. It is a reminder that Dominicans need to wake up and educate themselves and understand their past to further expand the future of visibility and togetherness.