Dominican Self Hate

Not only does self hate loom in the African American culture in the US it also predominates in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic was inhabited by Christopher Columbus who brought with him many African slaves there to cultivate cotton, sugar cane and other natural goods. Unlike African Americans though the Dominican population was so heavily influenced by Spanish Imperialism in the Island of Hispaniola that most Dominican even charcoal black Dominicans today do not claim themselves as black. Imperialistic colonizers sought to convert the Taino populations of the DR as well as the African population into Christianity. Much of the culture was mixed therefore Dominicans today come in all different shades of Brown.

Dominican girls Luz Freiney Paulina, from left, Esther Celeste Santana, Mayelin Eloisa Valdez and Melisa Valdez, comprise the dance troupe Las Nizas. Below, Dominican author Manuel Nunez writes about the issues of 'black' and 'Dominican' as they relate to the history in his country. (Candace Barbot/Miami Herald)

Deeply rooted into the Dominican psyche was the concept of White is good Black is bad. Even though the White colonizers from Spain where the ones to destroy the original Taino tribal culture that existed there: enslaved them, tore families apart, and raped their women. When the Taino people could do no more shipped in ship loads of Africans to increase man labor and harvest crops. The Dominican population does not identify with Blackness. The Dominican population perceives Darker skin and other physically predominant Black features as bad, ugly, and lower class. About 90% of the Dominican population today has African ancestry. The DR is the only country in the entire world whose populations is mostly descendant from Africa yet fails to acknowledge its blackness.

Sensitive Nature of Black Self Definition in the DR. Society is Integrated but far from Color Blind.

So deeply brainwashed is the pop. of the DR that it is known for its predominant and flourishing hair salon businesses. Much like the African American women in the US Dominican women would do anything than to be caught dead wearing their natural "nappy hair."

Yara Matos holds her hair extensions as a stylist in the Herrera neighborhood prepares to give her the look of long, straight hair. (Candace Barbot/Miami Herald) http://www.miamiherald.com/multimedia/news/afrolatin/part2/index.html

Mariana Ramirez smiles as she sits in Daisy Gran Salon in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. (Candace Barbot/Miami Herald)

It is normal for a Dominican females to relax their hair as early as 5 years old. This is a life long process that many do not grow out of. Even women who have "good" hair due to their prominent European descendancy relax their hair without needing to. The research and funding that goes into Dominican hair products (for black hair) is very extensive. Dominican hairstylists are even gaining wide popularity in the United States for being able to maintain healthy hair that ranges from slightly wavy to very coarse due to the many differences in backgrounds.

There is nothing wrong with maintaining healthy hair but many of the treatments that are recommended encourage damaging your hair's natural state. Dominican hairstylists are experts on converting natural curly and coarse hair into very straight sleek and shiny. There is nothing wrong with that once in a while but when will be the day when the DR accepts that it is fine to let your hair out. Instead of encouraging shiny sleek hair when will it be okay to encourage wearing your hair's natural curly state. When will it be okay in the Dominican Republic to encourage afro's, and cornrows. When will others stop looking down upon moreno's for their kinks or curly hair?

When will it be okay in the Dominican Republic to be BLACK? It has been so ingrained in Dominican culture that blackness is bad that many go as far as selecting a mate that does not have prominent black features. Those who have big noses, big lips, coarser hair, even less income. Those of prominent African roots are treated differently, even badly by the rest of the Dominican population and usually are in the lower part of the socioeconomic spectrum. This including racial slurs, and demeaning comments. Many dark Dominicans being excluded for the rest of their lives.

What will it take for this behavior and way of thinking to be transformed into one of greater acceptance? Why haven't black Dominicans in the DR revolted or spoke up for themselves? The only way to stop this is for darker skinned Dominicans to stand up for themselves as a whole, not try to assimilate themselves with the rest of the trigueno population. To let their voice be heard either through music, activism, or politics. They have to be forceful and confident. After so many years of Independence the DR still has a long way to go. A revolution must occur in the DR, but only if the morenos have the courage to stand up for themselves carve their path and encourage acceptance of their African Roots.

The Miami Herald has done a 5 part series on The Voice of Afro-Americans: Covering The D.R., Cuba, Nicaragua, and Brazil.  Here's for more information on the Dominican Black Denial.


See also:
Colourism

Dominican Hair Products

Are  Dominican Blowouts Healthy?

Theme song

"EARTH!"
"FIRE!"
"WIND!"
"WATER!"
"HEART!"

"Go Planet!"

"By your powers combined, I am Captain Planet!"

Captain Planet, he's our hero
Gonna take pollution down to zero

He's our powers magnified
And he's fighting on the planet's side

Captain Planet, he's our hero
Gonna take pollution down to zero

Gonna help him put asunder
Bad guys who like to loot and plunder

"You'll pay for this Captain Planet!"

We're the Planeteers
You can be one too
'Cause saving our planet is the thing to do!

Looting and polluting is not the way
Hear what Captain Planet has to say!

"The Power is Yours!"

African American Community and Self Hate

I am a strong believer that the black community as well as other Afro-descendants are in serious need of psychological help. Any community inhabited by minorities should have its fair share of Psychologists, mentors, counselors. Unfortunately they don't. Slavery occurred and black people never received a sorry. Even the families and victims of the Holocaust received a sorry, but African American and other African descendants have will probably never share this luck. The psyche of the black community is fucked up to say the least. Loads of low self-esteem and self hate. Many of the violence, criminal acts, incarcerations, baby mama syndrome, narcotic transportation, are a result of this self hatred and segregation from the more "elite" race. Through the creation of ghettos, lack of funding, lack of psychological help, and motivation, slavery(this one is pretty OBVIOUS), the black community has fallen into a very deep whole and trying to dig themselves out of it. Lets stop the cycle of Ignorance and Enter a place of acceptance.

1. Black Women and Self Hate: Natural Hair/Weaves: This is a video about black women and self hate from a Black man to Black women. It definitely summarizes key issues of black women and insecurities. I thought it was on point and it was created by a young black dude. The gentleman who posted these videos is very insightful, well-spoken, intelligent, yet blunt!
2. Distinction between Biracial and Mixed African American: In Africa, before imperialism black people already came in different complexions not everyone was jet black due to the differences in geographical features in Africa. Not everyone was black blue!
3. White men are strong but Black men are stronger: The untapped strength of the black community.
4. BLACK WOMAN, Explain Why You Have So Many Babies OUT OF WEDLOCK:More Black women need to educate themselves and stop cycle of having babies out of wedlock. Education will set you free. Truth will set you free. Once the level of EDUCATED black females increases substantially, black men will have to get their shit together and see black women as more alluring.
5. Relationships between black men and black women:This part 1 of 3 part series check it out!
   

TBC

Commentary on 2 girls 1 cup

This has nothing to do with what my blog is supposed to be about or what my purpose is with this blog at all. Its a commentary on this really weird disgusting video. I wish I could censor this so that younger kids who come across this never read it, this is for adults. I never watched it and refuse to, my imagination is vivid enough that I can picture it in my head as if I were right there standing in front of them and experiencing it live. I also never want those images to stick in my head. I never want my brain to capture that shit and store it in some small little cell somewhere among my neurons forever. There are crazy people in this world who have very vivid imaginations, strange fetishes, and who are in serious need of psychological help. Crazier than the filmmaker who came up with this and is willing to film it and mass distribute this type of content worldwide are the actors involved. PORNSTARS. Just because you watch someone jumping off a bridge does not mean you have to follow in their footsteps. What ever happened to normal porn. Anyways, I really do think that there is a difference between artistic license and insanity. These videos are for pure shock value but isnt talking or even reading something horrifyingly nasty enough. Putting it on video for all to see with real people. Its so animalistic, I dont think even cavemen did that shit! Only animals do that shit and even then its only for nutritional value not for sexual pleasure. Soooooooo fucking weeiird::::DEMENTIA::: I know Im madd late with this. It came out like last spring but not until now did I care to find out about it. And the females featured in that video... how come they are not sent to psychiatrists they need medicine. What could even lead a female to do that...extreme low self esteem and self worth...or MONEY. I hate money. THe things people do for money...its like one of the last entries I wrote.. everything revolves around money...so sad..so animalistic...so insane...demented...not even tribal people who exist today do that...so primal..Just goes to show that humans no matter how intelligent or educated we may seem.. no matter the bureaucracy's, governments, constitutions and all that other good shit..we're all just a bunch of ANIMALS trying to survive on a whole nother ballgame....we're all just animals.....so sad....Im so saddened by this...the media, film, art should be a tool to enlighten, educate, give hope, instill........so sad...that type of media should be banned...THis is my reaction and I have never even seen the video now imagine if I did see it.. so demented....................

Crazy People On The Train Pt. 2

Every month I run into a crazy person on NYC trains. This was not a pomegranate seed eatin' bum. Oh no! this guy was a Lord of the Rings Smiegel like character who was past due for his exorcism appointment at the local church. He was obviously possessed by something. His voice was raspy and deep and scary just like a demon. He went on preaching about the death in Palestine and continued to repeat, "You cant see them, they can see you, they are inside of you, they are a part of you." (I think he was referring to demons.) In that deep, raspy, demon-like voice as he pointed into the abyss and grew louder and louder with passionate demonic anger. His body stiff, as a board, unwavering by the winding and motions or speed of the train. What else could he be talking about. Everyone else was scared shitless for when he finally decided to leave the train you could notice the obvious relief on people's profiles. Muscles had loosened up, the atmosphere less tense. If you think watchin the Exorcist by yourself all alone in a dark room is scary, this was live and unedited in your face footage!!!

The List of Why's

1. Why cant a female be platonic friends with a guy without him wanting more?
2. Why is a female labeled a slut if she hits it and quits it but men aren't deemed worthy of the same title?
3. Why do people fight for women's rights but when a female shows masculine traits she's labeled a BITCH by men and WOMEN?
4. Why do friendships among females always include jealousy and backstabbing?
5. Why cant I curse all I want without being looked at as vulgar and repulsive?
6. Why are men put off by women who want and like to pay for themselves?
7. Why am I expected to follow rules, be obedient, and docile female?
8. Why as a female am I expected to never show anger?? I'm not a fucking Stepford WIFE!! (This is a big one)
9. Why do bureaucratic institutions always take the credit for decisions and never give the credit to whomever actually came up with ideas!!
10. Why do short men hit on me.. ewww
11. Why do people not expect or accept a funny female as attractive?
12. Why is being funny considered a masculine trait?(another BIG 1)
13. Why do men expect me to laugh @ their corny jokes and when I don't they think theirs something wrong with me?
14. Why do straight men like it when women give them head but would never think of doing it themselves or sucking their own?
15. Why are women who questions things and are deep and thoughtful not attractive to the other sex.
16. Why does the world have to revolve around business and money.
17. Why spend so much $ on scientific research when most of it never gets applied.
There are lots more why's too many very few answers. Always questioning. Always in deep thought.

Developing a Business Mindset

This world revolves around money. So cliche but more and more everyday I am faced with this harsh reality. Everything costs money, time is money. Even water costs money! So where does this all lead, life is a business, just one big game. La vida es un negocio. The better you adapt to the game and think of yourself as being cast in the leading role with everyone else being the extra players the better equipped you will be to win the game! And don't we all want to win. A simple interaction with a customer service agent will easily include loads of offers for things you don't want or need..for what?.. to take your money. Does anyone lately help someone out from a sincere place in their heart. Customer service agents?? yeah right just one more corporate scheme to provide "help" while at the same time shoving offers down your throat. The world revolves around LOGIC. So it is in your LOGICAL best interest to shut business people out or incorporate business qualities into your personality. The thicker yours skin the higher the chances you have of succeeding in life. Even to attract a mate or be highly coveted by the opposite sex it all comes down to your shell: appearances. It's time to begin wearing lustrous top of the line business suits for all to see while concealing the intentions of the sly wolf within. In an attempt to adapt and succeed one must let the cunning wolf inside be your guide. Taking everything that comes your way and anyway who stands in it. Only the most ruthless, cunning, and composed thrive. Survival of the fittest that is what it all comes down to.

Fat people

I've never been mean to fat people and for the most part I can empathize with them due to the fact that I have family members and friends who are fat/overweight. I know its hard, my brother was overweight growing up due to a hormonal imbalance and it used to hurt me so much to see him hurt. For that reason I never make fun of fat people. I know they hurt they way he did. There's not much you can do when its a hormonal imbalance. I'm not fat by any means, never been probably never will be. My metabolism is extremely fast. It used to bother me before because I have always been super skinny. But I have come to appreciate it.

The thing that bothers me is fat people who try to take out their insecurities on you because they are fat and jealous. They are very quick to point out the smallest ounce of fat in an effort to make themselves feel like "Oh you see even this skinny bitch got fat." What the hell is up with that? Do I point out the disgusting fat hangin off your fat face and arms?! Do I point out the fact that you look like your ready to cook me and eat me?! Fat people need to shut up! I hate it when you offer people sympathy and they just spit it back in your face. Considering the fact that so many fat people have a hard time mating because the opposite sex is usually is disgusted by them why would they treat those who are nice to them like shit:?! Something I have always wondered about. Not only with fat people, but with people with low self esteem in general. After hangin out with someone who is physically, and emotionally unhealthy it makes you understand why it is that they are rejected. It makes you wanna reject them too. So disgusting.

Not only fat people, this also goes for people who have serious acne problems, discombobulated bodies, low confidence, yellow teeth, ugly by society's standards, judgemental etc. They put you down to make themselves feel better. They think that acting that way makes them look confident. Acting happy and bubbly, I mean dont get me wrong some of them are really cool but not when its self loath. I see so many fat people puttin themselves down, they think its funny to joke around about being fat but what they dont realize is that there are those who can see right through it. Its a facade, the funny facade. To cover up your hurt. Its not confidence no matter how you wanna make it seem that way, just because people laugh at your jokes doesnt mean they can't see through them. But they will go along with it to give you the ego stroke your lookin for. Dont go that route dont put yourself down to amuse other people. Take off the mask. If you recognize any of these things in yourself its time to stop. Cold turkey. And with this I conclude.

I hate Nosy people

She remarks on your outfits and accessories and asks where you get them? Or inquires about your job or internship? Maybe even seems to be very interested in your personal life or feelings? But can you honestly say you know much about them? Everyone's dealt with nosy people before. It is up to you to decide how you will react to them. We all choose whether consciously or unconsciously our reactions in any given situation. But some nosy people have no cure. It seems like they can't take a hint, so when you are pretty blunt or upfront about not wanting them too close in your life they take it personally. The worst type of nosy person is the nosy person who knows everyone's business but NO ONE knows ANYTHING about theirs. Beware of this type of person they usually come across as being very charismatic, friendly, trustworthy, and outgoing but do not be fooled. I hate these people. They are very careful and even go to great lengths such as lying before disclosing any information about themselves but will happily bask in the layers of your personal life. They will also happily use your personal life against you to back stab you, demean you, or gain a higher social role. Some of them are special enough to even copy some of whatever it is you have. We must be wary of those who inquire but never disclose. People like this MUST be kept at a DISTANCE. I learned that the best way to shutdown a nosy person is to simply reply with, "I don't ask you about your personal life, so please don't ask me about mine," or just make a funny joke along the lines of, "Damn _fill in the blank_ your always so nosy damn!," and watch that nosy motherfucker shutdown and maintain his/her distance!

WARNING: If this nosy person is really persistent just call them out on their shit or ignore them completely. Limit social interaction to the bare minimum eventually they will get the hint and back off. You will never have to deal with this person ever again!! Or you can go this route and punch that nosy bitch in their boob!

Relationship Art

"Without you I am still me"

Relationships are so hard. Finding a relationship that is real and meaningful and worthwhile. Even if your with someone if could fee like you are all alone. There's no difference.

"Dreaming of you dreaming of me"
But when you do find someone that is worthwhile there are so many different special little moments that feel so comfortable and unforgettable its like a lovely dream

Finding the Silver Lining Amongst the Recession

Overall, 2008 has seen its fair share of ups and downs. The U.S. economy has plummeted, the stock market is doing poorly, and if you were tuned into the news yesterday you would have known that Time Warner almost lost some of our most favored channels such as Nickelodeon, PBS, etc. to Viacom never to be seen again. They had to come to an agreement before midnight yesterday. Thankfully they did and millions of Americans will continue to enjoy our favorite childhood channels.

Let's also not forget that across the country many families are not sufficiently able to provide for their loved ones, unemployment rates have skyrocketed. The public demanded change and President elect Obama took stage. The year 2009, seems more promising now that the economy needs to get up and running smoothly again. Everyone is anticipating President Obama's promise for change but, amongst all the ups and downs we must find that silver lining.

There are many promising offers at the moment for travel. Trips to Mexico, The Bahamas, Iceland, The Caribbean, and even Ski resorts are more attractive now than ever. Travel is the perfect escape from a harsh reality bordering on depression. Economists are not promising anything but the road ahead is looking pretty bleak. All over the internet you can find cruises and flights to these areas for good prices. Travel and tourism companies in these areas are working with the masses to offer them good deals. Searching for deals on cruises on Carnival.com I was surprised to see how accommodating the prices are. You can find short 3-5 day cruises for as low as $200 coasting the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico with Carnival Cruises. Many ski resorts are also accommodating their prices for this recession knowing that the cost and hassle of carrying around skis on air flights can be a hassle. It is the perfect time to schedule a trip!

Property prices are at an all time low due to a few screw ups by economists and home buyers over the last few years. More houses and properties were bought than could actually be tended to. Many buyers invested their money in real estate thinking they had struck the jackpot and were wealthier than they actually were. When balances were checked much of the money being used to buy these homes was pretty much nonexistent very similar to the situation that occurred at the beginning of the 20th century. With all this in mind it is the perfect time to buy a home. The best advice is to buy only as much as you can afford. With a good credit score between 720 and 760 you can place the down payment on a home of your liking and pay off your mortgage smoothly.

Check out these links for more information:

Perfect Time to Buy a Home
Perfect Time to Buy the Home of Your Dreams in California
What the 2008 Housing Crisis Means to Home Buyers in 2009

The coming of the New Year 2009 has brought with it a fluffy silver lining from which to reap opportunities! Enjoy!