Dominican Americans example essay topic

The Dominican Republic is a small island that is 18,816 square miles, located off the coast of Florida. The island is shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The island has a subtropical climate, mountains, rolling hills, and fertile river valleys. Between the early 80's and 90's many Dominicans come to The United States for more opportunities and a better life, but they soon learned that they would face many of the same cultural, racial and ethnic problems. It was nearly impossible for them to get a skilled job opportunity due to poor education and being discriminated against. New York City's fastest growing immigrant groups are Dominicans.

In 1980 the Dominican population in NYC was 125,380, in 1990 it was 332,713, today it is estimated that there are well over 600,000. The only problem with this through the years of their migration to America is that their capital as a whole decreases. The source of these severe economic problems according to Internet site, Latino Link, is from a lack of a proper education and skills, and their unusual young age. 6 out of every 10 Dominicans in the U.S. reside in New York City. Washington Heights, located in upper Manhattan houses the largest Dominican population nationwide. Dominicans make up 7% of NYC, but their children make up 12% of elementary age kids.

On average Dominicans are much younger in comparison to American's age in NYC. The average age for a New Yorker is 36, compared to 24 for someone of Dominican Heritage. This plays a large role in the problem they face when looking for skilled jobs. Most Dominicans work full time here around the age of 16 or 17, no time for a proper education. 55% of the Dominican-American population has not graduated from high school, and only 4% have obtained some type of college degree. Dominican-Americans even have a relatively low education and skill level when compared to that of Dominicans in the Dominican Republic.

Like most other ethnic immigrants Dominican adults need literacy and English language instruction while their children need better schools. As a people striving for identification here in America, Dominican-Americans have had to endure improper racial labeling, as had most people of color in American society. 2/3 of Dominicans are of Afro-European decent and the smaller 1/3 of mainly African decent. The key word in both descriptions of their ethnicity refer back to Africa for its roots. But yet when having to identify with a racial group here in America, because they are a Spanish speaking people society forces them to choose Hispanic or Latin, and deny their African / Black heritage and roots. Physically Dominicans can range in color, from hues possessed by the darker featured African-Americans, to the lighter toned Mexican-Americans.

With such a disparity in range of color and features, America has not only made them deal with their lack of education, skills, and economic prowess, but also with the stigma of separating and dividing them based on their difference of appearance. Only recently here in America, have Dominicans now begun to separate themselves along color lines. Dominicans of more European features and lighter skin tone have had the privilege of the "white advantage" because they can pass for white, whereas their darker featured Dominicans have had to suffer racial injustices typically impressed upon Latinos and African-Americans. Regardless of all the major setbacks and obstacles Dominicans have had to face, they still have had a positive impact on American society. The easiest most recognizable contribution Dominicans have made is in the field of baseball.

Many Dominicans have come to play major roles in American baseball. One such player that stands out is Sammy Sosa of the Chicago cubs, who was running neck and neck in the home run race with Mark McGwire. Also Ozzie Virgil became the first Dominican native to reach the major leagues, joining the Giants in 1956. Since that time, nearly 200 Dominicans have made an impact on the major leagues. In 1983, Juan Mari chal became the first Dominican native to be named to the Hall of Fame. The legacy of Dominican players in the major leagues is very rich, and there are still many making history now.

Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez, 27, signed the most lucrative contract in baseball in 1998, getting $75 million over the next six years. But Dominican contributions are not only found in the sports arena. In New York City and New Jersey there are over 23,000 business owners, 6,000 grocery stores, 500 supermarkets, 1,200 beauty salons, all Dominican owned. Dominicans have also began to show their political power.

Guillermo Linares has become the first Dominican-born elected official in the United States. In 1979 he developed the first Dominican non-profit organization, the Community Association of Progressive Dominicans. He was also elected three times to the school board, where he advocated for construction of schools. In the last five years, 10 of those schools have been built. Also New York State Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat won a narrow victory over John Murtaugh last November, thus becoming the first Dominican-American to be elected as state legislator. His victory was credited with the growing political influence of naturalized Dominican citizens in the area.

Dominicans are taking charge of their communities by running for public office and becoming more involved with American politics to help better Dominican life in this country.