Have I ever mentioned how RIDUNCULOUS I think this whole "beef" DR has with Haiti is? I'm sure I have, but in case you missed it, I think it's RIDUNCULOUS.
I really saw just how DUMB the animosity with the two were when, the summer before my freshman year of college, I got a job in Elizabeth at a family-owned used furniture store. The owners were Haitian. Papi was livid.
He kept asking me if the owner tried anything fresh with me, or if they offered me anything strange to eat or drink, just silliness like that. Papi really did not want me to work there, but what could I do? I needed the money and no one else was hiring in that one-horse town!
Since then this something has been brewing in me, this desire to squash all the drama on that island. The hateration and scapegoating has GOT TO stop, I'm not playing! Enough is enough. It's a lofty goal but I'm going ahead with it and no one can stop me.
But... baby steps... I can't just stroll up into both countries and demand peace. I realized that it might help to attack the little things first, in small bunches, and eventually jump out from behind the bushes with a kamikaze maneuver the likes of which no one has ever seen, and then help unite the countries on the sly. They'll never know what hit 'em! HA!
Fast forward to today (or rather last month) when I was introduced to this awesome fledgling organization, Global Potential. Their mission- "to create positive socio-economic change for underserved youth and their communities in low-income urban neighborhoods, and for marginalized rural communities in the Dominican Republic."
Not a hand out but a hand up, as the saying goes, for both the Dominican youth and the group going there to help. A mutually beneficial arrangement geared at empowerment. What isn't there to love about that? How much easier will it be to mend the fences between Haiti and the Dominican Republic once the younger generation have been infused with the tools and opportunities to enable them to succeed in life? My plan is PURE GENIUS!
After visiting their site and reading up on what they're working towards I was like SIGN ME UP! "Whatever I can help with, let me know."
They are currently in DR, Batey #8, and reports from the road sound good so far. You can read their blog here. The report from Keisha... when she mentions that the kids have no shoes, man, right away I was like, "fuck the BMW..." It's a NICE car, I loved it, I'm over it. Because kids in DR have no shoes and that bothers me.
What Global Potential needs right this minute, right at this millisecond, is more exposure. More people to know about them and their mission which can then, in turn, generate more support, especially financial support.
So here I am, hoping that among my 20 loyal readers, some, if not all, will feel compelled to spread the word, maybe even offer up their skills and volunteer. They are based in New York but I'm certain they wouldn't turn down out-of-town help.
Maybe you know someone who could help, or have connections somewhere that could benefit the group. Not saying you have to, but if you do, that'd be super cool of you, and you'd be my best friend forever and ever! How's that for incentive?
Seriously, though, take a minute to visit Global Potential's website and really truly read over the available literature. Then let me know if you're down for the cause; although she'd like to fancy herself Super Woman, even The Jaded NYer cannot take on Haiti and DR all by herself.
Just imagine all the good we could do...
*smooches...loving this new sense of purpose*
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lookit me, all philanthropic and shit... who'd a thunk it?
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13 comments:
u know im with u about squashing the nonsense
hmmm sounds like something i could get into
My opinion is this - unless you plan on moving to DR, there isn't anything you can do here. You can't make change in another country sitting in your Brooklyn apartment. That's why those Global Potential people are there.
@dejanae- check them out; you'll be glad you did
@irene- this group is based in New York, hence why I'm able to get involved. They help kids on both ends, DR AND NYC, so until I can move out there I'll be here at "base camp" assisting in whatever I can.
Remember: baby steps... I gotta start somewhere
I returned from DR two weeks ago. The people there are real friendly. Not that I was expecting anything otherwise. Something I noticed, the Haitians that I spoke with weren't proud to be called Haitian. I didn't quite get it. They claimed to be Dominican but after conversing for a few days they admitted they were Haitian and that they don't like to admit it because they receive a harder time in DR.
But all I could think was... That is like Queens and Brooklyn having beef. The border is right there and people are crossing it for opportunity every day. Why not learn from each other?
But who am I? Some ignorant Yank living in NYC.
its a lot if nonsense mostly fueled by ignorance.
its a long story of history as well.
in order to change that mentality u have to change the way folk think
interestingly enough, i am working on a research paper about Dominicans and their perception or race
@urban thought- I'm sure it wasn't that they weren't proud to be Haitian but rather afraid to say it lest they be discriminated against. I've seen it firsthand.
and don't worry, I'm a Yank, too, for the simple fact that I was born here... I'm still considered a "gringa" or more specifically, a "Dominican-York" lol
@judy- m'ija, you know I know all about that mess! Lucky for me I was born and raised in NYC, and that for the most part I had a diverse group of people around me.
when your paper is done I'd love to read it, if you don't mind. That's sounds right up my alley!
see this is why you needed to leave your hair color alone cause being a RED head has you talking crazy! you better not get hurt while trying to reinstate the peace! lol
You're a revolutionary, Santana! LOL
Seriously, I like what you're trying to do. It starts with one person.
LMAO @ one horse town
I love that you feel this way about the divide that exists in these neighboring countries. My BFF is Haitian (but one of the wealthy ones that sit up in the mountains looking down on her fellow country men, thats another story) and her views on DR are just disturbing.
No shoes, oh I can't take that babies with no shoes. I will spend sometime tonight looking at the site and see where I can get in and fit in. Whoo between working with the Ethiopian school I am trying to raise $ for and DR I'm gonna be busy.
@sexxy luv- LOL! don't worry; my peeps over there is the law. well, not THE law but in law enforcement. I'll be okay.
but you're right- it WAS the hair color talking... I told y'all red makes me bolder :)
@12kyle- LMAO @ revolutioanry... of all the things I thought I'd be, can't say that was one of them. but it doesn't sound half bad...
@the f$%k it list- girl you will be busy but fulfilled. and look at the great example you are for your baby!
thanks for taking the time :)
Hey you...I wanted to stop by..I've been absent for a min..I'm sleepy now though so I'll be back..
I had no idea (re-occuring theme from reading your posts) DR and Haiti had so much beef? I assume there would be some types of small miniscule beefs such as 'MY PLANTAINS TASTE BETTER THAN YOURS, AND THEIR LIKE IT'S BETTER THAN YOURS, DAMN RIGHT ITS BETTER THAN YOURS' you know...stupid stuff. I didn't know it was that serious. I just asked my boy and he told me that they use to tease him in elementary school by calling him Dominican and fake Haitian because Haiti use to be called Santo Domingo or some hot mess like that. Identity issues anyone? I'll research it when I find some time. Thanks for the welcome! I'll check out Global Potential too.
OK i'm done now lol
@foia- welcome back ;)
@cruz- it's a straight mess, man, consider yourself lucky to not be a part of it!
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