Antihaitianismo

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Antihaitianismo (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈanti.aitjanˈismo], French: haitienisme, English: anti-Haitianism) is a Spanish word meaning prejudice against, hatred of, or discrimination against Haitians and their language, culture, and race.[1][2]

History

Origins: 16th century through 19th century

Human Rights Watch has stated in their reports that the differences between Haitians and Dominicans can be based on colonial times from linguistic, cultural, and racial differences. For instance, the Dominican Republic was governed by the Spanish, and thus acquired part of their culture from the Spanish, mixed with African and Native American. Haiti, on the other hand, was governed by the French, and its culture is a mixture of French, African and Native American. The majority of Haiti's population is descended almost entirely from African slaves, while Dominicans possess a multiracial mix of Spanish, African and to a lesser extent, Native American ancestry. It is evident that historical background is related between the two countries, however, there are major cultural divisions.

Antihaitianismocan be traced back to a policy of racial segregation instituted by the Spaniards in the Captaincy General of Santo Domingo (present-day Dominican Republic).[3] Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the island was split into absolutist chiefdoms, three where modern-day Santo Domingo now exists, and two where modern-day Haiti now exists (albeit also including some territory which is current part of Santo Domingo). Carib people from islands further south were often at war with the Taíno people. Columbus reached the island in 1492 (slaves imported from Africa arrived from 1503 onwardsmany natives were also soon enslaved), and within a few decades the Spanish controlled most of the island. During the 17th century, however, the French also began maneuvering for control, and in 1697 acquired the western portion (now part of Haitiwhereas the Spanish portion encompassed the modern Dominican Republic). During the 1790s and early 19th century, the French and Spanish battled back and forth across the island; by 1809 the Haitian Revolution had resulted in the overthrow of both French and Spanish control. The Spanish briefly retook the eastern portion that same year, but in 1821 lost control again in another rebellion. Shortly afterwards, Haitian forces again briefly controlled the entire island, from 1822 to 1844. In 1844 the secret revolutionary movement called "La Trinitaria" took place and the Dominican Republic declared its independence defeating the Haitian forces. After several tumultuous decades, the Spanish briefly acquired nominal control of the Dominican Republic in the 1860s, setting off another war. By the late 19th century, over three hundred years of European control was ended; the modern history of west Hispaniola (Haiti) and east Hispaniola (Dominican Republic) had begun.

Under Trujillo: 1930s and 1940s

Antihaitianismo was strongly institutionalized during the regime of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo. Border disputes under Trujillo culminated in the order of a military intervention and to massacre Haitians accused of practicing vodou or witchery, practices that were against the religious beliefs of the time. Claims range "from several hundred to 26,000"[4] or even "recorded as having a death toll reaching 30,000"[5] in October 1937, an event subsequently named the Parsley Massacre. During later diplomacy, Trujillo agreed to pay hundreds of thousands in reparations,[4] but somewhat less was actually delivered. Due to corrupt Haitian bureaucrats, exceedingly little[6] reached the families.

Dominican intellectuals Manuel Arturo Peña Batlle, Joaquín Balaguer, Manuel de Jesús Troncoso de la Concha, among others, led the campaign.[7][8]

Present day: 1990s

Trujillo's policies served to perpetuate antihaitianismo within the Dominican Republic.[4] In the 1996 Dominican presidential election, Joaquín Balaguer (historical leader of the populist Right and former right-hand of dictator Trujillo) united in a "National Patriotic Front" with PLD candidate Leonel Fernández in order to prevent Peña Gómez from becoming President.[9][10]

See also

References

  1. Liberato, Ana S. Q. (2013). "Joaquín Balaguer, Memory, and Diaspora: The Lasting Political Legacies of and Diaspora". p. 63. ISBN 9780739176467. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  2. Nelson ,William Javier (1988). "Dominican Creole Emigration: 1791-1861, Issue 32". pp. 1–8. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  3. Sagás, Ernesto. "A Case of Mistaken Identity: Antihaitianismo in Dominican Culture". Webster University. Archived from the original on 2007-10-08. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
  4. 1 2 3 Sagás, Ernesto (1994-10-14). "An apparent contradiction? Popular perceptions of Haiti and the foreign policy of the Dominican Republic". Sixth Annual Conference of the Haitian Studies Association. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
  5. Cambeira, Alan. Quisqueya la bella (October 1996 ed.). M.E. Sharpe. p. 182. ISBN 1-56324-936-7. 286 pages total.
  6. Bell, Madison Smartt (July 17, 2008). "A Hidden Haitian World". 55 (12). New York Review of Books: 41.
  7. "Haiti: Antihaitianismo in Dominican Culture". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  8. "La agresión contra Lescot". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  9. Rohter, Larry (1996-07-01). "Dominican Republic Holds Runoff, Capping Fierce Race". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
  10. James Ferguson, Two Caudillos

External links

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