The Borders of Dominicanidad: Race, Nation, and Archives of Contradiction

In the Dominican Republic, most of the population see themselves as having Spanish and Indigenous descent despite the majority being mulatos of African and Spanish descent.

“In that context, most of the population see themselves as having Spanish and Indigenous descent, “despite the fact that the majority of Dominicans are mulatos (of African and Spanish descent)” (García Peña, 2016, p. 189).”

García Peña called the condition of Dominicans in the United States 'racexile,' in which they are not seen as Dominican enough by Dominicans in Hispaniola due to distance and perceived Spanish proficiency, while also being denied full belonging in the United States because of their race.

“García Peña (2016) called this condition”

Since the Dominican Republic's foundation, the racial dichotomy with Haiti, due to a supposed majority of white descendants in the former, has worked to separate Dominicans from their neighbors, creating a narrative that has led to continuous physical and epistemic violence against Dominican blacks, rayanos, and Haitian-Dominicans.

“Since the Dominican Republic's foundation, the racial dichotomy with Haiti, due to a supposed majority of white descendants in the former, has worked to separate Dominicans from their neighbors, creating a narrative that”