Looking at the Harsher Side of the Society (Day 2)

Today was filled with a number of lows. My group and I visited the border of the DR and Haiti. Although I was under the impression that Haiti doesn’t have the greatest standard for living, I wasn’t prepared to actually see any of it. That’s not to say that the country is such a run-down place to live in, I’m only looking at a small portion of the country after-all, but seeing small children begging for food and money was very difficult. Not knowing what to do and having decided to literally turn my back on them, I was frustrated; angry at myself that I was ignoring them.

The Dominican Border

Standing at the border, looking out on the country of Haiti and its difficult living conditions, I see people. People struggling, but trying to get by with whatever they have on them. I know however that not everyone thinks this way. Some people see in different shades of color; elite and poor, refined and filthy, worthy and unworthy. It’s amazing, the stark difference in the Dominican side of the border and along the Haitian side. That and heartbreaking!

The Haitian Side of the Border

But as bad as I felt, I looked at some of the people there who were washing their clothes in the river that served as the border. There was a small family, a little girl, brother, and mother, if memory serves me right. The little girl was splashing her feet in the water and playing around a little, like all kids do. And seeing everyone down below go about their business like it was any other day made me realize something. All the people down in the river aren’t that different from any other people you’ll find. They have their own possessions, their own families, their own perspective of life.

It’s amazing how different and yet so similar the country is because of the history behind the issue.  There was the issue of slavery in the US, Haiti, and Dominican Republic. And as shameful as that was, there was never a massacre of innocent life.

(Read about the origins behind the racial issues on the island Hispaniola in the article Dominican Republic Deportations and the Global Economy).

        The 1937 Haitian massacre was a despicable period in mankind’s history, a disgrace in the name of humanity! The fact that men and women were fatally targeted for the color of their skin, and their failure to pass an idiotic linguistic test, is horrific enough. The tactics and manipulation used to accomplish this is even worse. Trujillo was a very tactical military dictator, I’ll give him that; a little too tactical though. His strategy of using machetes and farmers to disguise the cause of the Haitian murders is too conniving for any normal, caring human being to contrive. He sounds more like a shark who’s tasted blood in his waters, ready to attack whatever is near him, but even a shark may be warmer blooded than Trujillo.

Looking back on this day today, relaxing on my couch with my laptop, watching TV, and responding to social media (average 1st world country stuff), I know there’s more going on in the world. Not because I heard it from the social media I respond to, or the TV I watch. I know because I’ve seen a little of the struggle in person. I’ve seen families washing their clothes in rivers as merchants down the river cross the border to make as much as they can to survive. Heard the sound of little boys begging. But not all I saw was struggle.

(Two Above) Murals Around the courtyard

Before visiting the border we spoke to the Priest of a local Church who worked to help those struggling. He told us about his work and invited us to visit the shelter for boys he’s helped create. Most of the class stayed behind, but a few of us chose to go, and I’m glad we did! The shelter was in a poorer community, but a community no less! The boys I met were of different ages, maybe ranging from 6 to 13, and were welcoming and seemed happy and healthy. Although they were away from their homes and their families, these young boys were taken care of. There were beds and blankets, food and a small learning center with computers and desks. There was even a TV! And also a courtyard for playing sports. 

In an area nearby where so many are struggling, these boys were taken care of. In a society where hundreds are forgotten because of the color of their skin, these kids are remembered. 
All I can really say about that is: faith in humanity - restored!

Another of the Courtyard Murals