“It is not the spot, it is the situation”-Lucia
While on a field trip to a sugar cane plantation, we were given a tour and spoken to by the owner: Carlos. He spoke of the incredible amounts of energy and time the Haitian workers would put in to get paid. Sometimes working 12 hours straight and doing what most Americans couldn’t even think of. The Haitians cut the sugar cane and allow the mill to produce hundreds, even thousands of cane.
breezy
“Are the Haitians treated well by other companies?”
Carlos had already stated that his company treated the Haitians with respect. They even provided: good wages, a place to lay their heads at the end of the day and food, something we glimpsers sometimes take for granted. Unfortunately, he told us that some Dominicans treat Haitians as second class citizens. Sugar cutters are seen as slaves in some parts. Socially Unjust.
Why this stood out to me?
In America, we always hear about social justice violations against Latinos and Hispanics, so for some odd reason I thought things would be more… equal here. I expected the oppressed people to understand the oppressed, but instead the situation is flipped. This is my first time hearing about something like this, so I don’t want to make Dominicans seem like horrible people. I’m sure as we learn more things will either clear up or a solution can be found.
P.S Food is great. Glimpsers are getting along and Mama Bear and Sister Bear(Robertson and Ricardo) are taking good care of us.