“In order to change the world, we need to start small. Create change within your community. From there, if your community changes, your province will change. If your province changes, your city will change. If your city changes, your country will change. If your country changes, your continent will change. If the continent changes, the world will change. So yes I will change the world…I will change it first by changing my community.” These words rung out to me as I sit in a panel with an amazing team of teenagers who wish to help out. Personally, I have always wanted to create change and is the reason why I wish to study political science and run for Congress. This powerful statement rings true to me and I will keep it close to my heart as I create change. In Immigration Day, we learned about the history behind the racism between Haitians and Dominicans, the similarities between different ethnicities, and how history, culture, and politics affect one’s identity. Immigration Day was a day where I noticed the similarities between immigration in the states and in the DR. There is the sense of confusion, loss, and hopelessness in both cases and it takes so long to be granted citizenship. Another crucial part about this day was the fact that racism is taught through history and stories. Jimmy, one of the panelists, said that he identifies as Haitian because he is treated like one but he knows more about the Dominican culture and was born in the Dominican Republic. Henry stated that history factors into the racism. Because of how Haitians treated Dominicans, Dominicans don’t associate with them. Dominican history highlight this part and they teach students that Haitians are horrible. If history were to be taught differently, there would be more unity. Despite the truth, this day gave us the opportunity to reflect and ask ourselves how should history be taught and how we can change racism. Being LDD on a powerful day like this was challenging because I felt the connection and pain that Haitians are going through. It was amazing to hear these stories and I am grateful to be the LDD on such a powerful day.
2024 Trips
- T1A-BAY: Turrialba 1 6-5-2024
- JA1A-BAY: Jarabacoa 1 6-6-2024
- TA1A-BAY
(formerly RB1A): Las Tablas 1 6-7-2024 - JD1A-CHI
(formerly RB2A): Juan Dolio 1 6-10-2024 - T2A-BAY: Turrialba 2 6-10-2024
- JA2A-BAY: Jarabacoa 2 6-12-2024
- T3A-CHI: Turrialba 3 6-13-2024
- C1A-LA: Constanza 1 6-17-2024
- CH1A-BAY: Chitre 1 6-17-2024
- SP1A-BAY (formerly RB3A): San Pedro 1 6-18-2024
- TA2A-CHI
(formerly CH2A): Las Tablas 2 6-18-2024 - C2A-BAY: Constanza 2 6-20-2024
- T1B-WM: Turrialba 1 6-24-2024
- JA1B-CHI: Jarabacoa 1 6-24-2024
- TA1B-BAY
(formerly RB1B): Las Tablas 1 6-24-2024 - JD1B-NYC
(formerly RB2B): Juan Dolio 1 6-28-2024 - T2B-BAY: Turrialba 2 6-28-2024
- T3B-LA: Turrialba 3 7-1-2024
- JA2B-BAY: Jarabacoa 2 7-1-2024
- C1B-NYC: Constanza 1 7-5-2024
- CH1B-BAY: Chitre 1 7-5-2024
- H1B-NYC (formerly RB3B): Heredia 1 7-8-2024
- TA2B-LA (formerly CH2B): Las Tablas 2 7-8-2024
- C2B-WM: Constanza 2 7-9-2024
- T1C-NYC: Turrialba 1 7-12-2024
- JA1C-BAY: Jarabacoa 1 7-12-2024
- TA1C-CHI (formerly RB1C): Las Tablas 1 7-12-2024
- JD1C-LA (formerly RB2C): Juan Dolio 1 7-16-2024
- T2C-CHI: Turrialba 2 7-17-2024
- T3C-BAY: Turrialba 3 7-19-2024
- JA2C-NYC: Jarabacoa 2 7-19-2024
- C1C-NYC: Constanza 1 7-23-2024
- CH1C-WM: Chitre 1 7-23-2024
- SP1C-BAY (formerly RB3C): San Pedro 1 7-26-2024
- TA2C-NYC (formerly CH2C): Las Tablas 2 7-26-2024
- C2C-CHI: Constanza 2 7-26-2024
- T1D-BAY: Turrialba 1 7-30-2024
- JA1D-CHI: Jarabacoa 1 7-31-2024
- TA1D-NYC
(formerly RB1D): Las Tablas 1 8-1-2024 - JD1D-WM
(formerly RB2D): Juan Dolio 1 8-2-2024 - T2D-NYC (GK): Turrialba 2 8-6-2024
- JA2D-WM: Jarabacoa 2 8-7-2024
- T3D-NYC: Turrialba 3 8-8-2024
Previous Trips
- 2023 Trips
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- 2019 Trips
1146 posts - 2018 Trips
772 posts - 2017 Trips
880 posts - 2016 Trips
940 posts - 2015 Trips
977 posts - 2014 Trips
625 posts - 2013 Trips
578 posts