Dismantling “Otherness”: How Dominico-Haitianas Preserve their Identities

• In Event: Resisting Erasure and Reclaiming Identity in Ayiti: The History and Experiences of the African Diaspora in Haiti and the Dominican Republic

Description for Program

In 2022, the headquarters for “Movimiento de Mujeres Dominico-Haitianas” was broken into by army personnel. A space meant to assist with living conditions and defend the rights of Haitian women residing in the Dominican Republic. The movement highlights the resilience and perseverance of Dominico-Haitianas in preserving their true identity. The Parsley Massacre in 1937 negatively affected people’s definitions of what it means to be “Dominicano.” Building upon Marissa Joseph’s and Madeline Soiney’s work, this paper seeks to showcase and analyze the rich identities and cultures of Dominico-Haitianas. These women have to consistently battle external forces that aim to hide their identity and categorize them into a foreign “otherness.” Spaces that allow Dominico-Haitianas to fully express themselves and explore their identities are severely limited. With constant experiences of discrimination and denied openly safe spaces, Haitian women often feel suppressed. Key points to analyze include linguistic expression, music, dance, food, and the embracement of heritage. This paper will address community, identity building, and feelings of comfort. This research will take an interdisciplinary approach in extracting points from published stories of Dominico-Haitianas. By uplifting their voices and focusing on safe spaces, this research aims to recognize the strong efforts of Haitian women. While forced to be silent and labeled as “other,” they find ways to preserve their identities and express who they are in their own way.

Author

• Medgine Michel, University of Florida