Patriotism and the Racial Project: The Racialized Politics of Haitian Migration in the Dominican Republic

• 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

Conflicts between Dominican and Haitian governmental entities and individuals illustrate how historical and cultural tensions inform modern racialized practices. This project analyzes discrimination against Haitian migrants in the Dominican Republic as a racial project, where race structures power dynamics. The Dominican Republic enforces dominicanidad—a national identity rooted in patriotism and sovereignty—by securitizing undocumented Haitian migrants, framing them as invaders to justify racialized hierarchies. However, this framework relies on the economic exploitation of Haitian labor, particularly in agriculture and construction, exposing a contradiction: Haitians are deemed threats yet indispensable for cheap labor. Denied rights and protections, these migrants endure systemic capitalist exploitation that erases their dignity. Criticism of this dynamic is often dismissed as anti-Dominican, and thus dissenting voices are deemed unpatriotic. This narrative of self-preservation sustains racialized exclusion and historical antagonism while erasing alternative perspectives. The roots of these tensions trace back to colonial divisions of Hispaniola, fostering distinct racial and cultural identities. The Haitian occupation (1822–1844) intensified nationalist rhetoric framing Haitians as perpetual invaders. Under Rafael Trujillo’s regime, anti-Haitian policies institutionalized racialized exclusion. Today, this historical narrative persists, shaping attitudes and policies that portray Haitians as threats even as the Dominican economy depends on their labor. Supplemented by original footage from field work research, including interviews, the study highlights the lived experiences of Haitian migrants and the cultural narratives shaping anti-Haitian sentiment. By integrating theory with evidence, the project explores the intersection of race, culture, and economics that sustains the Dominican-Haitian conflict.

Author

• Diana Rodriguez, University of Florida