Background

So this has happened to me more than once. So I thought I’d address it.

People that don’t know me tend to think I’m Black. I usually respond by saying “No, I’m Dominican.” That usually brings about the response “well Dominicans are Black too, where do you guys think you came from?”

I have nothing against Black people, but if you ask me what my ethnicity is I’m going to respond with what I identify the most. That is Dominican. And if you say I’m Black I’m going to correct you and make sure you know I’m Dominican.

To be honest I don’t know much about the Dominican Republic in terms of history. However I do know that before there were Dominicans there were Tainos and Spaniards. That’s as far back as I’m interested in going, and I definitely don’t identify with Tainos or Spaniards so if you ask me what I am….I’ll say Dominican. 

I suppose if I had to pick a race, which my grandmother has had to do [black vs. white latino] I’d pick black. But I’m pretty sure that’s not what you’re asking. You want to know my ethnicity, well then Dominican it is.

Just wanted to clear that up.