On February 27, the Dominican Republic and its children residing abroad, celebrated 170 years of independence after the nation was under Haitian rule for 22 years and the leaders of the Republic declared the country free and independent of all foreign power.
Today, following the Constitutional Court ruling that establishes criteria for nationality affecting mainly descendants of Haitians living in the Dominican Republic, has created a worldwide controversy that we are convinced and confident that it will only be resolved by the internal management of its nationals and not by reviews and recommendations received by countries and international organizations.
After departing somewhat from our usual topic, Lawrence, now we want to congratulate the Dominican Diaspora in general and in particular to those who have made their home in Lawrence.
To today’s Dominicans, we not only congratulate them for the independence of their country, but for their independent and entrepreneurial spirit that has led them to excel in the arts, sports, especially baseball, banking, trade and politics, very especially in the latter two, in the local environment.
In Lawrence, it is very difficult to enter a commercial establishment, and not finding a Dominican at the front desk. As for politics, we are confident without fear for the short time they have been in this country, they has achieved what has taken twice as much to other ethnic groups or perhaps never tried. They have been able to place their best in leadership positions, call them board members or elected positions such as city councilors, state representatives and mayors.
To yesterday’s Dominicans, the only thing left from us as Cubans is to express our eternal gratitude for having given us this great titan, General Maximo Gomez, who taught our Mambises to wield the machete and charge against the well-armed Spanish troops in our Independence War to dislodge them from Cuban territory.
Congratulations to all our Dominican friends hoping they follow Fernando Villalona’s song, Never Forget your Roots!