La Republica Dominicana : Quisqueya la Bella by Alan Cambeira

Summary:
The Dominican Republic also recognized as "La Quisqueya" is a beautiful island in the caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean. The Dominican Republic shares its western border with the French country, Haiti on the island of Hispaniola. In addition, the national tree in la Republica Dominicana is mahogany or caoba. Most Dominican homes are saturated with furniture made of mahogany. Furthermore, Santo Domingo's national bird is the Cotica Parrot, and most Dominican teens train these loritos to repeat every word they say for months. In fact, competitions are made in Dominican barrios with these parrots, the goal is to test which bird can recite the most bad words.  Also, Los Dominicanos are huge baseball lovers and players. By the age of 5, Dominican little boys already aspire to be professional baseball players. Most Dominicans believe making it to the major leagues is the only way out of poverty. In fact, more then half of 300 professional Dominican ball players who play for North American leagues, come from San Pedro de Macoris. When there is no money for baseballs and bats, water caps and brooms substitute these equipments. In addition, sugarcane cultivation has been a prominient source of trade in Santo Domingo since 1506. However, many Dominican sugar cultivaters have remained destitute since the prosperous sugar economy made its way particularly to the Dominican elite and foreign investors. The poor who worked these fields, were not able to benefit from the abundance of sugar in their country since they were payed so little money for their work. Eventhough the Dominican Republic is portrayed as a country of ultimate bliss and perfection for tourists, immense poverty and dejection roams through the unpaved streets of the country. Part of this problem is the 4 billion dollar debt Dominican Republic has with the United States. On another note, the first residents of la Republica Dominicana were the Arawak Indians. This group of indigenous people called the island Hayti which means the Land of Mountains referring to the mountain chains in present day Haiti. Then the Tainos arrived in 3000 BC naming the island Quisqueya or Earth Mother. This name La Quisqueya has remained in Dominican culture. In particular, many grocery stores in D.R. as well as families have named their children and properties Quisqueya. Then the renown name La Espanola, was what Christopher Columbus called the island in 1492. In other words, the Dominican Republic has acquired different names throughout its history.
Quote:
"It was in 1833 that Duarte conceived the country's independence under the glorious banner 'Dios, Patria y Libertad, Republica Dominicana' "(Cambeira 28).

Reaction:
As a Dominican myself, when I hear the phrase Dios, Patria, y Libertad, I imminently smile. When my ancestors fought for our independence from Spain, France, and Haiti, they used these words to restore their nationalism and pride. Dios and Patria are very important words to Dominicans; In fact, every Dominican mentions God before they do anything. For example, when a Dominican especially the older ones have anything to accomplish, they say Si Dios Quiere: If God wants to. Then when Patria comes into the picture, every Dominican raises their flag and screams how proud they are of being Dominican. I have never met a group of people with the exception of  Mexicans, who feel so much nationalism and respect for their country. The exact way to make any Dominican really angry is to say something insulting or pejorative towards their people. It pains them very deeply since they feel this ardent love and respect for their country.