Yes, that is awful and ridiculous. The DR needs to let the past go, it's just getting to the point where things are getting counterproductive.
Haiti and the Dominican Republic have an awful history with each other. On another note, part of the reasons why Haitians are mistreated in America (besides the racial component) is b/c they are stereotyped as being trashy and ill-mannered.
But regardless, it is still wrong for the DR to deny citizens whom were born in the country citizenship. This is also bad business for the Dominican Republic. This will scare away investors since it makes it clear that the governance of this country lacks competency. Likely what we will see unfold in the coming months is lots of civil unrest and this will lead to even more problems. Poor judgement.
For those not in the know:
There are only 535,000 Haitians, out of 42 MILLION black people in the U.S. Most people, white or black, outside large urban areas have never even MET a Haitian.
http://migrationinformation.org/USfocus/display.cfm?id=770
Haitians are NOT "stereotyped" as being "trashy and ill-mannered" by Americans, neither black NOR white!
What does meeting a Haitian have to do with believing they are stereotyped by Americans?
Are you saying one can't know of a stereotype, unless they have actually met the stereotype-ee?
Destee
When I turn on the TV and see a documentary on the Dominican Republic and a man blacker (skinned) than me is asked, "What does a Haitian look like?" responds: Oh, they're really dark, and have big, round eyes and white around the lips...." I would feel remiss accepting anything that person says about black people OR race to be legitimate.
When I see South Africa where black people were divided and conquered into black and colored, I would be remiss to accept their opinion of race over my own.
When I look all around the world and see people that everyone else considers to be black, but they think they're white - like Dominicians - no way will I accept their opinion of race over my own.
Dr. Bobby Wright wrote "The psychopathic racial personality," in which he spoke of blacks trying desperately to escape their African heritage. It is from that position that I adjudicate people who look like me to be black like me.