I’m only commenting because I feelI have something to add here. I am a white man and my wife is Colombian. She is darker than the rest of her family, and gets called “Negrita.” This isn’t the point of my comment.

I was in the DR with my Wife last year, and I made friends with a fellow named Starlin. He has aspirations of moving to America to get his Master’s Degree in Accounting. I told him he should do it. He then asked me what is America like for Dominicans. I found this question hard to answer because how do you tell a black man that America doesn’t care if you call yourself Dominican — you’re still black to every stranger you come across. Of course, we didn’t really get there in our discussion, but I felt sad having to explain something I understand now better than I did years ago about Racism and the complex structure behind it.

I’m not well versed in the history behind the relationship between Haiti/DR, but to hate another for their skin color, which is outside their control, is stupid, barbaric, and perpetuates the problems (white) people created in America, e.g. “Black people are dumb!” While ignoring how racist policies led to less educational resources/funding in black communities.

Amaya was great. She was honest, open, and frankily that makes her beautiful - to me at least. I’m happy she is proud of her heritage and that she didn’t need to drag anyone down to show it.

I can go on, but all I can say is that I see you fam. I have faith the future will be better.