Why do Dominicans believe that those who come from the U.S. have it all and live a perfect life? The thing is Dominicans still believe in the “American Dream.” In D.R, more than one-fourth of the workforce is unemployed.  With basic services like electricity, water, and public transportation becoming so unreliable, living in the U.S is a luxurious life. Let’s not even start on the violence and corruption that lives in this country. To them, los gringos have it all. Although we may not have the same problems as them, the truth is most of us are miserable. Even with all of the economical problems and the violence, Dominicans are still full of life. A Dominican can be unemployed, living in un campo¹, and you’ll still see them posted up outside a bodega² with a Presidente³ saying, “Hoy se bebé coño.⁴” with a big ass smile on their face. In the U.S, depression is a big thing. Yeah, they might be jealous of our economical stature but I’m jealous of the cultural difference. Over there, everyone knows each other. While here in the U.S, half of us don’t even know our neighbors. Bottom line is, us gringos go through it too mi gente.⁵ We don’t have it all and we don’t live a perfect life either. It’s hard out here too.

1.Countryside. 2. a convince store; corner- store. 3. Dominican beer. 4. A phrase meaning, “We’re drinking today.” 5. “My people.”