sa: carne de la marBuscando visa: la razn de serBuscando visa: para no volverGetting a visa: my necessityGetting a visa: what a fury it puts me inGetting a visa: a real struggleGetting a visa: what more can I do?Getting a visa: to shipwreckGetting a visa: victimized by the seaGetting a visa: the purpose of lifeGetting a visa: to never returnThe words above are the lyrics to a merengue by Juan Luis Guerra that directly deal with the futility of the American Dream. They express the frustration Dominicans have as they apply for American visas, and specifically the frustrations of those who find the American dream outside of their reach. Those individuals are so desperate to seek a better life for themselves that they consider illegal methods of immigration once they are denied visas. As popular Dominican artist of world renown, Juan Luis Guerra helps to instill pride in fellow Dominicans and raises a strong voice against immigration to the United States. He is an excellent of example of a Dominican who made it without selling out or moving to America. His record label comes from a little known Dominican company, Karen Records. Residing in Santo Domingo, he writes and sings merengues of the highest quality, a point acknowledged last year by his receipt of the very first Latin Grammy ever awarded.In the summer of 2000, Juan Luis Guerra’s “El nigara en bicicleta” concert tour was definitely taken advantage of by the ruling Dominican elites who understand the political power of merengue. Besides mayor Johnny Ventura, then president-elect Hiplito Meja and vice president-elect Milagros Ortiz Bosch were in attendance at the Santo Domingo show. Though the concert was scheduled to start at 8:00 PM, a staged surprise entrance of the two future leaders and greeting ceremony lasted until 9:00 PM. The official presidential transition was to take place days later in the Casa Rosada, but anyone who was at the Guerra concert could have m...
