can range in color, from hues possessed by the darker featured African-Americans, to the lighter toned Mexican-Americans. With such a disparity in range of color and features, America has not only made them deal with their lack of education, skills, and economic prowess, but also with the stigma of separating and dividing them based on their difference of appearance (Lopez, p. 12-15). Only recently here in America, have Dominicans now begun to separate themselves along color lines. Dominicans of more European features and lighter skin tone have had the privilege of the “white advantage” because they can pass for white, whereas their darker featured Dominican brothers have had to suffer racial injustices typically impressed upon Latinos and African-Americans. This one difference has caused a gap between Dominicans that needs bridging. Organizations such as Alianza Dominicana, Inc.(Dominican Alliance) and the Community Association of Progressive Dominicans, which are located and work out of Washington Heights, New York, have been working towards conquering this problem. These organizations are in place to help bridge the inter-race relationship gap between Dominicans by working with both sides, to help Dominicans as a whole overcome racial and economic oppression in America (DeAnda, p. 256-260).Another factor contributing to the economic oppression of Dominican-Americans is the gender problem within their community. The majority of Dominican families are headed by single women with no man around to help out financially or emotionally. In 1990 households headed by women were at 41% and then jumped to 49% in 1996. This problem stems from the stigma of immigrating to a new land mixed in with traditional Dominican values. In Dominican culture men are seen as the providers. The problem starts when men move their families to America, and for whatever reason, cannot seem to find stable employment so that they may support their fami...
