Season 3: Episode 2
Title: They Told Me It Was Important to "Improve The Race"
In this episode, UAlbany student Bianca discusses the many hardships her family has endured, and specifically during the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo (1930-1961). She focuses on her brave grandfather and how he stood up for what was right regardless of the repercussions. Bianca also speaks about issues of discrimination and self-identity in the Dominican Republic. This is a profound discussion that addresses themes of liberty, life, and the pursuit of happiness.
:00 Introduction
:17 Bianca’s introduction
:48 My grandfather was arrested
02:49 The Trujillo dictatorship
02:57 Issues that led to his arrest
04:17 Historical timeline of both dictatorships
05:35 Spirit of rebellion
08:39 Racial tension in the Dominican Republic
09:06 “Quiero mejorar la raza”/ I want to better the race
10:21 What Trujillo destroyed and the colorism he created
10:59 Haitian hate fueled by the church
12:24 A push towards accepting ones blackness
15:10 Bilingualism in the island
16:37 “La masacre del perejil” / Parsley massacre
18:21 Bianca’s final thoughts
Contributors:
Biancan Zazzarini-León (Storyteller), Yesenia Melo (Host), Delvi Paez (Host), Caitlin Fanning (Editor), Rosmery Reyes (Marketing), Quialmeiry Carrasco Puntier (Marketing), Carmen Serrano (Editor/Executive Producer). UAlbany Student Stories, Season 3, Episode 2 [podcast]. Music from El Pañuelo de Pepa by Javier Colina and Pepe Rivero. José Cruz, Executive Producer.
Funding provided by the UAlbany Faculty Research Awards Program (FRAP).
Special thanks to Ryan C. Clow, Digital Scholarship Center Training Specialist, for allowing us to use the equipment and recording studio.
Email Carmen Serrano: cserrano4@albany.edu or the Podcast team: GRP-uastudentstories@albany.edu
Interested in supporting future podcast programming? Please donate to LLC and specify “UAlbany Student Stories.” Click on the following link:
---
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ualbanypodcastteam/message
