Tania Baez, photo above, is the host of a very popular Sunday night show called Hola Gente. She is a beautiful, highly intelligent, and stylish woman. Her show has the latest fashion trends, interviews with local, as well as international celebrities. After wrapping up filming of this week's show she and her crew headed out for a little celebration. They ended up at a popular karaoke bar called Cantabar. The problem came when one of her employees was barred from entering. Not because of color, but because he had tatoos and piercings (he also seems to be openly gay). There seems to have been some drama inside the bar, as well.
Ms. Baez then proceeded to tell her her fans about what happened on Facebook. What is significant about this is that usually someone of her stature in the Dominican community would not speak about something like this. She has, and for that I commend her. The other thing that is interesting is the reaction. There is a significant part of the populace who believe they were right to not allow him entry. The thinking is that this is a place they want to keep free of "those kind of people."
Was it actually discrimination? I guess it is in the eye of the beholder.
Ms. Baez then proceeded to tell her her fans about what happened on Facebook. What is significant about this is that usually someone of her stature in the Dominican community would not speak about something like this. She has, and for that I commend her. The other thing that is interesting is the reaction. There is a significant part of the populace who believe they were right to not allow him entry. The thinking is that this is a place they want to keep free of "those kind of people."
Was it actually discrimination? I guess it is in the eye of the beholder.
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8 comments:
Filth is filth irrespective of whether your are looking at it through your own eyes or through a pair of dark glasses. Discrimination is the same. it isn't defined by the perspective of the observer. It doesn't matter if one is the victim, the perpetrator or a disinterested observer. A discriminatory act is a discriminatory act in and of itself.
Eddie...you got ahead of me. We're on the same page.
You say this guy is tatooed, and is apparently gay, and that they want to keep free of 'those kind of people'? One plus one equals three in this case and there can be no question that this action was discriminatory. Is the DR becomming more reactionary and less tolerant?
In the metropolitan zone of Santo Domingo where is located that Bar in Lincoln Avenue have the same way to let access people or not.Dont forget in that area live rich and middle class .If u are woman alone, if u are Gay open or Black they always try to apart u. But if u are white ( here in DR a white people is someone have the hair like europeans and argentinos) they think u have money and u can acess.. Thats the reason i perfer the Clubs in the oriental zone oF santo domingo..The guys are hotter, the drinks cheaper and the music is the tropical/hiphop/reggeton..SO MUCH BETTER...
Antonello, I think you are raising some very valid points - which too often they are not willing to talk about in DR.
Brien
I've been living in the Dominican Republic for 1 year and I was very surprised to see how open minded Dominicans are or least appear to be, recently I've visited a very tiny rural neighborhood off Santiago to find a well accepted travesty in this community and everyone treated her with respect, I have tattoos and never encountered any problem in high end places but on the other hand I've been question of my homosexuality at some gay bars....reverse discrimination???
What is a travesty?
That's what they are called in some Spanish speaking countries. Sounds horrible doesn't?
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