The Price of Sugar

Sugar Cane's Bitter Harvest in the Dominican Republic

New York Times September 28, 2007 By: Steven Holden

Chris Edwards

Dominican Republic
Capital City: Santo Domingo Official Language: Spanish Ethnic Groups: 73% Multiracial, 16% White, 11% Black Political System: Unitary and Democratic Republic President: Leonel Fernandez Population: 9,956,648 (July 2011 est.) GDP (Nominal): US$ 54.912 billion GDP (per capita): US$ 5,855 Religion: 68.9% Roman Catholic, 18.2% Evangelical, 10.6% Nonreligious, 2.3% Other

Retrieved 21 Nov. 2011. http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/harlandj/timelines/haitian_rev.html

History of the Dominican Republic

First settled by the Tano Indians around 600 AD. Spanish arrived in 1492 First shipment of slaves from Spain in 1510. Sugar cane introduced in 1516 Trading port for European merchants Base of operations for Caribbean pirates. Occupied by the United States from 1916 to 1924. 1930-1961, The Trujillo Era. Rafael Trujillo ruled the Dominican Republic under a military dictatorship. Current president, Leonel Fernndez, is in his third term in office. Dominican Republic is considered a healthy, functioning democracy.

Geert-Hofstede Cultural Dimensions

Power Distance
Individualism Masculinity

Uncertainty Avoidance

Long-Term Orientation

Trinidad

47

16

58

55

N/A

Venezuela

81
64

12
14

73
65.5

76
65.5

N/A
N/A

Dominican Republic (est.)

The Price of Sugar: Sugar Canes Bitter Harvest in the Dominican Republic
New York Times article about a documentary directed by Bill Haney and narrated by Paul Newman. The documentary addresses the exploitation of Haitian immigrants in the sugar industry of the Dominican Republic.

Highlights the efforts of Spanish priest Christopher Hartley to bring relief by fighting for their human rights, addressing education issues, and providing medical care.
Film addresses the human rights violations of the Vicini Family; politically powerful family in Dominican

Video

The Price of Sugar Trailer

Discussion Questions
What can be done to alleviate human rights abuses of the sugar industry workers?

How can a monopoly be broken-up on a small island nation?

Should the US subsidize sugar imports from the Dominican Republic? How does one address the Dominican racism of Haitian immigrants?

References
Central Intelligence Agency. (2011, November 20). Dominican Republic. In World Factbook. Retrieved November 21, 2011, from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/dr.html
University of Flordia. (2011, November 20). Chronology of the Haiti in the Age of Revolution. In Chronology of the Haiti in the Age of Revolution. Retrieved November 21, 2011, from http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/harlandj/timelines/haitian_rev.html Wikipedia. (2011, November 20). History of the Dominican Republic. In Dominican Republic. Retrieved November 21, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Republic Holden, S. (2007, September 28). The Price of Sugar: Sugar Cane's Bitter Harvest in the Dominican Republic. The New York Times. Retrieved November 21, 2011, from http://movies.nytimes.com Haney, B. (Director). Newman, P. (Narrator). (2007). The Price of Sugar [Online video]. New York: Uncommon Productions. Retrieved November 21, 2011, from http://www.thepriceofsugar.com/contact.shtml Interview. (2011, November 20). Kelly Edwards