The White Dominicanyork
It was a warm day at Ellis Island. “America just won World War II” was all everyone talked about. Bernardo Meriño heard “the Americans” were looking for hard-working, talented people who could contribute to the post-war boom and he felt an inexplicable urge to head towards New York City immediately.
His dad knew current dominican president, el Generalissimo Trujillo from his early days at the telegrafo and were casual Acquaintances, so he headed to the capital city of Santo Domingo de Guzman, Ciudad Trujillo back in the day, to express his favorable view of his son travelling to New York “to learn from the Americans”.
El Coronel Johnny Abbes already knew that meeting was going to take place and granted the permiso de salida immediately, celebrating their fervor trujillista. President Trujillo cracked a laugh when he learned Don Hernando’s son was already in New York and celebrating El Jefe’s wisdom as per usual. “Si esa gente supiera que yo ni me voy a enterar”, was all el Jefe musited from his insides with his prototypical half-smile.
A few years later, circa 1965, Bernardo Meriño was a successful local businessman back in his native country, who applied everything he learned regarding trade, commerce and industriousness, as well as casual acquaintances who celebrated his discipline and tee-totaling supporting every move.
Dr. Joaquin Balaguer was a favorite for the upcoming elections in the Dominican Republic. Don Bernardo had a good friend from the U.S. Marines he knew from his days in New York who had been deployed during those times of social unrest to aid in the stabilization of the country. He asked Don Bernardo to please help Dr. Balaguer.
Several decades ago, Don Hernando wanted to make sure his son one day succeeded in the business world, as per family tradition, in accordance with their country’s best values. When Don Bernardo passed away, one of his accolades, petitioned by a contemporary whose dad knew Don Hernando, mentioned him as an influential local market tycoon. A Canadian influencer one day casually ran into his granddaughter at a local supermarket. He couldn’t help but ask his companion from the Bronx: “How can a Dominican that’s not from The Heights have so much concrete jungle on her?”. The guy from el Bronx just laughed and said “Her grandfather was a white dominicanyork”.
THE END.
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