Skip to Main Content

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice

A guide to highlight the resources at NECC on diversity, inclusion, equity, social justice, race, diverse functionality, gender, multiculturalism, LGBTTQI+, and anti-oppression..

Online Resources | Recursos En Línea

About Dominica Heritage Month | Sobre el Mes de la Herencia Dominicana

Dominican Republic flag with code of arms that reads " God, Country, and Liberty" in Spanish.The Dominican Heritage Month is celebrated annually from January 21, with the Feast of Nuestra Señora de Altagracia, until February 27. The last day of Dominican Heritage Month marks the commemoration of the Dominican Republic's independence. The Dominican Heritage Month started in New York and has been celebrated since 2016.


El mes de la herencia dominicana se celebra anualmente durante 21 de enero hasta el 27 de febrero. El inicio del mes comienza con la Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Altagracia y concluye con la conmemoración de la Independencia de República Dominicana. El mes de la herencia dominnicana comenzó a celebrarse en Nueva York en 2016.

NECC Library Catalog

Find books, e-books and more by searching the NECC library catalog 

 

 

Library Resources | Recursos de la Biblioteca

Code Name: Butterflies | Available through Academic Video Online.

Dir. Jake Kheel, & Juan Mejia Botero (2008).

Description: "Sometimes the courage for revolution comes from where you least expect it. The sun-soaked Caribbean island of the Dominican Republic, 1960. An embattled people, suffering under the cruel tyranny of Rafael Trujillo, the most blood-thirsty dictator in Latin American history. Three beautiful and remarkable sisters--Patria, Minerva, and Maria Teresa Mirabal--who are resolved to overthrow a government that their fathers, brothers, and husbands could not. Now for the first time the real story will be told on television: the story of the Butterflies (the code-name of the Mirabal sisters) and their courageous efforts to bring down one of the world's most ruthless dictators. It is a suspense-filled tale, about simple and ordinary housewives and mothers who rose to extraordinary heights in an extraordinary time. The Mirabals are a symbol of the men and women of all of the Americas who have lived under dictators like Trujillo, who pillages national treasuries and enslaved their own people. They represent the courageous few in any age who dare to risk their lives for human rights and democracy. "Code Name: Butterflies" is filled with powerful exclusive interviews with the Mirabal's relatives, friends, and other freedom fighters, and behind-the-scenes revelations by Trujillo supporters, who tell the dark side of the story. The documentary draws on photographs, film clips and letters, and is supported by dramatic recreations of key scenes. No one will be able to forget this dramatic and inspiring story." [Trans. "A veces la bravura para se hacer la revolución proviene de dónde menos lo esperas. En la isla caribeña, de la República Dominicana, 1960, hs un pueblo asediado, sufriendo bajo la cruel tiranía de Rafael Trujillo, el dictador más sanguinario de la historia latinoamericana. Tres bellas y notables hermanas - Patria, Minerva y María Teresa Mirabal - están decididas a derrocar el gobierno que sus padres, hermanos y esposos no pudieron. Ahora por primera vez la verdadera historia será contada en televisión: la historia de las Mariposas (el nombre de código de las hermanas Mirabal) y sus valientes esfuerzos para derribar a uno de los dictadores más despiadados del mundo. Es una historia llena de suspense, sobre amas de casa y madres que subieron a alturas extraordinarias en un tiempo extraordinario. Los Mirabales son un símbolo de los hombres y mujeres de todas las Américas que han vivido bajo dictadores como Trujillo, que saquea los tesoros nacionales y esclaviza a su propio pueblo. Representan a los pocos valientes de cualquier edad que se atreven a arriesgar sus vidas por los derechos humanos y la democracia. "Code Name: Butterflies" presenta entrevistas exclusivas con los familiares, amigos y otros luchadores por la libertad de Mirabal, y traje revelaciones de los partidarios de Trujillo, que dicen el lado oscuro de la historia. El documental se basa en fotografías, clips de películas y cartas, y es apoyado por dramáticas recreaciones de escenas clave. Nadie podrá olvidar esta dramática e inspiradora historia."]

Cimarrón Spirit: Afro-Dominican Maroon Culture | Available through Kanopy.

Dir. Rubén Durán (2015).

Description: "In the Dominican Republic, as early as 1512, African slaves escaped from Spanish plantations and lived with the island's Taino Indians or on their own in mountainous jungles in the remote frontier land of Hispaniola. These people who were known as "cimarrones," meaning "maroons," created their own independent communities that have survived for centuries and until recently remained isolated from mainstream Dominican society. These resilient and resourceful "outlaws" have long developed their own celebrations, many of which mock a society that enslaved and branded them.

Our documentary examines cimarrón syncretic cultural celebrations and beliefs that are full of magic, fantasy and popular religiosity. We travel the cimarron regions of the Dominican Republic, near the cities of Elías Pina and Barahona, looking for Dominican Gaga troops and Haitian Rara bands. Traditionally separated by national borders, these religion-based musical forms are beginning to coincide.

Cimarron Spirit explores carnival traditions such as the ritualistic fire burning of the masks and costumes of "Judas," "Cocoricamo," and "Tifuas," as figures important to the cimarron culture of Elías Pina. We also document the similar yet unique ritualistic practices around the figure of "Las Cachuas de Cabral" in the region of Barahona, and the popular "Los Negros de La Joya" and "El Peje" that so much reflect cimarron communal behaviors and beliefs."


To cite this LibGuide use the following templates:

APA: Northern Essex Community College Library. (Date updated). Title of page. Title of LibGuide. URL

MLA: Northern Essex Community College Library. "Title of Page." Title of LibGuide, Date updated, URL.