Yolanda Ruiz is a 82 year old grandmother of 20 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and mother of 7 kids. She was born and raised in the Dominican Republic during the period of Leonard Trujillo’s dictatorship. We sat together one cold night to discuss how life for her was going up with a dictator. After the interview she showed me a few pictures of her and her family back in Dominican Republic in the early 1900’s.Innocent young girl I was around 15 most likely younger. Leonard Trujillo was the dictator in the Dominican Republic before I was born and my years of growing up in Dominican Republic. I wasn’t scared at all besides what’s to be scared of, it was the way of life I guess I was so used to it. All his rules and commands I just got used to them. He was already dictator before I was born so as I grew up I didn’t have much to say but just respect.
I grew up hating him didn’t know exactly why though. Don’t remember really asking my parents anyways. But my family hated him and all my friends did too. I thought hating him was just another thing you had to do.
Everyone had to have pictures of him “El era el jefe” (he was the boss in Spanish) and if you didn’t have a picture of him he’ll destroy your whole house and killed whoever lived in it. Never even got to see him even though he hold extreme amount of power in my country and a wall just for his picture in my front porch.
Many wonder how can one men rule a whole country with thousands living in it, but its mostly because before he became dictator he was commander of the Nation Army. He used his statues of the army to gain power. (takes a long pause) he had a lot of respect and took advantage of it.When he died woof (takes a deep breath) that was one heck of a party. Didn’t know exactly why I was going crazy with the others but for some odd reason felt… you know, free. And my neighborhood was going more crazier then the others because the men that shot him was from my very own neighborhood.
Hmmm the country didn’t owe money to no one, they didn’t have a lot of violence well besides the one he cost. The education was good, more teachers, more supplies, a lot of textbooks and hmmm jobs? Well a lot of people were working. It wasn’t hard finding a job back then.
Women were treated good but if he liked one well lets just say he’ll hmm rape them (signs) yeah rape. Even though he’ll rape and kill, some used to still like him many because he used to help. He used to give you food if you didn’t have. You know he used to help you.
Tourist we’re treated Nice, good. Hmmm… there wasn’t that much tourist in my country at that time. Like think about it, who will like to visit a country with a dictator?
When I moved to the United States in my mid 40’s I felt good. Felt independent. More opportunity’s for me, the father of my kids, and my kids to have a better life. And even though
the climate is super different (laughs) the police were better, more justice. I felt I had power over myself in the Untied States unlike I had in Dominican Republic. Hmm how could I explain it. Life was more easier, like they give you more here in the U.S. then they did in Santo Domingo. We could live happy and with less stress. What’s not to be happy about? (smiles and laughs)
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