Caribe Soy (I'm Caribbean) by Ramón Torres is a great fit to accompany our Señora Bachata Mix(ed)tape Podcast episode because, among the many bachata songs expressing some version of national pride, Caribe Soy is one of the only ones that uses the formula of national or regional pride while also explicitly recognizing the African roots of the region and the inequalities across racial lines.
In spite of the fact that Ramón Torres was not able to acquire many years of education given his poor upbringing, he is one of the few bachateros who go beyond lyrics of love and heartbreak introducing in his lyrics reflections addressing social issues. Caribe Soy is a prime example of this approach because it does not blindly buy into the miscegenation myth. Instead, the song recognizes the hardship of the African and native peoples, breaking the romanticized notion of an ideal, somehow superior mix.
Were we listening?
In this episode we hear from host Andrés Hincapié and from two Afro-Dominican guests: dancer and instructor Noeli Nathalie Rubio Reynoso and Spanish interpreter and local bachatero Antonio “Chaggy” Feliz Gómez.
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Host/Director of Series: Andrés Hincapié, PhD
Producer: Melissa Villodas, PhD Candidate
Graphic Content Creator: Susan Mykalcio