Massacre River

Massacre River is an emblematic place and even that epitomizes some of the greatest tension between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Having students read and reflect on Massacre River is important if they are going to get to the heart of the issue. For this readings, I opted to ask students to create an outline of events rather than answer a litany of questions. Then students can act a jury member or as a trial lawyer to write their assessment of Trujillo's involvement in this event. 

The Massacre River 

By Michele Wucker 

(author of Why the Cocks Fight: Dominicans, Haitians and the Struggle for Hispaniola) 

http://www.windowsonhaiti.com/windowsonhaiti/wucker1.shtml

Vocabulary:

Ambiguity – uncertain of meaning

Arbitrary – based on random choice rather than reason

Assuaged – make less intense

Coerced – persuade through force

Alleged – said without proof

Deportation – kick out of a country

Repugnant – extremely distasteful

Martyr – a person who dies for a cause

Façade – an outward appearance used to cover up something

Accost – address aggressively

Maniacal – wild behavior

Revoked – put an end to something official

Tasks:

I. List the historical factors that were lead to the Massacre at Massacre river in 1937.

II. If you were in a jury evaluating whether or not Trujillo was responsible for this massacre what would be your verdict? Please provide at least 3-4 reasons to defend your decision. (You should quote from the reading).