Mihailo Milivojevic
Miller/Quezada
English 1A
4 May 2014
The Struggles of Minerva Mirabal The beauty and culture of the Dominican Republic has changed and evolved drastically through out the years. Unfortunately, the Dominican Republic also known as the DR or Republica Domicana to its natives, was ruled by an oppressive dictator from 1930 until 1961. Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina was his name and manipulation was his game. He ruled by fear and held a tight grip on the civilians of the Dominican Republic. Trujillo ingrained in their homes, schools, and churches that there is only God and Trujillo. Anyone who tried to speak out would be dealt with violently. Trujillo did not stop one driven young lady of the Mirabal family, whose name is Minerva. Minerva Mirabal is the boldest sister out of the Mirabal sisters. El Jefe, which is another nickname for Trujillo is not popular amongst women in the Dominican Republic. Most civilians will tolerate him and his heinous laws against women, because of the fear instilled in them from the regime. But, at the party while dancing with Minerva, Trujillo is aggressive and vulgarly sexually harassing Minerva against her own will; “And then literally, he draws me to him, so close I can feel the hardness at his groin pressing against my dress” (Alvarez 100). Usually dances in certain cultures may seem more intimate, but this action that old Trujillo commits against young Minerva was out of line. El Jefe even at his own ball will try to intimidate women who he finds sexually desirable into pleasing him. The only way to understand the sexist ways of Trujillo is to get inside of his head. Before the vulgar courting of Minerva, El Jefe was getting acquainted with Minerva and sharing his thoughts; “The university is no place for a woman these days” (Alvarez 99). Both the power Trujillo holds and his mindset is what causes much adversity for women in the Era of Trujillo. El Jefe views women less than men and it shows in his ridiculous laws and treatment of women. The women who trust and believe in his ways are only supporting the downward spiral of gender equality in the Era of Trujillo. Trujillo got more than what he bargained for when he messed with the wrong woman. Minerva Mirabal was not like the rest of the women and men in the Dominican Republic. She had something that others did not, it was fierceness and drive. Her actions ticked Trujillo off; “...and I can see my hand in an endless slow motion rise –a mind all its own – and come down on the astonished, made-up face” (Alvarez 100). Minerva was not intimidated by the power of Trujillo and she did not want to play any games. She felt that she was wronged by El Jefe and that he got what was coming to him. Her parents scolded her and her
