I: Mariposa #2, was your soon-to-be husband the reason you joined this movement?
MT: I admit that I fell in love with him at first sight—he, he just had something that intrigued me and lit my soul on fire—and so I was prepared to do anything to be close to him. I also felt like doing something honorable, something he devoted his life to, would be the only way to attract his attention, although Mariposa #1 later said my beauty had already done that (laughs). But also, when I learned about the movement, I felt thrilled, like I could finally do something for my broken country. So to answer that question, I guess—yes, I suppose he was the reason I became interested, though the movement’s ideals also played a part.
I: Was there anything that happened—or that you realized—later that made you more committed to the revolution?
MT: Absolutely. After I joined, I opened my eyes…just a bit more. I mean, it is not like I did not know the atrocities Trujillo committed, especially since he had done what he did with Papa and Mariposa #1, but after that I began realizing just how much damage he was doing—not just to my family, but to everyone around me. So often I heard stories, about el vecino who had not immediately replied to a letter sent to him by Trujillo and was taken away, about la doña who had forgotten to say “Viva Trujillo!” as a wish of a good morning to a close henchman of his and disappeared as well. Horrible things done to innocent people for silly porquerias! I was not brave like …but even I had had enough! Of course, being in prison changed me a lot too… It scarred me.* (pauses) But I think what changed me the most was having my darling, Jacqueline. She is my light now, the most precious thing in my life, and when I think about our country as it is, I think “I don’t want this for her; I don’t want this for my baby”. And because I understand the feelings of my sisters towards their children, I want to protect them too. I don’t want any of my nieces and nephews to grow up in this mess of a country…I’m sorry, that was such a long answer! (laughs) Does that answer it?
I: There is nothing to apologize for; it was an amazing and poignant answer. Now tell me…has the movement changed you? Do you notice anything new about yourself, personality-wise?
MT: Ah, this is, this is not a simple question to answer. I had never been as fierce as my sister Mariposa #1—I burst out crying when someone argued with me, for Christ’s sake!—I was just really emotional. And even today it is the same way; I still get teary about every little thing. So no, that has not changed. But at the same time, I am a slightly different person. No longer am I mumbling in the sidelines, complaining about this insane regime inside my head and not doing anything about it…I would be lying if I said I am not scared, but even while holding on to my fear, I like to think I am growing a little braver day by day.
I: How do you see the Dominican Republic in ten years?
MT: Ten years is a long time! A long enough time for the revolution to carry through, I’m sure. I imagine our little country being unrecognizable, as far as politics go. We will be independent from Trujillo without a doubt; we will be a democratic country in which we choose who will rule us and no one is scared to criticize the government. We will finally understand the true meaning of the freedom we never had, like the caterpillars that spend their time cooped up in a cocoon and discover the ecstasy of liberty as mariposas with their flight-ready wings.
I: your words are soon to be prophetic! Thank you for your time, compañera, and blessed be your efforts to liberate our country.
*-parts were omitted because of emotional sensitivity to the topic. Interviewee insisted on finishing her answer.
MT: I admit that I fell in love with him at first sight—he, he just had something that intrigued me and lit my soul on fire—and so I was prepared to do anything to be close to him. I also felt like doing something honorable, something he devoted his life to, would be the only way to attract his attention, although Mariposa #1 later said my beauty had already done that (laughs). But also, when I learned about the movement, I felt thrilled, like I could finally do something for my broken country. So to answer that question, I guess—yes, I suppose he was the reason I became interested, though the movement’s ideals also played a part.
I: Was there anything that happened—or that you realized—later that made you more committed to the revolution?
MT: Absolutely. After I joined, I opened my eyes…just a bit more. I mean, it is not like I did not know the atrocities Trujillo committed, especially since he had done what he did with Papa and Mariposa #1, but after that I began realizing just how much damage he was doing—not just to my family, but to everyone around me. So often I heard stories, about el vecino who had not immediately replied to a letter sent to him by Trujillo and was taken away, about la doña who had forgotten to say “Viva Trujillo!” as a wish of a good morning to a close henchman of his and disappeared as well. Horrible things done to innocent people for silly porquerias! I was not brave like …but even I had had enough! Of course, being in prison changed me a lot too… It scarred me.* (pauses) But I think what changed me the most was having my darling, Jacqueline. She is my light now, the most precious thing in my life, and when I think about our country as it is, I think “I don’t want this for her; I don’t want this for my baby”. And because I understand the feelings of my sisters towards their children, I want to protect them too. I don’t want any of my nieces and nephews to grow up in this mess of a country…I’m sorry, that was such a long answer! (laughs) Does that answer it?
I: There is nothing to apologize for; it was an amazing and poignant answer. Now tell me…has the movement changed you? Do you notice anything new about yourself, personality-wise?
MT: Ah, this is, this is not a simple question to answer. I had never been as fierce as my sister Mariposa #1—I burst out crying when someone argued with me, for Christ’s sake!—I was just really emotional. And even today it is the same way; I still get teary about every little thing. So no, that has not changed. But at the same time, I am a slightly different person. No longer am I mumbling in the sidelines, complaining about this insane regime inside my head and not doing anything about it…I would be lying if I said I am not scared, but even while holding on to my fear, I like to think I am growing a little braver day by day.
I: How do you see the Dominican Republic in ten years?
MT: Ten years is a long time! A long enough time for the revolution to carry through, I’m sure. I imagine our little country being unrecognizable, as far as politics go. We will be independent from Trujillo without a doubt; we will be a democratic country in which we choose who will rule us and no one is scared to criticize the government. We will finally understand the true meaning of the freedom we never had, like the caterpillars that spend their time cooped up in a cocoon and discover the ecstasy of liberty as mariposas with their flight-ready wings.
I: your words are soon to be prophetic! Thank you for your time, compañera, and blessed be your efforts to liberate our country.
*-parts were omitted because of emotional sensitivity to the topic. Interviewee insisted on finishing her answer.
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