The Dominican Republic is Mourning

This week’s newsletter will be much shorter than usual and will focus on only one topic.

To call the roof collapse at Jet Set night club in Santo Domingo a tragedy is in many ways minimizing what happened.

But I’m not sure there’s words that can truly describe it.

Personally, like many reading this, I’ve been to Jet Set. It was an amazing facility with incredible live music, a great atmosphere and hosted some huge performers over the years.

It didn’t take long for me to learn of the icon that was Jet Set despite my relatively limited time living here.

In the aftermath, I’ve received dozens or even hundreds of messages with advice ranging from changing names of videos I’ve recently released, to staying quiet on my platforms, to deleting certain things because someone could take it the wrong way, to requests for my opinions and thoughts.

In addition, there are many opining on the cause of the tragedy and even asking if I’ve gone there to create a video yet to report.

Here’s where I stand personally, considering all of the advice, messages and thoughts sent my way.

Let’s just pray.

For the souls and families of the victims, for the rescue or recovery of those critically injured or not yet dug out, for one another given the perspective something like this creates.

Let’s be sensitive to intentions over words.

A gentleman made a comment that was in extreme poor taste on an older video of mine related to the roof collapse at Jet Set. My initial instinct was to eviscerate him with a response, then to delete the comment - but instead I decided to reply sharing how the comment made me feel, assuming his attempt at humor may be his way of dealing. Not one I agree with, but again, trying to sensitive to intentions.

As far as what happened, how it happened, who or what is to blame - there’s time in the future to investigate that.

And I will.

If there are lessons to be learned, spotlights to be shined on the building industry so that this sort of thing never happens again - I believe that’s important.

But that’s for another day.

For now - I’m hugging my kids a little more, cancelling some meetings to be more present with my family, mourning and reflecting.

I messaged my friends that live in Santo Domingo including some that were very close to Rubby Perez and themselves part of the merengue scene. I’m thankful to know they’re all ok.

I’m looking for the right avenues, charities or otherwise to raise funds to help those impacted.

Writing this newsletter this way felt right to me. I understand sensitivities are heightened but hope you’ll grant me the grace of good intentions.

Take care.