Oral history interview with Kleber Vielot

Kleber Vielot spoke about why he migrated to and remained in the United States in 1959; what he left behind, including his children and library, in Haiti; his work in New York City, and his first time working for a white man; his mentor in New York City; navigating NYC and mass transit system; his Haitian political work while he was living in the United States; and forming soccer team and building Haitian community. Vielot also mentioned he taught primary and secondary education, and had a role with a teachers' union in Haiti. Vielot spoke in detail about his Haitian and American heroes, including Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Malcolm X, and MLK. He explained the difference between the civil rights struggle in the United States and what was happening in Haiti; why interactions between Black Haitians and Black Americans are difficult, and how their relationship evolved; the differences between Black Haitians and Black Americans; the constructed inferiority of Black Americans in the United States; and African, French, and United States influence in Haiti and on Haitians. Vielot spoke about Haitian youth and identity crisis; why Haitian parents criticize American way of life; differences in how children are raised in the United States versus Haiti; why Haitians return to Haiti; the differences in the educational systems between United States and Haiti; discipline, including how Haitian teachers disciplined students in Haiti; and how to retain Haitian culture while living in the United States, including while raising children. Vielot stated where his children were educated, some in the United States and some in Haiti; and what his children studied in higher education. Vielot explained why he never became an United States citizen. He stated his wife, also Haitian, became an United States citizen; and that he was born and raised Catholic. Vielot explained how the Haitian diaspora affects politics and economics in Haiti; how he communicated with and sent money to his family as a political exile of Haiti under the Francois Duvalier regime; and the differences between the Haitian political exiles when he was exiled versus Haitian political exiles in 1993. Vielot also explained the importance and role of oral tradition, including stories and proverbs, in the lives of Africans and Haitians. He described a few of the stories; and recited and explained proverbs. Vielot also spoke about Francois Duvalier and Haitian politics; Haitian independence; Haitian way of life in Haiti; Haitian and African culture and values; origin, history, beliefs, and practices of vodou; rites of passage in Haiti; the importance of education to the Haitian family; the value of individuals based on their occupation; the respect teachers received in Haiti; his visits to Africa; how babies are named in Africa; relationships between men and women; characteristics of Haitians; and stereotypes about Haitians. Interview is in English and minimal Haitian Creole; Vielot recited proverbs in Haitian Creole and then explained them in English. Digital audio files include white noise and static; minimal background noise; and a very short portion of the audio is distorted. Interviewee can be heard clearly for the most part.