Oral history interview with Eduardo Flores

Eduardo Flores, also known as Eduardo Jesus Flores Hernandez, spoke about his extended family history and ethnic background, which included Canarian, Dominican, and African ancestry; his childhood in Pinar del Rio, and later Havana with his aunt and cousins, including his school experience, Sunday movie matinees, weekly Catholic church, and chores; and what his parents did for work. Note, Flores identified himself as Black Afro-Cuban and Black Hispanic. Flores explained in detail what happens in Cuba when the government knows you are leaving the country, and why he almost did not leave Cuba. He spoke about his migration and arrival in Miami in 1969, including staying at Cuban Refugee, living in New Orleans from 1969 to 1971, and then migrating to Washington, DC. Flores detailed his school experience, learning English, his first time experiencing discrimination, and the racial and ethnic divisions and tension in New Orleans as well as his high school experience in Washington, DC. He also explained how discrimination and racial identity differed in the United States and Cuba as well as a brief history of slavery in both countries. Flores explained he joined sports to be accepted; he felt hostility toward Black people because he was not accepted as a Black person in the US; learning about Black history and culture in the United States; and how and when he started to see commonalities between Black people in the US and himself. Flores explained in detail Santeria, a religion with Yoruba roots; when and why he started to study Santeria; how he became a Santero and his work; and his goal to write a book about the roots of slavery and the roots of Santeria. He also spoke extensively about his mother's death, with a connection to Santeria. Eduardo Flores was interviewed by Hector Corporan. Interview is in English. Digital audio files include white noise and static. Interviewee's voice is intelligible for the most part.