Interview with Joanne Hyppolite

              Haitian Diaspora Oral History Collection
Interview with Joanne Hyppolite
Miami, FL, August 9, 2013
Interview ASM0085000035
Interviewed by Lucrèce Louisdhon-Louinis
Recorded by Javier Carrion
Outline by Lucrèce Louisdhon-Louinis and Ben Morris
Length: 00:48:15
Interview with Joanne Hyppolite, an accomplished children’s writer and the Chief Curator at HistoryMiami, where she oversees the museum’s exhibitions and collections department. She has published two popular middle-grade novels for children: Seth and Samona, which won the 1994 Marguerite DeAngeli prize for New Children’s Fiction, and Ola Shakes It Up. Her short stories have also been published in The Caribbean Writer and The Butterfly’s Way: Voices from the Haitian Diaspora. Hyppolite has Ph.D. in literature from the University of Miami, an M.A. in Afro-American Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a B.A from the University of Pennsylvania. An experienced public speaker, she lectures widely at schools, libraries, and conferences on African-American and Caribbean culture and children’s literature.
This interview forms part of the Haitian Diaspora Oral History Collection of the University of Miami Libraries Special Collections.
This oral history expresses the views, memories and opinions of the interviewee. It does not represent the viewpoints of the University of Miami, its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers. The University of Miami makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the interview and expressly disclaims any liability therefor.
Copyright to this interview lies with the University of Miami. It may not be reproduced, retransmitted, published, distributed, or broadcast without the permission of the University of Miami Libraries Special Collections. For information about obtaining copies or to request permission to publish any part of this interview, please contact Special Collections at asc@miami.edu.
Joanne Hyppolite 2
August 9, 2013
INTERVIEW OUTLINE
− 00:00:13: Introduction.
− 00:00:30: Let’s start with your childhood – where were you born, where were your parents from, your schooling, etc. – just a little bit about your family.
− 00:03:54: In each of these cultures, did you have someone that took you by the hand and really made a big impact in each one of them?
− 00:08:28: Based on what you just said, I’m going to stay on that a little bit. I’m curious to know, because you have a strong Haitian family, and you also have an African-American influence, did you feel that you were better prepared for what was happening in the Caucasian world? Because that sense of self and knowing who you are, has that combination helped you to navigate?
− 00:11:20: You’re a writer and a lover of literature, so as you were growing up in Boston, did someone introduce you to reading? How did you get the love of reading? Was there someone who really encouraged that passion?
− 00:13:10: Your parents were both readers because they encouraged you, I’m sure. So what type of books did you like the best? Fiction, non-fiction? Tell us a bit more.
− 00:14:22: What made you become a writer? Was that the beginning of your sense of stories?
− 00:17:19: Tell me about Seth and Samona – it always reminded me of some of the Beverly Cleary characters and how spunky they were and things like that. So as you go on presenting that book, what kind of effect does that have on your audience… what do you see, depending on the audience?
− 00:19:34: When you go to a school that has Haitian students, what’s the response from them – do they actually want to be identified as Haitian-American, or do they come to you afterwards and say, “thank you,” or “I really feel good about this character in the book,” etc. What’s their reaction?
− 00:22:54: What about when you go to a school where the majority is African-American? How do they respond to the book?
− 00:23:36: You won the Marguerite DeAngeli prize for New Children’s Fiction... Tell us a little bit about what the award means...
− 00:25:32: You traveled to the University of Ibadan in Nigeria… I can’t imagine being in a university in Africa as opposed to the US, so tell us about that experience. How different was it?
− 00:30:20: To draw on your experience in Africa…when I visited Africa and walked out of the airport in Ghana, I felt at home. Did you feel at home when you just got to Africa? Joanne Hyppolite 3
August 9, 2013
− 00:32:11: So you finished university, then what was your first job?
− 00:34:01: So from UCLA [after you got your M.A.], we’ll continue on the journey. So what happened next?
− 00:36:15: Have you had the chance to go to other Caribbean symposiums to present your books?
− 00:36:53: Becoming chief curator at HistoryMiami – there’s a whole story behind that one. You started, and I remember meeting you here. Let’s talk about this journey, because it always fascinated me.
− 00:40:28: This passion…you love this so much and you keep it up in passing it on to others. So how many others so far have you passed on this extraordinary dedication to culture?
− 00:42:25: With all of these accomplishments, which one is closest to your heart?
− 00:43:11: You just started a new book… do you want to tell us a little what the new book will be about?
− 00:44:23: So who’s the spunk character in [your new book]?
− 00:44:41: Anything else that I missed that you would like to tell for posterity?
− 00:48:15: END OF INTERVIEW