Scope and arrangement
Composed of political statements, writings, and printed matter (such as flyers, newsletters, and clippings), the Documents of the Haitian Left collection chronicles Haiti's socio-political and economic conditions, United States involvement in Haiti, and the circum-Caribbean and the effects of this influence on the region. Forming the bulk of the collection, and written in English, French, and Kreyol, the papers and political statements are mostly unpublished and span the late 1970s-early 1990s. In general, the papers analyze Haiti's socio-political and economic history and development from a leftist perspective, as well as cover significant grassroots moments and issues such as the United States' handling of Haitian refugees.
There are flyers and newsletters from Haitian organizations such as the Committee Against Repression in Haiti, Comite Unite-Lutte Unite, Group Kiltriel Ayisin Progresis, Komite Pou You Altenative Progresis, and Organization Revolisione Perat-Batravil. Generally these materials call members to protests and reflect on events in the Caribbean and in the United States; many meetings were held to show solidarity with Haitian refugees and Caribbean and Latin American nations' political struggles. Of note are a number of flyers for events hosted by Haitian student clubs at Columbia University and on various City University of New York campuses, including Bronx Community College, Brooklyn College, City College of New York, Hunter College, Medgar Evers College, and Staten Island College.
In addition, there is a small folder of published poetry in French and Kreyol by poets such as Paul Laraque, a Haitian exile, and Roger Dorsinville, and manuscripts of a short story and play written by Louis Andre Gaudin.