Viter Juste, also known as the father of Little Haiti was a Haitian pioneer, an activist, and community leader who envisioned a life of prosperity and success for Haitians especially those in the United-States. Viter moved to the United States from Haiti alone during the 1950s due to the political state of Haiti at the time. Many Haitians moved abroad in the 50s and 60s to escape the terrors of Duvalier's dictatorship.
While Haitians were struggling under the Dictatorship of Duvalier, African-Americans were also fighting their own battle with racism and inequality in America. Juste would move from an imperious government rule in Haiti only to experience the systematic racism faced by blacks in America. He first moved to Texas, then to New York where he would reside for several years. In 1974, Juste moved to Miami, Florida with his wife and children.
Like Juste, the majority of Haitians in the 60s and 70s lived in South Florida. In September 1963, the first boatload of Haitian refugees landed in South Florida following the continued violence caused by Duvalier in Haiti. Haitian immigrants were constantly discriminated against and were referred to as "boat people." Although they asked for political asylum, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) rejected the request and the boat was sent back to Haiti. According to an article published by the New York Times, "American authorities rejected more political asylum requests from Haitians than those from any other national group." Young Haitians were not allowed to attend the Miami Public School as they were not only black but, Haitians which was considered almost a crime. People of Haitian descent in Miami in the 70s were seen as repulsive and less than. Viter Juste saw the abhorrent mistreatment of Haitian immigrants in his community and decided to take a stance against the injustice and fight for Haitian rights.
Juste began by leading a community boycott against a local branch of the Winn-Dixie supermarket, which openly discriminated against Haitians. Following the boycott, Juste protested against the Miami- Dade County Public school in the 1970s after they refused to enroll undocumented Haitian students in their school district. He then shortly after coined the term Little Haiti" and created an inclusive Haitian community in Miami which was known at the time as "Lemon City". Juste also becomes the first person in Miami to establish a French-based newspaper, "Les Cousins" aimed to bring the Haitian Community together.
Juste was also a husband and a father, a well-beloved man that paved the way for many Haitians in Little Haiti. His accomplishments continue to inspire many in the Haitian community. In 2017, Juste was honored with a mural in Little Haiti which is placed on property adjacent to NE 2nd Ave and NE 59th Street. Viter Juste passed away in 2012, but his work and dedication will always be remembered.
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