Pierre S. Jeune

Pierre Jeune is fifteen years old.  Currently, he attends Hudson High School.  In this interview, Pierre begins by discussing his parentage.  At seventeen, his father emigrated to the United States from Haiti.  His mother, now a physician, grew up in “the projects” in Brooklyn, New York.  Pierre talks about the private school where he attended kindergarten through fifth grade; he reflects on aspects of its culture, including class issues.  He compares his experiences in private school versus public school.  Pierre talks about his participation in student government at Hudson High School, the way he and his classmates relate to each other, and the problem of bullying.  He notes an evolving sense of affiliation with the city of Hudson.  Pierre explores a notion of fate; he uses that to make sense of his past and consider his future.  He speaks to coming to terms with his abilities and status among his peers.  He gives thought to his maturation in connection to the loss of a family member.  Pierre tells the story of a time he and his father encountered a police officer, and he contemplates the condition of race relations in society.