The Young Lords began as a street gang in 1959. The gang was founded originally to protect the Puerto Rican community in Chicago as race crimes arose both from police officers and the white community. The need for protection appeared as Puerto Rican immigration increased the population of Puerto Ricans in inner cities. The most know chairman of The Young Lords, Cha Cha Jimenez shifted the focus of the “gang” in 1967 after being released from prison. During his conviction he realized that the real threat to the Puerto Rican community and communities of color in general was the government. Jimenez spent his time in prison analyzing books by the likes of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. This motivated him to strive to lead a revolution not only to protect his people but uplift them as well. (Libcom.org)
As The Young Lords transitioned from a street gang into an activist group they reached out to other local Chicago gangs to shift their focus to the repressive nature of the government rather than petty gang violence. The Young Lords then changed their name to “The Young Lord Organization” and began to work diligently in the Lincoln Park community. (Libcom.org) Similar to activist groups like the Black Panther Party, The Young Lords created daycare centers, proposed public housing and, secured local clinics to assist the community in ways the government refused to. They also sought to be recognized as Boricuas and not “Spanish”. This was done to exclaim pride in their Afro-Taino (African and Indigenous) roots. Although The Young Lords was mainly controlled by men, the women of the organization worked to assist the organization through defending women’s rights to abortion, birth control, and child care. (Hampton Institution) They played a key role in the Women’s Liberation movement by catering to the needs of women of color, specifically in low and middle-class communities. As The Young Lords became well known different chapters were created nationwide. One of the most honorable aspects of The Young Lords was their dedication to inclusivity. Although they were centered on empowering Puerto Rican communities, they accepted all minority groups into the organization. They believed revolutionary support was the only way communities of color could overcome oppression.
Despite the major waves of progression created by the Young Lords they are often erased from the history most people are taught in school, just as many other prominent people of color have been. In the midst of Black History Month, it is essential to note how far afro communities have come. Organizations like The Young Lords and the Black Panther Party paved the path of activism. Keeping this in mind it is important to realize how much activism in the 60’s aided who we are now. Activists then set the foundation for activism today, for empowerment, and for courage. With that being said, their jobs are not done. Their fight for equality in communities of color was cut short, leaving us with the responsibility to fight for a nation free of marginalization, centered on not only equality but equity as well.