Abstract

Founded in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood in 1968, The Young Lords transformed themselves from what had originally been a street gang into a political organization. These activists dedicated themselves to challenging the forced displacement of Puerto Ricans from their homes through urban renewal, Puerto Rican nationalism, and the struggle for democratic rights for all Latinos and the poor. This project explores the experience of these activists, focusing particularly on the community context in which the organization was founded and grown. Drawing upon the more than 75 oral histories and related photographs and archives, Mr. Jiménez has collected in the course of his summer research, this presentation will outline the key findings of the project, underscoring the unique contributions this research provides in the larger context of human rights, immigration, transnational/anti-colonial politics, and the Latino American experience.