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We Took the Streets: Fighting for Latino Rights with the Young Lords
In 1968 Miguel “Mickey” Melendez was a college student, developing pride in his Cuban and Puerto Rican cultural identity and becoming increasingly aware of the effects of social inequality on Latino Americans. Joining with other like-minded student activists, Melendez helped form the central committee of the New York branch of the Young Lords, one of the most provocative a...more
Paperback, 260 pages
Published
February 4th 2005
by Rutgers University Press
(first published June 14th 2003)
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Melendez took me through a solicitous and receptive journey of the YLP, which also includes crucial parts of his own experience as well. I feasted on the descriptive cultural tidbits and their struggle to understand who they are on their own terms. A definite must read for today's youth of color, many of whom who feels or has no connection to the larger society and d the inflicted trauma we are accustomed to by our social and emotional conditionings. The YLP is a def. legacy for they gave most o...more
One of my favorite books. Written in a very accessible manner. For folks who aren't in the know, The Young Lords were a revolutionary Puerto Rican organization mainly based in New York. Some people refer to them as the Puerto Rican version of the Black Panthers.
The author, a former member of the Young Lords, conveys a lot of great stories of some of the actions they took. For example, they wanted the local hospital to serve the local community needs more, but the administration wasn't responding...more
The author, a former member of the Young Lords, conveys a lot of great stories of some of the actions they took. For example, they wanted the local hospital to serve the local community needs more, but the administration wasn't responding...more
This book is great! I've been talking about it all over the place - I didn't know very much about the Young Lords and this book tells the stories of a lot of their direct action and organizational history with a great grounding in the history & culture of Puerto Rico and Nuyoricans.
BUT! I borrowed this book from Michelle and she warned accurately that you read the book constantly feeling like "why don't you ask some women about their experience!?!" though Melendez does acknowledge the women...more
BUT! I borrowed this book from Michelle and she warned accurately that you read the book constantly feeling like "why don't you ask some women about their experience!?!" though Melendez does acknowledge the women...more
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I questioned the validity of this book, the deeper I got into it. Liked it until their philosophy changed from social reformers to militants w a manifesto. They totally lost their way and completely fell apart.
Pretty insightful look into the Young Lords Organization/Party in the Bronx, NYC. Not always "historical" in a traditional sense because it is a memoir, but it does a pretty good job of attempting to provide context to what was happening. It is also valuable because it provides a look into other stories besides Abbie Hoffman and the BPP making the mythical 60s early 70s richer, more complex and more interesting.
The Young Lords were very flawed, but it makes their successes even sweeter. Despite their failures they did a remarkable amount of good for New York and the fact that their crazy tactics actually worked should be an inspiration for all of us who spend our days trying not to go against the grain.
Interesting, but poorly written. In my opinion, Melendez over analyzes his role as a leader in the Young Lords and tries, unsuccessfully, to sound like Malcom X.
Essential memoir of the NY Young Lords. Accessible, lots of context. Reads like having a beer with an activist elder.
Although interesting, poorly written. However, the story within needs to be shared.
Power to the Peoples.
Apr 04, 2013
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