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US Latinx Activism and Protests: From the Farm to the (Legislative) Table Art produced during the Chicanx Movement Abstract: In the midst of change, The Chicanx Movement was a monumental time for Mexican Americans in the United States during the late 1960s. The movement addressed the social, economic, and political inequalities experienced by Mexican Americans across the nation. Aimed to celebrate and acknowledge cultural pride and identity, the movement also sought to reclaim and celebrate Mexican and Mexican American history, art, and culture. The Chicanx Movement played a significant role in shaping the Latino identity and influencing subsequent social justice movements, and the artwork produced during this time allowed for many to voice their opinions on the political and social climate of the U.S during the time. LA Demonstrations During the Chicano Movement Abstract: The Chicano Movement was a movement that involved Mexican-Americans all over the United States and was a crucial component to establishing civil rights for Latinos. While Chicanos living in the United States were at the focal point of discrimination in society, they figured that it was best to come together and establish a sense of familiarity in order to combat these racial remarks and disadvantages. To spark attention to their cause and movement, many Chicanos participated in numerous demonstrations and while many were peaceful, many considered them as radical. By Steve, Lexi, and Ricardo Bracero Program In this project we will be analyzing a number of facets of the Bracero Program with a specific focus on the causes, on both sides of the border, which culminated in the agreement. Consequently, we will explore the historical context of the US and Mexico of the first half of the twentieth century, including the impact of the Mexican Revolution as well as the dire situation brought about by the second world war. By utilizing this basis we will then analyze the “migration aspect” entailed by the program, travel from Mexico to the US and various territories. Not only as an in depth look at the agreement, but also as a necessary foundation. One which will permit the Bracero Program to be positioned in history, while simultaneously deepening the exposition and understanding of a largely forgotten case of large-scale abuse and exploitation. We anticipate this will form the backbone of the examination of bracero experiences: first-hand accounts and testimonials.. By Fernando, Joy and Lizeth Guatemalan Genocide & Its Dark Truth This page will focus on the Guatemalan genocide, a period of brutal violence that brought tremendous adversity to those indigenous communities residing in the rural areas of Guatemala. It will provide details regarding the atrocities that the Mayan people experienced, the trauma that was left behind, and the hardships that they continue to face today. Furthermore, it will demonstrate how this heinous period of history fostered activism and social movements in Guatemala. By Paola Chavarria and & Aurora Nieves Chicano Farm Worker Movement In this project, we will be discussing about the Chicano Farm Worker Movement and how it brought change to not only farm workers but to society as a whole. We will be focused on the working conditions of farm workers prior and after the movement, notable or influential leaders, and the communities that were fueling the movement. By examining their struggles, successes, and legacy, we wanted to provide a better understanding of the process needed to advocate and bring forth social change for a marginalized group of people. Last, we wanted to remove stereotypes and other misconceptions about the movement in creating a more equitable society. Por: Justin Bui, Kristi Kang, Jenniffer Young Las "Brujas" Feministas: Magazines, Art, and Television This project intends to provide a comprehensive analysis of women's representation in different mediums such as art, television, and fanzines. In this way, the goal is to understand the gender stereotypes that women have had to overcome from a feminist perspective. Through this discussion, the hope is to amplify women's voices to promote inclusive and equitable representation in society. By Claudia Mejia, Janet Landa, Diana Andrade Walkouts and Protests in Los Angeles On our page, we will discuss the walkouts and protests that took place within schools and communities across Los Angeles. The school protests happened because Latino students wanted to see a change in the education system. Some of the changes Latino students wanted to see implemented were hiring more Chicano professors and administrators, having more Chicano Studies classes in higher education, and overall being treated better without discrimination or judgment. In the 1960s, high school students faced racism and discrimination, which included a lack of education and insufficient school buildings in comparison to those of white students in the area. Walkouts famously took place at Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles, where there was a large population of Latino students. In 1993, college students also faced a lack of Chicano education when budget cuts put the Chicano classes at UCLA at risk of being shut down. This led to a hunger strike, where UCLA students protested and ultimately helped to establish the UCLA César E. Chávez Department of Chicana/o Studies. In the years leading up to 1965, Latino and Black communities also protested because they wanted to see a change in the way they were treated. The Black community finally had enough in 1965 and the Watts Riots happened, which in the end led to positive changes in their community. By Sydney Schwinger, Vanessa Harris, Jazmin Chavez

Legacy and Impact of the Young Lords

The Young Lords Party was a Puerto Rican nationalist group that emerged in the late 1960s in New York City. The organization sought to address the social, political, and economic issues faced by Puerto Ricans and other marginalized communities. The Young Lords made a significant impact on various fronts, leaving a lasting legacy in several areas.

Major Contributions

One of the major contributions of the Young Lords was their intersectional approach to activism. They recognized the interconnectedness of issues affecting their communities, including poverty, inadequate healthcare, police brutality, educational disparities, and the lack of affordable housing. By addressing these interconnected issues, the Young Lords challenged systemic oppression and advocated for comprehensive social change.

The Young Lords also played a crucial role in empowering marginalized communities. They encouraged grassroots organizing, community involvement, and political education. Their approach involved not just protesting and raising awareness but also providing practical support to their communities. They established free breakfast programs, healthcare clinics, and daycares, addressing immediate needs while also building long-term comunity and resilience.

The Young Lords and Black Panther Party

"Multiple times, the Young Lords and the Black Panther Party united to act against injustices that affected both black and Puerto Rican communities, and police harassed both groups during their protests. For example, during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, the police arrested eight key members of protest organizations, including Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Seale, for “inciting a riot” after a multiracial march to protest unequal housing opportunities."

The Young Lords also fostered connections with other civil rights and social justice organizations, such as the Black Panther Party and the American Indian Movement. This cross-cultural collaboration fostered solidarity among different marginalized groups and helped broaden the scope of their activism. The Young Lords and the Black Panthers collaborated primarily in the late 1960s and early 1970s, during a period of intense civil rights activism and social unrest. Both organizations sought to address the systemic oppression and inequality experienced by their communities. One of the key areas of collaboration between the Young Lords and the Black Panthers was in organizing protests and demonstrations against police brutality. Both groups advocated for community control of law enforcement and demanded an end to the mistreatment and violence inflicted upon Black and Latinx communities. They worked together to bring attention to specific cases of police misconduct and to challenge oppressive policing practices.

Challenges and Downfall

However, the Young Lords faced significant challenges and eventually experienced a decline. Internal divisions and ideological disagreements weakened the organization. Some members advocated for a more militant approach, while others sought a more community-oriented strategy. These differences, combined with external pressures such as government surveillance and harassment, contributed to the decline of the Young Lords in the mid-1970s. Despite their eventual decline, the Young Lords' legacy continues to inspire and inform contemporary movements. The organization laid the groundwork for future generations of activists by emphasizing the importance of community empowerment, intersectionality, and the inclusion of marginalized voices. Their activism provided a blueprint for engaging in direct action, grassroots organizing, and community-based solutions.

The Young Lords also demonstrated the power of cultural pride and self-determination. They reclaimed their Puerto Rican and Latinx heritage and incorporated it into their activism, fostering a sense of identity and resilience within their communities. This emphasis on cultural pride and self-empowerment has resonated with subsequent generations of activists.

Influence of the Young Lords Party Today

"Que Viva Puerto Rico Libre!"

Today, the influence of the Young Lords can be seen in various contemporary movements advocating for civil rights and social justice. Their strategies and tactics have been adopted and adapted by organizations working on issues such as racial justice, immigrant rights, healthcare equity, and police reform. The Young Lords' emphasis on community organizing, direct action, and addressing systemic injustices continues to shape and inform the work of activists today.

Ultimately, the Young Lords organization made a lasting impact on Puerto Rican and Latinx activism, as well as the broader fight for civil rights and social justice in the United States. Their successes, challenges, and eventual decline are part of their complex history, but their legacy lives on. The Young Lords paved the way for future generations of activists by highlighting the importance of community empowerment, intersectionality, and cultural pride. Their strategies and tactics continue to inspire and inform contemporary movements, ensuring their influence endures in the ongoing fight for a more just and equitable society.

WORKS CITED

Alan López 06.02.23. “50 Years Later, the Young Lords’ Legacy Remains in East Harlem.” Remezcla, August 6, 2019. https://remezcla.com/features/culture/young-lords-east-harlem-legacy/.

Cotter, Holland. “When the Young Lords Were Outlaws in New York.” The New York Times, July 23, 2015. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/24/arts/design/when-the-young-lords-strove-to-change-new-york.html.

Democracy Now! “The Young Lords: Exploring the Legacy of the Radical Puerto Rican Activist Group 50 Years Later.” Democracy Now!, July 24, 2019. https://www.democracynow.org/2019/7/24/young_lords_legacy.

Lee, Jennifer 8. “The Young Lords’ Legacy of Puerto Rican Activism.” The New York Times, August 24, 2009. https://archive.nytimes.com/cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/24/the-young-lords-legacy-of-puerto-rican-activism/.

Lefty, Lauren, and Lauren Lefty. “For the People’s Health: Lessons from the Young Lords for Today’s New York.” Museum of the City of New York, February 11, 2021. https://www.mcny.org/story/peoples-health-lessons-young-lords-todays-new-york.

Sierra, Neyda Martinez. “Past Is Present: The Young Lords Party Revisited.” The Latinx Project at NYU, June 6, 2023. https://www.latinxproject.nyu.edu/intervenxions/past-is-present-the-young-lords-party-revisited.

“Take Online Courses. Earn College Credit. Research Schools, Degrees & Careers.” Study.com | Take Online Courses. Earn College Credit. Research Schools, Degrees & Careers. Accessed June 9, 2023. https://study.com/academy/lesson/young-lords-origin-purpose-legacy-party.html.

“Young Lords.” Encyclopædia Britannica, June 4, 2023. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Young-Lords.

“The Young Lords.” Omeka RSS. Accessed June 9, 2023. https://digitalchicagohistory.org/exhibits/show/young-lords/young-lords-and-black-panthers.

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