Rooted in a Chicago-based street gang, the Young Lords grew into one of the most dynamic revolutionary community organizations of the late 1960s and early 70s.
In their field jackets and signature purple berets, using militant tactics like building takeovers and mass education, the Young Lords mobilized their community for liberation and against gentrification, poverty, racism, and police brutality. Forging a Rainbow Coalition with Fred Hampton and the Black Panther Party, the Young Lords expanded from their Chicago headquarters into the Puerto Rican and Latino barrios of New York City and elsewhere, demanding an end to the US occupation of Puerto Rico and self-determination for oppressed communities everywhere.
With a foreword by founder José "Cha Cha" Jiménez, written just before his passing, The Young Lords Speak tells the story of Chicago's Young Lords in their own words through articles, essays, interviews, and speeches.
Foreword by José "Cha-Cha" Jiménez
Cha Cha looks back on his life and what the YLO accomplished in its short
life
Introduction: Toward a Reparative History of the Young Lords and the origins
of the movement by Jacqueline Lazú
Re-centers the importance of Chicago in the narrative of the Young Lords
Organization
1. Symbols, Programs, and Structure of the YLO
This first chapter introduces the reader to the visual, political, and
organizational identity of the Young Lords Organization through original
documents and platform statements.
2. Y.L.O., Pitirre, El Young Lord: Latin Liberation News Service:
This chapter covers the YLOs revolutionary community news service through
original newspaper articles, journalism, and political analysis.
3. YLO Speaks
This chapter makes available original speeches from Young Lords organizers
4. Community Actions and Programs
The Young Lords organized many campaigns and social programs in the
community. This chapter provides the reader with original documents,
articles, handbills, and ephemera related to their numerous campaigns.
5. The Art of Protest: Culture and Artivism
Art and culture were vital components of the YLOs organization. This chapter
covers the many facets of that work.
6. Mapping the Movement
This chapter provides a visual map of important locations of YLO activities
7. Alliances and Coalitions
This chapter provides a retrospective of the YLOs work in the Rainbow
Coalition. Includes an essay from Black Panther Party leader Elaine Brown.
8. Counterintelligence, Infiltration and Indictment
This chapter documents the YLOs response to state repression.
9. A New Era
This short chapter makes relevant the work and lessons of the YLO to a new
generation of activists and organizers, inspired by the YLO.
Jacqueline Lazú is a professor of Spanish and Latin American studies at DePaul University and the author of numerous scholarly articles on the Young Lords in Chicago.
José Cha Cha Jiménez (19482025) was one of the founders and leaders of the Young Lords in Chicago. As an infant, he moved with his family from Puerto Rico to a migrant work camp near Boston before settling in Chicagos Lincoln Park neighborhood. State repression, along with the police murders of Black Panther leaders, forced Cha Cha underground. He eventually returned to Chicago to continue his political and organizing work.
