Puerto Rican Civil Rights in the 1960s

This short but meaningful mantra inspired the Latinos in The Young Lords Organization (Party) when responding to civil rights issues in the 1960s. Their quote translates to “I hold Puerto Rico in my heart” because Puerto Rican migrants were the ones which started this group. Although the Young Lords largely consisted of Puerto Ricans, the group attracted Black and other Latino people who were also tired of the discrimination. They fought throughout the country against racism and police brutality which plagued Puerto Rican communities. The Young Lords advocated for community survival by also fighting for equal health care, education, housing, and other resources not offered to Puerto Ricans. (Library of Congress, n.d.) Although this group is not often taught in school curriculum, it is imperative to teach students about how other groups dealt with civil rights issues.