the young lords

yo quiero que mi borinquen sea libre y soberana
yo quiero que mi borinquen sea libre y soberana
porque la estrella de mi bandera no cabe en la americana
porque la estrella de mi bandera no cabe en la americana

i want my puerto rico to be sovereign and free
i want my puerto rico to be sovereign and free
because the star of my flag doesn't fit on the u.s. one
because the star of my flag doesn't fit on the u.s. one

la estrella sola : andrés jiménez



ah, lovely! the puertoriqueños have some of the best anti-colonial music!!

**

this summer is 40 years since the creation of the new york chapter of the young lords party. founded by revolutionary nationalists in the puerto rican diaspora, the young lords were a street gang which became a political organization first in chicago, then in new york and elsewhere. they ignited a proud moment in the legacy of the continuing fight for puerto rican self-determination, and liberation for all oppressed people.

if you're in new york, find the anniversary gathering today, sunday @ first hispanic methodist church @ 111th st and lexington in el barrio (for more on this church, aka "the people's church" see the second clip below).

these are clips from el pueblo se levanta which were excerpted & collected in commemoration of the ylp 40th anniversary:











and these are from the 1970 young lords party 13 point program & platform

1. We want self-determination for Puerto Ricans--Liberation of the Island and inside the United States. Que Viva Puerto Rico Libre!
2. We want self-determination for all Latinos. Que Viva La Raza!
3. We want liberation of all third world people. No Puerto Rican Is Free Until All People Are Free!
4. We are revolutionary nationalists and oppose racism. Power To All Oppressed People!
5. We want community control of our institutions and land. Land Belongs To All The People!
6. We want a true education of our Creole culture and Spanish language.
7. We oppose capitalists and alliances with traitors. Venceremos!
8. We oppose the Amerikkkan military. U.S. Out Of Vietnam, Free Puerto Rico!
9. We want freedom for all political prisoners. Free All Political Prisoners!
10. We want equality for women. Down with machismo and male chauvanism. Forward, Sisters, In The Struggle!
11. We fight anti-communism with international unity. Viva Che!
12. We believe armed self-defense and armed struggle are the only means to liberation. Boricua Is Awake! All Pigs Beware!
13. We want a socialist society. Hasta La Victoria Siempre!

**

and to go out ... a little ray barretto. la sangre nuestra ... indestructible! / our blood ... indestructible!

indestructible : ray barretto



richie pérez ¡presente!
pedro pietri ¡presente!
pa'lante ¡siempre!