Reflection Post- Pa'lante, Siempre Pa'lante

I found this film really interesting and moving. I was very impressed by the efforts of such young people. I have lived in New York City my entire life and never knew about the Young Lords and the Puerto Rican Movement that took place relatively close to my own home. I'll be honest, I was a bit embarrassed that I never knew about the movement beforehand.
The film made me think about youth in the U.S. today and how different we are compared to the previous generation. It seems that youth back then had so much more energy and were willing to do anything to create change. I was amazed at all the things they were able to accomplish such as the free breakfast program for children, Emeterio Betances free health clinic, community testing for tuberculosis, lead poisoning testing, free clothing drives, cultural events and Puerto Rican history classes. It really made me want to get up and do something, be a part of something so empowering and revolutionary. I feel that much of our generation is so consumed by technology and other materialistic things that we are completely unaware of what goes on around us.
I found the destruction of the Young Lords by the FBI appalling. I was also disgusted by the police brutality. It upsets me to think that the issues that the Young Lords fought against then are still prevalent today and many of us know little about or choose to ignore them.