As I continue to conduct research and try to critically analyze them, I tend to fall into a leisurely reading mode, because what I am reading about interests me on multiple levels. What I am learning to do is begin to trim parts that I just find interesting and parts that can be used as research-worthy parts that will help reflect a particular image and side of Puerto Rican “Independence” in the U.S.
So, I think my argument is becoming something along the lines of:
The contribution of Organizations and Parties, like the Young Lords, have helped develop an intellectual culture of Independence among Puerto Ricans in New York. Even so, New York-Puerto Ricans have yet to put these ideals into practice to further develop and advance the Puerto Rican community.
Based upon the research that I have conducted and personal experience, I feel that this is an accurate picture of modern New York-Puerto Ricans, descendants of those influenced by Young Lords and other organizations of the like/time. The YLP and other organizations gave the NY-PR community the tools of Puerto Rican culture, history, and problems. The YLP and other organizations also gave them a framework around a shared set of views by which they believe Puerto Ricans on the U.S. mainland continue to be oppressed, such that these ideas continue to resonate amongst the Latino community today. As I understand it, it is not as much a matter of availability (while that is a significant part of the NY-PR struggle), but more so, it is the inability to apply the ideals, intellect, and will-power passed down from the 2 previous generations.
