Science Vs: The Time the Protesters Won Hosted by Wendy Zuckerman, Spotify Studios Release Date: September 26, 2024
Introduction: A David vs. Goliath Battle for Change
In the September 26, 2024 episode of Science Vs, Wendy Zuckerman delves into an inspiring yet tumultuous chapter of American activism—the takeover of Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx by the Young Lords in 1970. This detailed narrative explores how a marginalized community, feeling unheard and neglected, orchestrated a series of protests that ultimately led to significant changes in public health policy and infrastructure.
Setting the Stage: El Barrio's Struggles
Timestamp: [00:00–07:05]
The story begins in East Harlem, affectionately known as El Barrio, a neighborhood plagued by poverty, substandard housing, and rampant infestation. Residents, predominantly recent migrants from Puerto Rico, lived in cramped tenements with issues like lead poisoning from deteriorating paint and a severe garbage crisis due to NYC's failing sanitation services.
Notable Quotes:
- Cleo Silvers: "Roaches live with you." [04:30]
- Mickey Melendez: "We were so excited and we had been reading all this stuff about revolution..." [04:55]
Mickey Melendez, one of the Young Lords, recounts how his time in college ignited a passion for social justice, leading him and his peers to recognize the systemic neglect their community faced. This realization set the foundation for their eventual activism.
The Garbage Offensive: Mobilizing the Community
Timestamp: [07:05–11:11]
Frustrated by the continuous neglect, the Young Lords initiated the Garbage Offensive. They first attempted peaceful clean-ups, with residents affectionately calling them "muchachitos" (little kids). However, the persistent issue of uncollected garbage led to a more radical approach.
Notable Quotes:
- Sid Davidoff: "They're still putting their reports together. It's very sketchy." [00:41]
- Mickey Melendez: "We put the revolution aside... and we start cleaning up the garbage." [06:58]
Their strategic act of dumping and burning garbage in the streets forced the city's hand, resulting in a 24-hour garbage pickup and temporarily transforming El Barrio into a cleaner environment. This bold move garnered widespread attention and galvanized the community's support.
Expanding the Movement: Addressing Lead Poisoning
Timestamp: [11:11–17:43]
Building on their initial success, the Young Lords shifted focus to another critical issue: lead poisoning. With evidence showing that 30% of local children suffered from lead poisoning due to hazardous paint, the group undertook door-to-door campaigns to educate families and advocate for testing.
Notable Quotes:
- Cleo Silvers: "Children were dying from having access to lead." [12:34]
- Sid Davidoff: "The Young Lords' work got a ton of attention." [13:17]
Their efforts led to significant policy changes, including mandatory lead poisoning tests for children and increased awareness nationwide. The Young Lords also established community programs like free breakfasts for kids and medical clinics, further solidifying their role as public health crusaders.
The Lincoln Hospital Takeover: Confronting the Healthcare Crisis
Timestamp: [17:43–33:19]
Despite their successes, the Young Lords faced ongoing challenges, particularly with Lincoln Hospital—a facility notorious for inadequate care, long wait times, and deteriorating infrastructure. Determined to rectify these systemic failures, the group orchestrated a dramatic takeover of the hospital on July 14, 1970.
Notable Quotes:
- Cleo Silvers: "We have 360,000 people in the South Bronx and Lincoln Hospital cannot service those people." [23:37]
- Sid Davidoff: "This group were there to make a difference, and I respected that." [32:34]
The takeover involved around 100 members who took control of the hospital's administrative offices, replacing signage with "Welcome to the People's Hospital." Negotiations with city officials led to immediate improvements, such as the introduction of a new administration and plans for a new hospital. Within weeks, the city began land clearance for a replacement facility, marking a significant victory for the Young Lords.
Internal Struggles and the Decline of the Movement
Timestamp: [33:19–38:40]
Despite their accomplishments, internal tensions and external pressures began to erode the Young Lords' cohesion. The highly publicized attempt to take over the Puerto Rican Day Parade in 1971 ended in conflict with the police, leading to arrests and a loss of community support.
Notable Quotes:
- Cleo Silvers: "The people did not demand that they stop beating us." [35:53]
- Mickey Melendez: "This is huge, you know, this is big." [36:21]
The backlash from these actions highlighted fissures within the movement and the community's waning support. As the Young Lords refocused on their original goal of Puerto Rican independence, their community-driven initiatives dwindled, culminating in the group's dissolution by the mid-1970s, just as a new Lincoln Hospital was set to open.
Legacy: Enduring Impact on Public Health and Activism
Timestamp: [38:40-End]
Although the Young Lords disbanded, their legacy endures. Their advocacy for lead poisoning tests prompted nationwide policy changes, and their efforts to highlight healthcare disparities continue to inspire modern movements addressing systemic inequality.
Notable Quotes:
- Cleo Silvers: "We thought we could whip their ass and that is a wonderful thing to have that kind of courage and determination..." [37:47]
- Sid Davidoff: "In a lot of ways, the Young Lords pushed the envelope to get a new Lincoln Hospital." [33:13]
The episode concludes by acknowledging the profound influence of the Young Lords, reinforcing the notion that grassroots activism can lead to meaningful and lasting change, even against overwhelming odds.
Conclusion: Lessons from the Young Lords' Struggle
Science Vs's episode "The Time the Protesters Won" offers an in-depth exploration of how the Young Lords navigated systemic neglect and achieved tangible improvements in their community. Through strategic activism and unwavering determination, they demonstrated the power of collective action in driving social and political reform. Their story remains a testament to the enduring struggle for equity and justice in healthcare and beyond.
Production Credits: Produced by Wendy Zuckerman with contributions from Rose Rimler, Meryl Horn, Michelle Dang, and Lexi Krupp. Edited by Caitlin Kenney, with fact-checking by Diane Kelly. Sound design and music by Peter Leonard, Emma Munger, Bobby Lord, and Blue Dot Sessions. Archival materials sourced from the Pacifica Radio Archive and documentaries El Pueblo Selevanta and Palante Siempre Palante. Special thanks to Denise Oliver Velez, Dr. Darryl Wanza Serrano, Iris Morales, and others for their invaluable insights.