10 - Zoot Suit - Discussion 10 Assignment (Zoot Suit) PDF

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Discussion 10 Assignment (Zoot Suit)...

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Zoot Suit Discussion ●

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What general comments/questions do you have regarding the Zoot Suit/Pachuca/o Era? ○ It’s interesting because this reminded me a little bit of how the “flapper” style was a revolution in the 1920s. Why was this subculture so popular among Mexican Americans in the 1940’s? What are your thoughts about the music, the language and the style? ○ It’s interesting because this style of clothing was popular with Mexicans bout other ethnicity groups as well (Italian, Filipino, and African American) during the 1940s. This use of fashion was a way for these repressed young individuals to express themselves through fashion in ways that they might not otherwise have been able to. What does the Pachuco/a experience reveal about cultural assimilation in the 1940’s? ○ Specifically for the Pachuca, they were idealized as strong and gorgeous Mexican women either in a female zoot suit or an elaborate dress while out with their Pachuco boyfriend. I think that this was the exact opposite of cultural assimilation and was a direct rebelling against being “Americanized”. For white American women, it was expected that she would be obedient and her place would be in the home. Therefore, the pachuca naturally was the opposite and took pride in wearing the pants that were denied to white women of their time. It was important to show that their community fit into American culture without being any less than white subcultures. What does the Pachuca/o experience reveal to us about racial profiling? Criminalization? ○ Unfortunately, the pachuca/o culture was associated with gang membership especially after the Zoot Suit Riots in Los Angeles area in the 1940s. The zoot suit became an indication to others that this person was a “violent gangster” and a promiscuous playboy/girl that most certainly was up to no good. Racial profiling and harassment were common based on stereotypes alone. In what ways were Mexican American youth in the "Sleepy Lagoon Case" treated unfairly? ○ This case is basically the quintessential example of how the due process can be ignored and somehow individuals suffer consequences of unchecked power. Aside from racial profiling by the jury, not being able to change their clothes allowed further profiling against them based on the negative stereotype that their zoot suits insinuated. Even though the courtroom was small, they weren’t allowed to communicate with their attorneys or be supported in any way! Furthermore, testimony given by the “expert” continued to prey on racist fears of untrue Mexican stereotypes: biological predisposition, violent, and out of control. How did the reality of World War II affect how Mexican American youth were viewed/treated? ○ Mexican Americans fought and defended a country where they did not have equal rights, did not have equal opportunities, and many died proving their valor to a people who generally never knew or appreciated their sacrifice. To what extent are Mexican American youth "criminalized" in today's society? Are there

any Latino or other groups that have subcultures that have been targeted? Who would you consider to be the "Pachucas/os" of today? How are Latina/o youth viewed in society today? ○ I think that the “gangster” culture and imagery of “thugs” has been incorrectly associated and attributed to minority cultures since the creation of “whiteness” and races. What makes me sad is that the stereotype these are based around, “the brute”, was falsely created and disseminated as propaganda to scare white families into oppressing their peers. It makes me wonder: if those who support and embrace this thug/gangster culture truly knew their roots and that their support only continues to propagate these beliefs, would they change their way of life? Or would doing such a thing now be considered assimilating? ○ I think that minorities are increasingly blamed, criminalized, and stereotyped as the dominant white male feels more and more threatened. So much suffering stems from the fear and blaming of minorities for economic problems that either they had nothing to do with or the problem existed far before the immigration of that ethnic group increased....