Zoot-Suit—Race+Relations

What is a zoot-suit?

"Zoot-suits" were a type of suit popular with many lower-class Mexican-Americans, African-Americans, and Italian-Americans from the 1920s–40's in America.

 The zoot-suit was a distinctive part of the "Pachuco" culture, and a way for the youth of minority groups to express their individuality and feelings of rebellion.

During the WWII war effort, massive internal movements of Mexican-Americans and workers toward urban areas with busy centres of wartime manufacture caused these different groups of society to rub each other the wrong way, resulting in friction between ethnic groups on the city streets. The pre-existing "Nativist" mindset was a big factor.

The 1943 Zoot-Suit Riots

In 1942, the WPB (War Production Board) tried to ration the use of wool and fabrics by limiting the manufacture of suits. They effectively prohibited the production of zoot-suits, and most companies complied by not advertising or making them. But the demand stayed high for these zoot-suits, and they rose as a bootleg/black-market product based in Los Angeles and New York. Because of this, the difference between Pachucos (Latin-Americans from immigrant backgrounds) and American servicemen (who were predominantly Caucasian) was immediately visible in their dress: people saw wearing the zoot-suit as a deliberate, public, and obnoxious way of ignoring the rationing/war effort = DIFFERENCES = TENSION = NOT GOOD.

In the summer of 1943 in Los Angeles, there were several incidents of mob beatings and fights between "zoot-suit"—clad Mexican-Americans and white sailors who were known to cruise throughout the city in taxicabs looking for victims. Mexican-American victims included innocent 12-13-year old boys who were stripped of their suits just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Although Mexican-Americans did fight back, they were clearly the victims in this incident.



Clear Racial Tensions

Although some military officials tried to reign in the attackers, they did it mostly just to maintain order within the ranks, not to help Mexican-Americans. They also received little aid from the police, newspapers, or white people in general —the riots definitely revealed clear racial and social tensions, but the main issue might have been over their differing attitudes to the war/patriotism.

> March 1, 1944 > > Parole Board > San Quentin > California > Gentlemen: > After a very careful examination if the records and facts of the trial, I am convinced that the boys in the Sleepy Lagoon case were not given a fair trial, and that their conviction could only have been influenced by anti-Mexican prejudice. I am convinced, also, that the causes leading up to this case, as well as its outcome are of great importance to the Mexican minority in this community. That is to say, the case has importance aside from the boys incriminated -- the whole community is undermined. Any attempt at good relations is impaired -- as is the importance of unity in the furtherance of the war effort. To allow an injustice like this to stand is to impede the progress of unity. > I have heard of the splendid record the boys have made in San Quentin -- each having made a fine showing for himself in behavior, cooperation, etc. > > Because this case is a very special one for the above reasons, I am of the opinion that it merits special attention on the part of the Board Members. Many people in the film colony have expressed great interest in it, and I feel I am speaking for them, too, in making this plea. > > Sincerely, > Orson Welles ||^  ||
 * ||  || [[image:http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/zoot/eng_subimages/spacer.gif width="15" height="1"]] ||
 * ^  || **Primary Sources: Letter from Orson Welles to California Parole Board**

> This was not a view commonly held by most of the masses. The local authorities, including the police, media outlets, and military officers, did not side with Mexican Americans.

For more information: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/zoot/eng_peopleevents/e_riots.html