Zoot Suit Riots

2 Pages 486 Words

The Zoot Suit Riots

The 1943 Zoot Suit Riots were a type of war between the military and the “zoot suitors” which happened because of false accusations and fear. The newspapers and others used Mexicans (aka) “zoot suitors” as scapegoats for peoples’ concerns about Mexican Americans. The “zoot suitors” were beaten, murdered, and harassed just for trying to be different from the rest of society. Society was scared of change or of a different style than they were used to. Society and the military took action starting June 1,1943. (“Los Angeles Times,” June 2, 1943) During the next four nights, the riots took place in East Los Angeles, California.
War between “zoot suiters” and military men went on for four nights. They pounded on each other. Military men were the ones who started this war. Mexicans were punished for defending themselves. the Police did not do anything about the crimes being committed because the military men brainwashed the police into thinking that the military men were the victims. The military men said they were attacked and fought for self-defense. Sailors sent word to the “zoot suiters” (who thought that Uncle Sam’s fighting men were not just that). The sailors did the beating and the Mexicans did the time. (“New York Times,” June 14, 1943) 600 people were arrested with 175 having charges made against them. Every single person held on charges had a Spanish last name. The riots came to
Be called “The Zoot Suit Riots.”
Zoot suits had a lot of meaning for different people. “Zoot suits” were a European fashion that was adopted by many races. It was also adopted by gangsters as their “official uniform” or dress. The zoot suits were a way for people to look and feel different. Gangsters were tired of trying to look “trendy” like other people and Not just Mexicans wore this type of clothing - it was all races - blacks, whites, Asians, and all other...