Zoot Suit Riots

Alma Sanchez
Paul Lopez
Humanities, p.4/5, HTH,
San Diego CA
May 22, 2008


Imagine hanging out with your friends, having a goodtime when all of a sudden 5,000 officers, sailors, and civilians start attacking you and the people around you. Not because of who you are, but because what you’re wearing. That is what happened to young Mexicans and African Americans in Los Angeles during the Zoot Suit Riots of the 1940s. During these years the stereotype of Mexicans being know as violent and trouble makers, became stronger due to how the media was portraying them. Back then and even now Mexican American people were/are seen as dirty and sloppy; therefore they wanted to find a different identity and started wearing what they call “Zoot Suits,” but it instead many believed they perpetuated the stereotype of being gangsters, thugs, and violent.


The zoot suits became popular during the 1930s. The term zoot suit came from a mispronunciation as a result from Mexicans pronouncing the word “suit” with a “z” rather than an “s”. Zoot Suiters were young, hip, Mexican teens sharp dressed in long-tailed coats, wide brim hats, baggy pants, long chains hanging from their waists and high boots, this attire is known as a "zoot-suit". This attire was mostly worn by Mexicans and African American that wanted to earn the respect they “deserved”.


The Zoot Suit Riots were supposedly led by what they called juvenile delinquents, in other words “Zoot Suiters”. It occurred during the 1940s while World War II was going on. During that time all Zoot Suiters wanted was to earn respect. They would always roll by sailors expecting respect, but sailors just insulted them. Sailors would look for fine Chicanas just to have sex with them and leave them after; they were used for pleasure just because sailors complained about their wives. The riots started because one of the Zoot Suiters was caught dating one of the sailor’s girlfriend. Sailors then came down to LA with weapons and basically a whole army to hurt all Zoot Suiters. Of course Zoot Suiters didn’t back down from the riots so they brought their own weapons and their own people to fight back. But sailors weren’t satisfied with just a fight, so they organized a retaliatory strike against the Zoot Suiters.


Mexicans, African American, Sailors, Caucasians, and even the media were involved in this event. According to the media the sailors were the victims, but in reality they were the ones who started these riots. Sailors went into the “barrios,” or Latino communities, to beat up all Mexicans and invade their territory.


The media contributed to the stereotype of Mexicans and Zoot Suiters being lazy, dirty, thugs, & violent. The media made it worse for Zoot Suiters and reinforced a stronger stereotype. Zoot Suiters were seen as these crazy people who liked to start problems; on the other hand sailors were seen as innocent people. It was all a lie that the media created and because of it many people were against Zoot Suiters and Mexicans. At that time it was no longer only sailors, but it was also soldiers, marines, and civilians who were against all Mexicans. It became a stronger issue due to how the media portrayed Mexicans. They were being attacked on the streets not only for being Zoot Suiters but because they were Mexicans. While these riots were going on World War II was happening as well. All media cared about was to make Mexicans look bad instead of focusing on a major issues.


In conclusion the stereotype of Mexicans being thugs & violent is still out in our society especially after the Zoot Suit Riots. This could’ve been prevented if the media would’ve been truthful about what had really happened instead of making up a new story. “More Mexican Americans died in the Zoot Suit Riots than all who served in WW II.”