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Zoot Suit Essay

1177 Words5 Pages

The crossing between fashion and media can have a powerful impact on the perception of subcultures and marginalized communities, as seen in the case of pachucos and their signature fashion statement with the zoot suit. In the book “Zoot Suit and Other Plays” by Luis Valdez, he explores the experiences and struggles of Mexican Americans and Chicano culture. With one of his plays surrounding the 1942 Sleepy Lagoon Murder case, we find out that the zoot suit was a way to express their cultural identity, also how the media created negative stereotypes about the Mexican American/Latin youth culture. But, it’s also vital to consider the extent to which measures such as “other reasons why they wear the zoot suit” or “what certain stereotypes the media …show more content…

“Our clothes are our armor, our shield against a hostile world. They say to the world, ‘This is who I am. I will not be silenced or erased.’”(Show and Prove) (Quintero). The zoot suit speaks beyond just it being clothing as Sofia Quintero says that it’s their shield against a hostile world. As each zoot suit worn by each different person, they all speak for different things that go towards the same cause. “The media can be a powerful force for change, but only if we hold them accountable and demand more responsible and equitable coverage of marginalized communities.” (Latino Rebels) (Varela). Opinionating over certain people can create hatred towards them, like the Mexican American/Chicanos as they experienced such hate. The role they take on and influence they have is very large and very convincing. The Zoot Suit Era was carried through by mostly media and opinions which led Chicanos struggling for rights. “It had a positive effect on ethnic consciousness among Americans of Mexican descent, and also for the recognition of separate MexicanAmerican identity, but no linguistic impact.” (The Mexican American Experience) (Opfer). Again, the zoot suit held the purpose to separate the identity of others to Mexican Americans. The identity was held through the style of the suits and expressed the confidence that these people had within themselves. Beyond the book, the suits and the media are both seen and huge parts towards the Zoot Suit

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Both the popular play and film “Zoot Suit” was written and directed by Luis Valdez. Luis Valdez regarded as the father of Chicano theater in the United States. He directed this film based on a story involving the real-life events of the Sleepy Lagoon murder trial and the Zoot Suit Riots, and it was debuted in 1981. Besides that, the movie could not be successful without the actors’ acting, such as Daniel Valdez, Edward James Olmos, and Tyne Daly. Through the film, I clearly feel the discrimination between Whites and Mexican Americans.

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What is amazing about this play is that it validates on political and historical events that the audience can have knowledge and a perspective of how people were treated. The play uses Chicano culture. A zoot suit is high waisted zoot suits. The characters in the play were mainly focused on Henry Reyna his family, George Shearer who is a Lawyer and Alice Bloomfield who is an active, a secretary of the defense committee and who Henry Reyna has a romance with. Zoot suit by Luis Valdez brings historical facts, such as the term Pachuco which is a reference to a Mexican

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People got beaten up to a pulp and sometimes had to go to the hospital. It was said that the Navy would beat Chicanos up and strip the naked then burn their clothes in the middle of street which too me is going to an extreme. The Zoot Suit was more of iconic fashion trend for Chicanos during 1943. Due to the Zoot Suit riots the Zoot Suit was pulled off of store shelves and were made illegal to wear in Los Angeles. In my opinion, if you have to ban a certain type of clothing because people are committing crimes with it then obviously your government isn’t doing something right and needs to be replaced immediately.

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As the war called for the help of Mexican-Americans in the workforce, especially women who were able to keep their culture and still accomplished the work asked of them. In a propaganda piece we see two arms, one holding a sombrero and the other one holding a red, white, and blue hat. The slogan stated, “Americans All: Let’s Fight for Victory” . The piece was meant to depict how people of Mexican descent and Americans could stand together to fight for a common cause. Despite what happened during the Zoot Suit Riots, it was time to come together and fight against the “real” enemy.

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The sailors specifically targeted male Mexican-American youths wearing zoot suits in their attack (Zoot-Suit Riot). Zoot suits were a fashion statement that were popular amongst the youth and were not only a representation of working-class style but also of racial difference. The typical masculine zoot suit “usually consisted of a long coat, billowing trousers that tapered at the ankle, a long watch chain that sometimes extended from the waist to the calves, a pair of thick-soled shoes, and in some instances, a broad-rimmed hat…” (Zoot Suit Riots). The sailors stripped the clothes off of those they attacked, and even sometimes cut their hair.

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