Uh, actually, RoxyFemme84 is right. The zoot suit riot in California had absolutely nothing to do with supposed patriotism; it was completely about racial discrimination. I'm glad, also, that someone else caught on that Zoot Suit Riot actually references that unfortunate incident.
Zoot Suit style started before WW2 coming out of the prohibition Era. Yes, LA Zoot Suit Riot was a race riot: But it was a racially charged situation in the country and the world. ie: 'Japping' was to sneak up on someone instead of a 'fair' gang fight. Think 'West Side Story' or even MJ's 'Beat It'. My Uncle who was Mexican played in a band in CO. They wore Zoot Suits to replicate what was going on in Chicago 'Gangstas' style in the 'Speak Easy night clubs'. This was early to mid 30's.
Zoot Suit style started before WW2 coming out of the prohibition Era. Yes, LA Zoot Suit Riot was a race riot: But it was a racially charged situation in the country and the world. ie: 'Japping' was to sneak up on someone instead of a 'fair' gang fight. Think 'West Side Story' or even MJ's 'Beat It'. My Uncle who was Mexican played in a band in CO. They wore Zoot Suits to replicate what was going on in Chicago 'Gangstas' style in the 'Speak Easy night clubs'. This was early to mid 30's.
I agree that it was definitely racial discrimination at the heart of the Zoot Suit Riots, but it would be inaccurate to say it had nothing to do with patriotism. The reason that the zoot suits were made illegal and the white servicemen were so upset with those that wore them was because this was during the era when there were shortages of practically everything in the country and everything was going to help the servicemen defending it. Everyone was called upon to do their duty and do whatever they personally could to help the war effort, mostly...
I agree that it was definitely racial discrimination at the heart of the Zoot Suit Riots, but it would be inaccurate to say it had nothing to do with patriotism. The reason that the zoot suits were made illegal and the white servicemen were so upset with those that wore them was because this was during the era when there were shortages of practically everything in the country and everything was going to help the servicemen defending it. Everyone was called upon to do their duty and do whatever they personally could to help the war effort, mostly by not wasting anything. The Zoot Suits were made illegal because they used about twice as much material as a normal suit in a time when there was a shortage of material. Many of the youth, because it was part of their new culture to wear them, ignored the law and got their suits illegally. Thus, just wearing a zoot suit during this time was considered unpatriotic and uncaring about the plight of the country. This was a large part of what sparked the riots, thus why they were called the Zoot Suit Riots. All the stuff about only the hispanic youth getting arrested for fighting back and the newspapers praising the sailor's activities is unfortunately true though.
Uh, actually, RoxyFemme84 is right. The zoot suit riot in California had absolutely nothing to do with supposed patriotism; it was completely about racial discrimination. I'm glad, also, that someone else caught on that Zoot Suit Riot actually references that unfortunate incident.
Zoot Suit style started before WW2 coming out of the prohibition Era. Yes, LA Zoot Suit Riot was a race riot: But it was a racially charged situation in the country and the world. ie: 'Japping' was to sneak up on someone instead of a 'fair' gang fight. Think 'West Side Story' or even MJ's 'Beat It'. My Uncle who was Mexican played in a band in CO. They wore Zoot Suits to replicate what was going on in Chicago 'Gangstas' style in the 'Speak Easy night clubs'. This was early to mid 30's.
Zoot Suit style started before WW2 coming out of the prohibition Era. Yes, LA Zoot Suit Riot was a race riot: But it was a racially charged situation in the country and the world. ie: 'Japping' was to sneak up on someone instead of a 'fair' gang fight. Think 'West Side Story' or even MJ's 'Beat It'. My Uncle who was Mexican played in a band in CO. They wore Zoot Suits to replicate what was going on in Chicago 'Gangstas' style in the 'Speak Easy night clubs'. This was early to mid 30's.
I agree that it was definitely racial discrimination at the heart of the Zoot Suit Riots, but it would be inaccurate to say it had nothing to do with patriotism. The reason that the zoot suits were made illegal and the white servicemen were so upset with those that wore them was because this was during the era when there were shortages of practically everything in the country and everything was going to help the servicemen defending it. Everyone was called upon to do their duty and do whatever they personally could to help the war effort, mostly...
I agree that it was definitely racial discrimination at the heart of the Zoot Suit Riots, but it would be inaccurate to say it had nothing to do with patriotism. The reason that the zoot suits were made illegal and the white servicemen were so upset with those that wore them was because this was during the era when there were shortages of practically everything in the country and everything was going to help the servicemen defending it. Everyone was called upon to do their duty and do whatever they personally could to help the war effort, mostly by not wasting anything. The Zoot Suits were made illegal because they used about twice as much material as a normal suit in a time when there was a shortage of material. Many of the youth, because it was part of their new culture to wear them, ignored the law and got their suits illegally. Thus, just wearing a zoot suit during this time was considered unpatriotic and uncaring about the plight of the country. This was a large part of what sparked the riots, thus why they were called the Zoot Suit Riots. All the stuff about only the hispanic youth getting arrested for fighting back and the newspapers praising the sailor's activities is unfortunately true though.