Essay On Zoot Suit

Words: 396
Pages: 2
Open Document
Zoot Suits were very popular but also very controversial. It was one of the early signs of race and equality, but also unfair treatment to people of color. The zoot suit was one part of the jazz world that visually defied the norms of segregation. Furthermore, unwritten rules demanded that people of color remain unseen and unheard in public spaces, but the zoot suit, with broad shoulders, narrow waist, and ballooned pants, was loud and bold. For one, the people that wore these did not know the consequences that they would have and how people with zoot suits were dealt with.
Next, the most common allegation about the zoot suit was that young men who were not old enough at the end of the Second World War to go to war wore it to attract attention to themselves at a time when men in uniform got most of the attention of young women. It was also alleged that members of teenage gangs wore zoot suits which explains why the service men went after them. However, as the sumptuary laws of the middle ages showed, banning clothing styles is a waste of time. The Zoot Suit Riots were fights between zoot suiters and sailors and marines in Los Angeles, California. Sailors and marines were constantly beating up Mexican American …show more content…
To say that zoot suits were the cite of all of this trouble says a lot to what race and skin color influenced how these civilians were unfairly treated most recently in are world today. Many people did not know the consequences that the zoot suits would hold and even though the servicemen were wrong the civilians and the rebels could have avoided this by stepping down. It was suppose to symbolize being free in clothing but many innocent people got beat to death and that was really wrong. This shows that even back then there was major racial equality and some seen it as a good thing when it was really seen as a big deal that no one spoke up
Show More

Related Documents: Essay On Zoot Suit

Zoot Suit Essay

continuous in everyday life events. Truly it is human nature to choose to live in denial, concerning undesirable occurrences affecting others, especially if one wishes to be accepted by society and avoid complications to one’s existence. As I read Zoot Suit I found myself growing an appreciation for Luis Valdez’s service in exposing to the world how corruption and discrimination are in fact a reality. In particular, certain scenarios from the play mirrored the real events that were occurring in different…

Words 649 - Pages 3

Essay On The Zoot Suit Riots

The Zoot Suit Riots were attacks in June 1943 in LA, California. These attacks started from two latino men having a disagreement, that led to the death of one man, Jose Diaz. He was beaten and stabbed, and his body left in the cold. This was a breaking point for the Mexican AMerican community, and the police around started breaking down on the latino youth. The police started beating any young latino that looked suspicious, or simply didn’t respect them. This caused kids to be rebellious which usually…

Words 413 - Pages 2

Malcolm X Reflection

been a black man. Never have I thought, “Man. It sure does suck being a straight, white man.” Therefore, being a Caucasian male of the middle class and living in rural America, I cannot relate; although, I do understand Malcolm X’s actions in this essay. Most people seem to rely on what others think of them. He wanted to eventually slick up and get a conk. He wanted to be a member of the higher class, which is neither awful nor new. No matter where a person is stationed in society, they will always…

Words 948 - Pages 4

How Does Malcomb Change Society

Although I’ve never been a black man, I understand Malcomb’s actions in this essay. Everybody seems to rely on what others think of them. Malcomb wanted to eventually slick up and get a conk. He wanted to be a part of the higher class. This is nothing awful or new. I believe that no matter where somebody is in society, they will always want more than they currently possess. Getting into drugs and whatever is never a great idea. Unless, you make some good money from it. Becoming the shoeshine…

Words 485 - Pages 2

Sculptor With A Brush Summary

In her essay, “Redefining the African–American Self, This mass migration was an important first step towards gaining control over ones identity and destiny. LaFalle-Collins writes, “… this black migration to in North was also symbolically transformative in that…

Words 1464 - Pages 6