Racism Against Mexican Americans

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When people hear the word, “racism”, they often think of slavery in the south or recent shootings across America. The United States often forgets that racism is not always directed toward just African-Americans. However, a form of racism toward those of Hispanic descent has become a normal part of American culture. This year, citizens elected a new president, Mr. Donald Trump, who used this racism for his own benefit. He used angry ideals and people to grow hs following. The accusations he made against Mexican-Americans are those that have crept into daily lives and conversations. The racism that affects Mexican-Americans is not something new as it traces back to some of the nation’s biggest moments.Yet, it has not been addressed as publicly …show more content…
Mexican-Americans were drafted into or volunteered for the U.S. armed services, where they had the highest percentage of Congressional Medal of Honor winners of any minority in the United States (Mexican Americans and World War II 1). As more men went off to fight in the war, migrants continued to find their way into the United States. Many jobs were open, giving Mexican men and women new opportunities. These opportunities were primarily in agriculture, but many were brought in to work on railroads. With more Latinos moving into country, mainly in Southwestern states, tensions rose in urban areas. One of the most serious incidents of racism happened during World War II in the Zoot-Suit Riots of Los Angeles. The incident received its name from the type of clothing, known as a “zoot suit,” worn by Mexican Americans of the early 1940s. With broad shoulders and billowy pants, the confidence one had in these suits was almost annoying to those around them. These suits are often associated with gangsters and crime. To Americans across the country, these young zoot suiters were seen “as cultural rebels and delinquents who openly defied cherished American values and customs” (Zoot Suit Riots of 1943 1). In the summer of 1943, a dispute between a Mexican American and a white man erupted into rioting. Days of violence in the streets of Los Angeles all because of a racist stereotype toward Mexican women. Projectiles were thrown, makeshift weapons were made, and neighborhoods were stormed looking for vengeance. Police did not want to step in considering most of the cops had fought in a war before and did not want to mess with kids who were serving their country. It was later determined that these acts were not an act of racism. Even as Mexican American Men fought for America’s freedom, the divide between two cultures was bigger than the war going on
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