Zoot Suit Riots

Nonfiction, History, Reference, Americas, United States, 20th Century
Cover of the book Zoot Suit Riots by Roger Bruns, ABC-CLIO
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Roger Bruns ISBN: 9780313398797
Publisher: ABC-CLIO Publication: February 28, 2014
Imprint: Greenwood Language: English
Author: Roger Bruns
ISBN: 9780313398797
Publisher: ABC-CLIO
Publication: February 28, 2014
Imprint: Greenwood
Language: English

Although the "zoot suit" had earlier been a black youth fashion trend identified with jazz culture, by the 1940s, the zoot suit was adopted by Mexican American teenagers in wartime Los Angeles, who wore it as their unofficial "uniform" as an act of rebellion and to establish their cultural identity. For a week in June of 1943, the Zoot Suit Riots, instigated by Anglo-American servicemen and condoned by the Los Angeles police, terrorized the Mexican American community. The events were an ugly testament to the climate of racial tension and resentment in Los Angeles—and after similar riots began across the nation, it became apparent how endemic the problem was. This book traces these important historic events and their subsequent cultural and political influences on the Mexican American experience, especially the activist and reform efforts designed to prevent similar future injustices.

General readers will gain an understanding of the challenges facing the Mexican American community in wartime Los Angeles, grasp the racial and cultural resistance of the larger Anglo-American society of the time, and see how the blatant injustices of the Sleepy Lagoon trial and the Zoot Suit Riots served to galvanize Latinos and others to fight back. Those conducting in-depth research will appreciate having access to original materials sourced from Federal and state archives as well as newspapers and other repositories of information provided in the book.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Although the "zoot suit" had earlier been a black youth fashion trend identified with jazz culture, by the 1940s, the zoot suit was adopted by Mexican American teenagers in wartime Los Angeles, who wore it as their unofficial "uniform" as an act of rebellion and to establish their cultural identity. For a week in June of 1943, the Zoot Suit Riots, instigated by Anglo-American servicemen and condoned by the Los Angeles police, terrorized the Mexican American community. The events were an ugly testament to the climate of racial tension and resentment in Los Angeles—and after similar riots began across the nation, it became apparent how endemic the problem was. This book traces these important historic events and their subsequent cultural and political influences on the Mexican American experience, especially the activist and reform efforts designed to prevent similar future injustices.

General readers will gain an understanding of the challenges facing the Mexican American community in wartime Los Angeles, grasp the racial and cultural resistance of the larger Anglo-American society of the time, and see how the blatant injustices of the Sleepy Lagoon trial and the Zoot Suit Riots served to galvanize Latinos and others to fight back. Those conducting in-depth research will appreciate having access to original materials sourced from Federal and state archives as well as newspapers and other repositories of information provided in the book.

More books from ABC-CLIO

Cover of the book Crash Course in Marketing for Libraries by Roger Bruns
Cover of the book Guns in American Society: An Encyclopedia of History, Politics, Culture, and the Law [3 volumes] by Roger Bruns
Cover of the book Federalism: A Reference Guide to the United States Constitution by Roger Bruns
Cover of the book Managing Volunteers: How to Maximize Your Most Valuable Resource by Roger Bruns
Cover of the book The BIG Book of Glues, Brews, and Goos: 500+ Kid-Tested Recipes and Formulas For Hands-On Learning by Roger Bruns
Cover of the book Women, Work, and Family: How Companies Thrive with a 21st-Century Multicultural Workforce by Roger Bruns
Cover of the book The Victorian World: A Historical Exploration of Literature by Roger Bruns
Cover of the book The Euthanasia/Assisted-Suicide Debate by Roger Bruns
Cover of the book Grading the 44th President: A report card on Barack Obama's First Term as a Progressive Leader by Roger Bruns
Cover of the book Female Genital Cutting in Industrialized Countries: Mutilation or Cultural Tradition? by Roger Bruns
Cover of the book The Post-Heroic Presidency: Leveraged Leadership in an Age of Limits, 2nd Edition by Roger Bruns
Cover of the book Church and State: Documents Decoded by Roger Bruns
Cover of the book On Behalf of the President: Presidential Spouses and White House Communications Strategy Today by Roger Bruns
Cover of the book Tapping the Wisdom That Surrounds You: Mentorship and Women by Roger Bruns
Cover of the book World War II Propaganda: Analyzing the Art of Persuasion during Wartime by Roger Bruns
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy