What are your meanings of the Zoot Suit Riots?

Question

I have the basics, like the Mexican Americans and just Americans wore the Zoot suits, there was music involved...but what do you think?

Kismet- Your answer is great. Thank you so much!

Answer 1

The Zoot Suit riots began in Los Angeles, amidst a period of rising tensions between American servicemen stationed in southern California and Los Angeles' Chicano community. The discrimination against the Chicano minority community was compounded by regular drunken forays into their neighborhoods by white servicemen, which was often met with resistance by young Hispanic men and women. In July, 1942, a group of Hispanic youth fought back against police who attempted to break up a street corner gambling game. In October 1942, over 600 Chicano youth were arrested, and dozens charged in the killing of Jose Diaz in a supposed gang brawl at the Sleepy Lagoon reservoir. This led to a court trial whose convictions were later overturned. During the case, sensationalist press account inflamed hostility towards young Chicanos.
The following year, clashes between white servicemen and Hispanic youth increased. In May 1943, sailors claimed that "zoot suiters" stabbed a sailor, and they retaliated by beating young Hispanics leaving a local dance. On May 31st, 1943, a group of white sailors on leave clashed with a group of young Hispanics in the downtown area. One sailor, Joe Dacy Coleman, was badly injured. In response, fifty white sailors gathered and headed out to downtown and East Los Angeles, which was the center of the Hispanic community. They attacked young people, especially targeting males in "zoot suits." In many instances, the police intervened by arresting Hispanic youths for disturbing the peace. They left the sailors to the military justice system. The violence escalated over the ensuing days. Thousands of servicemen joined the attack and also began to target African Americans.Several hundred pachucos (as the young Hispanic men were known) and nine sailors were arrested as a result of the fighting that occurred over the next few days.

Answer 2

The Zoot suit riots were riots that erupted between Mexican youths and white sailors during WWII.