From June 3 to June 8, 1943, a series of conflicts took place in Los Angeles, California, which eventually came to be called "the Zoot Suit Riots." It was the culmination of cultural differences between Mexican Americans who lived in the Los Angeles area and service members stationed at the Chavez Ravine Naval Reserve Training School. It is important to note that during this period, these soldiers came from various regions of the country. Some of them never met a Spanish-speaking person before coming to California. On the other hand, the demographics of Chávez Ravine's residents are primarily of Mexican descent, with about a third of the population, approximately 1,400 people being born outside of the country. By the late 1930s, Los Angeles had the highest concentration of ethnic Mexicans outside of Mexico. This demographic character of the Chávez Ravine region can also be attributed to the Bracero Program, a bilateral agreement between the United States and Mexico, instituted due to the shortage of agricultural labor caused by the entry of the United States United in World War II. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get an original essayThe term “zoots” is etymologically described by the Oxford English Dictionary as a replication of the word suits. Aesthetically, “zoot suits” are high waisted, wide legs, tight cuffs, ankle-length pants and a long coat with wide lapels and broad padded shoulders. During the 1940s, Zoot suits were the fashion standard among African American communities. Its popularity later spread to other communities such as; Mexican-Americans, Italian-Americans, and Filipino-Americans. What started as a fashion trend later became a symbol of defiance on one side and hatred on the other. The design of zoot suits structurally requires a lot of fabric. During the 1940s, this style was later seen as excessive and indulgent, particularly when fabric was rationed for the war effort. The undisciplined and/or uncivilized behavior of the military was initially dismissed by local residents as a way of being patriotic and supporting the morale of the military during the war. It was initially about soldiers “blowing off steam”. The atmosphere changed when it became clear that race was becoming a part of the dynamic. Back when segregation was legally enforced, when lines of color and culture crossed, it caused unnecessary anxiety among adults, especially whites. Many Los Angeles news publications during this era often portrayed Mexican-Americans with inflammatory racist propaganda. A year before Zoot Suit Riot, the death of José Gallardo Díaz became the catalyst for the avalanche of what was to come. Despite insufficient evidence, the LAPD quickly arrested 17 young Mexican-Americans as suspects. In response to the alleged murder, the media was quick to denounce the zoot enthusiasts and call for action against them. Headlines like “Lifeguards can’t recognize swimmers in zoot suits” are an absolute example of what prejudice looks like. In a place like a beach, where people spend time relaxing and socializing, "warnings" about zootsuiters are nothing more than an incitement to paranoia. The emphasis was not on the safety of bathers, but rather on alarmist speech. According to Captain George Watkins, head of the Santa Monica lifeguards, "their swimsuits were no different from anyone else's,, 26(4), 219-225.