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Essay / The Zoot Suit Riots in the United States
Mexican Americans often wore a zoot suit consisting of high-waisted, wide-legged pants with tight cuffs and ankles, and a long coat with wide lapels and broad padded shoulders that displayed their culture. These zoot suits were often worn by young Mexican Americans and were attacked because of it. People of color were the target and it didn't matter their gender or age. The Zoot Suit Riots were a series of mob fights between American civilians and the United States armed forces against Mexican Americans, primarily young people. Zoot Suiters were often beaten, stripped naked, and then arrested by the LAPD who witnessed the beatings. They were even humiliated in front of their own people and we hunted them down as if they were animals. It started in downtown Los Angeles, which led to wanting to destroy Mexican American communities. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayFor example, Vicent Duarte was a 15-year-old who was shot in both legs during a theater riot Azusa on Thursday June 10. 1943. He was an innocent boy who did nothing wrong and was attacked because of the color of his skin. And then, of course, white Americans are the heroes of this situation. On Friday, June 4, the Taxi Caravan took more than 200 sailors and marines in search of Mexicans. And then, on the fifth day of the riot, 5,000 civilians came to Los Angeles to help beat up the Mexican Americans. These people knew where to find Mexican Americans and would shoot them for no reason, simply because of the color of their skin and the way they dressed. Mexican Americans were judged unfairly and almost lost their lives because of it. The reason I chose this topic is because in some way I felt connected to it and saw how it still happens in my community. Where people are judged based on the clothes they wear or the color of their skin. For example, when my father was arrested by ICE agents, simply because of the color of his skin, I was terrified of my own country. Another situation happened when my uncle was beaten by Americans because he looked like a gangster. This makes people afraid to even go out or walk on the street. And to me it's not fair because people should have the right to wear whatever they want and not be discriminated against for it. I'm a 19 year old Mexican-American girl who wants to wear whatever she wants. If I want to wear an Oaxaca dress with huaraches, that's what I'm going to wear. I want to express and show love towards my roots. Is there something wrong with this? I absolutely do not want to live in my country with fear. I was born in the United States and should be respected and put down with so much negativity. This topic is important to me, it opened my eyes to what my people have experienced and gives me the strength to fight for my rights. We all have a voice, many don't know how to use it and some are afraid. Another thing is that this topic of the Zoot Suit Riots gave me a reason to keep fighting and find ways to help my people. The majority of Mexican Americans are humiliated because of their color or race. I also think this topic is very important and should be taught more to students about the injustice towards Mexican Americans. I'm still angry that the Zoot Suit Riots ended with the following statement: ".