The Zoot Suit Riots Cruise brings back ‘a forgotten era’

In June 1943, sailors attacked Mexican American youths. Throughout Los Angeles, those wearing zoot suits were beaten and stripped of their clothes. It became known as the Zoot Suit Riots.

Every year hundreds of cars cruise through L.A. to commemorate what happened.

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LET’S CONNECT:

[mtnride]

ALL history needs to be remembered, the good and the bad that is how we learn. Beautiful cars and people and a great story.

[ARHassan]

What a great piece this was by the LA Times! The cars were exquisite, the ladies were so lovely, and the gentlemen were well-dressed. What a day that must've been to highlight a moment in our nation's history. Events like these are memorable, but also demonstrates the level of resolve that's exhibited by the great-grandchildren and grand-children of the Chicanos who dealt with the blatant and flagrant assault on Chicano heritage and pride. You are the servants of the Creator, so never be ashamed of being Mexican heritage. Much of America's land and economic success comes from the migrants, immigrants, and descendants of Mexico. Our success has been made possible by folks like you. You belong here, and let it be known that you're here to stay.

[JayHarmony]

Never forgotten especially living in East L.A 💯

[rickuyeda]

The zoot suit consisted of a broad-shouldered drape jacket, balloon-leg trousers, and, sometimes, a flamboyant hat. Mexican and Mexican American youths who wore these outfits were called zoot-suiters. These individuals referred to themselves as pachucos, a name linked to the Mexican American generation’s rebellion against both the Mexican and American cultures. Pressures related to U.S. involvement in World War II contributed to the racial tensions that preceded the riots. Workers were needed in the agricultural and service sectors of the United States to fill the jobs vacated by those who were serving in the military. An agreement was reached with Mexico whereby temporary workers from Mexico were brought into the United States. This influx of Mexican workers was not particularly welcomed by white Americans.

As part of the war effort, by March 1942 the United States had begun rationing various resources. Restrictions on wool had a direct effect on the manufacture of wool suits and other clothing. There were regulations prohibiting the manufacturing of zoot suits, but a network of bootleg tailors continued to manufacture them. This exacerbated racial tensions, as Mexican American youths wearing the zoot suits were seen as un-American because they were deliberately ignoring the rationing regulations.

The riots began on June 3, 1943, after a group of sailors stated that they had been attacked by a group of Mexican American zoot-suiters. As a result, on June 4 a number of uniformed sailors chartered cabs and proceeded to the Mexican American community, seeking out the zoot-suiters. What occurred that evening and in the following days was a series of conflicts primarily between servicemen and zoot-suiters. Many zoot-suiters were beaten by servicemen and stripped of their zoot suits on the spot. The servicemen sometimes urinated on the zoot suits or burned them in the streets. One local paper printed an article describing how to “de-zoot” a zoot-suiter, including directions that the zoot suits should be burned. The servicemen were also portrayed in local news publications as heroes fighting against what was referred to as a Mexican crime wave. The worst of the rioting occurred on the night of June 7, when thousands of servicemen and citizens prowled the streets of downtown Los Angeles, attacking zoot-suiters as well as members of minority groups who were not wearing zoot suits.

[josephmartinez]

My parents, uncles and aunts lived it, R.I.P.

[misshelloareyouthere]

PROBLEM! Why didn't this story mention Zoot Suit was started in black community and Latino community pick up the zoot suit mantel and use zoot suit for political statement/culture style. We have to tell full story to white and Asian people not half the story.

[frankmartinez]

Black Zoot Suit, where beaten too(cartoon: called them Wolfs) 😮my mom would drive her 1938 Packard 180 series Sedan ❤later my dad had his 1955 Lincoln Capri H/T Coupe 😅

[Kamikazebat]

Should be known as the "Navy Riots."

[timmytube]

I keep Chicano and Chicana even though I'm not and from New York cool culture people & classic cars❤.

[jjohnson]

Strength comes knowing where you’re from and how far you’ve come

[gtyson]

Goes to show you how much in common us blacks and browns have. Whether it be music specifically oldies music and style of dress(zoot suits) African American culture has definitely influenced the Chicano culture. This is why today we need to unite and combine our forces, resources, and intellect for a better future together. For as long as anyone can remember blacks and browns have shared neighborhoods, schools etc. The race tensions between blacks and browns therefore make zero sense. I'm a proud father of two Blaxicans and I'll make sure they're proud of both of their roots. ✊🏿✊🏼

[jazminsanchez]

Sickening to know what those sailors did. Im a Navy Veteran and Proud Latina. We neeed to be Proud of Our Culture Alwqys! 🇲🇽❤

[ARHassan]

What happened in 1942 & 1943 to our fellow Chicanos during the Zoot Suit Riots was nothing more another disgraceful display of our country's ugly history of racism and prejudice towards our fellow Americans by a group of savages, barbarians, and criminals who were nothing more than a disservice to our country's armed forces at the height of WWII. The Zoot Suit riot history shouldn't ignored/forgotten. I am glad that this piece was featured in the LA Times. I love the Latinas showing the hair-styles of that era in this piece. Looks super-classy, elegant, and super-firme! Keep up the great representing your grandparents and great- grandparents and standing up for their struggles and sacrifices to help us all get to where we are today. For all of California's problems, California is still much of the envy of the rest of the country and around the world. Never sell out your rich tradition, culture, and heritage. Also, let us not forget Jose Gallaro Diaz, Enrique Leyvas, and all the other victims during this period of injustice and we hope God Almighty has provided their families and descendants relief over the decades. Hermanos, keep rocking those Zoot suits, and don't back down from the bigots and the haters. Hermanas, keep slaying those jealous cats who wish they were as beautiful as you all are here in this video. Dios te bendiga tambien!

[davidmoreno]

I remember my dad telling me about what happen there in San Diego. My dad served in the Navy, and we believe that the Chicano's were only being themselves and just trying to enjoy living in Southern California, but the whites didn't like it. I am a Chicano and I also served 20 years in the USAF but still sometimes they give me a hard time, but you know what I say to them you can never break my spirit. La Raza forever. I AM CHICANO FOREVER!

[jennimoore]

They have never ever ever forgotten that Era ever!!!

[duchy]

How fabulous!! So much to be proud of! ❤

[thepassionfruitdiariessuzi]

The hairstyles and cuts of clothing do represent the time period. I have pictures of my aunts in the 40s with these hairstyles in Europe. Very interesting, I’ll have to read more about it

[robertmartinez]

as I was taught from my parents who were from the state of Texas, El Paso (my mother) & San Antonio (my father) the pachuco's/ zoot suiter's originated in El Paso TX.

[w.w.restorations.vehicles]

From a studied W.W. 2 Historian's education and point of view, I must say that this part of history is definitely a big stain on the U.S Military at that time. I grew up in Glendale and have always appreciated the Mexican Culture. Having been a Hot-Rod builder and enthusiast then, I also appreciate(d) the style that was put into the cars of Their Culture as well. I am happy that I wasn't alive back then and I WAS NOT a part of the shameful atrocity that arose those five days and nights back in June of 1943.

[santiagomartinez]

My beautiful Raza, aqui estamos y no los vamos !!!! Si se puede, is what I heard when I was growing up in the central valley of Califas in Delano.