Mexicans And Mexican American Youth - 2035 Words

Throughout our history as a nation, we have earned a reputation of undermining the relationships we have had with minorities and of largely neglecting their needs. Our almost hostile nature towards minorities in the United States can largely be seen in the treatment of Mexicans and Mexican American citizens in the times surrounding World War Two. Such hostilities are reflected in our treatment of Mexican Americans in the late 19th after the Civil War and early 20th centuries, the Sleepy Lagoon murder responses, and the Zoot Suit riots. My primary source reveals a feeling of inferiority in the United States by the Mexican American youth due discrimination that they faced, which can be better understood by analyzing the cultural contexts. As railroads expanded during the United States western expansionist period in the late 19th century, Mexican immigration along with Eastern migration grew in the west. Once the Mexican immigrants arrived, they largely occupied commercial agriculture i n large farms, mining industries, and the construction of railroads, but were generally paid very little. During this time, as Arizona State History Professor Manuel P. Servà ­n explained, the Mexican Americans that had been here for years had already begun to feel despised by the Western Expansionists, and were looked at as less American and an unassimilable foreigner. The lower class Mexican immigrants and citizens largely assimilated on rail road cities, or Sonora towns, such as Los Angeles, ElShow MoreRelatedThe Zoot Suit Riots: The struggle of Mexican American youths2076 Words   |  9 Pagesbut also serves as the home for many diverse populations: one of them being the Mexican Americans. Since their arrival, the Mexican Americans has been the target of racism from the white men in the United States. Mexican Repatriation resulted in the voluntary or involuntary migration of Mexicans during 1929-1937, in which 400-500,000 Mexicans left the United States and Mexican Americans w ere forced to become American through Americanization. These events led to the accumulation of tension betweenRead MoreThe Power Of The Zoot By Luis Alvarez1293 Words   |  6 Pagesmultiple meanings of the immensely popular zoot suit culture during world war two (Alvarez, p. 2). The youth were extremely influenced by the zoot suit. The zoot suit gave minorities a sense of belonging. Throughout this book, the author discusses race, gender roles, generation differences, dignity, and national belonging/violence during world war two. Part one of this book â€Å"Dignity Denied: Youth in the Early War Years†, discusses the political and economic context of the United States in the earlyRead MoreThe Chicano Movement Of The United States987 Words   |  4 PagesDuring the late sixties and early seventies, a Mexican - American movement was taking place in the United States, The Chicano movement. This movement takes place because of the Mexican American society s suppression in the country. Indeed, during the years, 1966 to 1981 was a period where the Mexican American society was looking for equality and justice from the Government of the United States. In fact, they will start to organize their own communities, where the Government will accept their newRead MoreMexican Americans During The World War II1528 Words   |  7 PagesScores of Latino men went off to war by the hundreds of thousands fighting in every major battle in both the European and Pacific theatres. More Mexican Americans serving in combat divi sions than any other ethnic group and a high percentage volunteered for the more hazardous duties such as the paratroopers and Marines (Meier Ribera). Mexican Americans that served gained a recognition that was not possible in civilian life, and through the military, promotion was based off of individual merit. ThisRead MoreZoot Suits Riot Film1107 Words   |  5 Pagesyoung Latinos. They strived for the same freedom enjoyed by whites, but were treated as poorly as African Americans of the era. In effect, they tried to disassociate themselves from this faction. Young Latino men referred to themselves as pachucos and sported oversize suits known as zoot suits. In the film Zoot Suit Riots, Joseph Tovares remarkably portrayed the difficult lives of Mexican Americans in the 1940s. Zoot Suit Riots is a powerful film that explores the complicated racial tensions, as wellRead MoreAnalysis Of Quixote s Soldiers By Cesar Chavez Essay1357 Words   |  6 PagesSoldiers is a group of Mexican- American men and women in protest formation. They carry with them signs that say â€Å"Justice for La Raza,† â€Å"Ando sangrando igual que tu,† and â€Å"Cops out of our communities!† David Montejano argues that Mexican- American reform groups are often left out of the Civil Rights Movement taught in a classroom. San Antonio was the birthplace of the Chicano movement. Here, various organizations were formed to encourage the government to increase Mexican- Americans opportunities in theRead MoreRacism During The Middle East1151 Words   |  5 Pagesto racism; first, the Native Americans were driven away from their homes. After that, Afri cans were forced into slavery and still face racism today. While not to the same degree, one cannot deny that the racism against African Americans and other minorities is still prevalent today. There are three groups specifically who are facing an extreme amount of racism today. African Americans are looked down upon as inferior by some whites and are treated unequally. Mexicans are also suffering through racismRead MoreThe Lapd And Their Tie Ins With The Mexican Population903 Words   |  4 Pages The history of minorities being targeted dates back to the LAPD and their tie ins with the Mexican population. Back in those days law enforcement officers were convinced that Latinos were capable of committing crime more often than your average white citizen. They held a position on the increase of criminal activity that was reasoned as being the effect of the increase in the Mexican population. Since they are more criminally inclined and more of them have been moving into the area their logicRead MoreAnalysis of Zoot Suit Essay1141 Words   |  5 PagesThe book Zoot Suit has symbolic significance for Mexican Americans and tells about the riots during World War II. The Sleepy Lagoon Murder was one step in the fight for the rights and respect of Mexican Americans. This riot involved young servicemen and civilians who clashed in the streets of the city with young Mexican Americans who wore the noticeable quot;Zoot Suit.quot; At their height, the riots involved several thousand men and women. In the end no one was killed and only a few wereRead More Drugs and Alcohol in the Adolescent Years Essay1547 Words   |  7 Pageson drug use in young children. Focusing on border life on the American-Mexico border and mainly alcohol consumption among Mexican American woman, the results are very interesting. A recent survey was done on the alcohol consumption of white women and Mexican women along the U.S. Mexican border. It was found that very little data exists on alcohol consumption among women in different groups of the U.S. population. Mexican Americans combine the second largest racial or ethnic minority in the U.S