The "Zoot suit" riots were a series of riots that occurred in the city of Los Angeles, during World war 2. The majority of the Zoot suitors were from the Mexican American community that were living in Los Angeles. They wore long coats with matching pants that they called their "Zoot suits." Racial problems had already arisen as Japanese American communities, living on the west coast were deported to "relocation centers." Later the attention was brought upon the Zoot suitors. Local newspapers announced them as a "Mexican crime wave." In this essay I will discuss just what happened during the so called "Zoot Suit" riots, and what may have caused them to happen.

            To understand what the "Zoot Suit" riots were you have to understand what a "Zoot Suit" is. It was a suit that was common amongst many Hispanics all over Los Angeles. People that wore it, wore it with pride and loved to show it off. Not only did they wear their suits, they also had very distinguishable hair dues and hats as well. Despite others calling them "Zoot Suitors, they considered themselves "Pachucos" as they walked the streets of downtown Los Angeles.

            It was the year of 1943, a time when the United States was still involved with world war 2. Due to this many military personnel were located in many parts of Los Angeles. Just as Zoot Suitors wore their outfits many sailors wore their military uniforms. The sailors came from all parts of the United States, many had never been around Latinos or their culture. The sailors noticed the Zoot suitors and were not to pleased that they were not in the military and not wearing a military uniform, however at first no problem arose.

            One day on June 3, 1943 some sailors claimed to have been robbed and beaten by some Mexican "Pachucos." The following day this event an estimated 200 sailors got together and all got into different taxi cabs and went to East Los Angeles. They beat up and stripped the Zoot suitors or any Latinos they saw. The police did not seem to be bothered by this as there were no initial arrests of the sailors. Most of the sailors that were arrested were released almost immediately. This was not a once occurring experience, this happened for several nights. The sailors were joined by soldiers and even civilians as they went into the neighborhoods of young Latinos. Latinos were not the only ones to be assaulted blacks and Filipinos were also unfortunate and were beaten. More than 500 Latinos were charged with rioting. There was even a banning of "Zoot Suits," people who wore the suits were arrested.

            Since the United States was at war I think it caused them to be angry and attack the Latinos that were attacked. There might have been some frustration that sailors handled with their attacks. This may have occurred because the United States did not know who to trust. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor many Japanese Americans were relocated to relocation centers. Their property was confiscated and many of their businesses were lost. At the time racism was very high and as a result many incidents occurred such as the "Zoot Suit" riots. 

            On August 1, 1942 there was a murder at a reservoir in Los Angeles nicknamed the "sleepy lagoon." this reservoir was often visited by couples at night. On this night Hank Leyvas and Dora Barrios were at the sleepy lagoon when they were attacked by a group of boys from a rival neighborhood. Later hank returned to his neighborhood on 38^th street and returned with men from his gang. When they returned to the lagoon they noticed it was deserted, but heard sounds coming from a nearby party. Henry and his group of men visited the party were they got into a big fight. Soon after the fight was over a man was found stabbed and beaten. This man turned out to be Jose Diaz, a man who was just attending the party. Only hours later Diaz died in a hospital. As a result the Los Angeles police department rounded up nearly 600 young Mexican American Zoot suitors. Henry and 21 others were arrested as suspects for the murder of Jose Diaz. After the trial the jury agreed that Henry and the others from 38^th street were guilty. Henry was sentenced to life in San Quentin. Not too soon after the "Zoot Suit" riots occurred.

            As a result many "Zoot Suitors" were looked at in a negative way and were beaten by sailors as white civilians cheered them on. They were often stripped of their suits and left nearly naked on the streets for people to laugh at. The Los Angeles police department let the riots go on for about a week. Mexican       Americans were determined to protect their neighborhoods and set up traps for the sailors and then beat up the sailors. Within a following year, the end of the riot, Henry and the others that were imprisoned were released from jail. The court revealed that there had been some serious mistakes. There had been a lack of evidence and a biased judge.

            In conclusion the "Zoot Suit" riots proved to be very violent and controversial. As well was the murder of the sleepy lagoon, in which the murderer was never found. This was a period of time where there was much conflict. The United States was still in World War 2 and was still facing racism. Of all the people that felt the impact of racism I feel that Latinos felt it the most. The "Zoot Suit" riots were just one example. Even now there is still a problem with racism that affects people day after day.