Museum of Resistance and Resilience

What Did These Suits Symbolize?

Although this is considered the first riot over fashion, it was not the actual garments that caused racial tensions, it was what they represented. These suits were a sign of disobedience, an open rejection of the moral codes created and upheld by affluent, middle-class, white Americans. The flamboyant style of the suit made it impossible for others not to notice, acting as a hyper-visible reminder to both society and the LAPD that despite efforts to suffocate Mexican pride, these youths continued to be committed to expressing their identity and occupying space meaningfully on their own terms; none of these suits had any cultural elements that would be considered Mexican, rather it was the act of demanding to be seen and refusing to conform that was viewed as “un-American”, as a threat (O’Shaughnessy, 2017). They protested every day through resistance, through clothing that symbolized a rejection of cultural behavioral norms, daring to be different, and persevering through the consequences. Despite efforts to stifle Latino and African American communities during this time, pachuco culture still thrives today and men continue to wear zoot suits to boldly celebrate their pride in paving their own identity (Great Big Story, 2018).

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