Presented by Andrea Anderson and John Bowles

Thesis and Historiography Thesis: Overarching theme: Cultural Identities Pachucos/ Zoot Suiters---Resist Members of MAM---Merge Historiography: Sanchez closes the historiographical gap.

Discrimination Racial Prejudice  Primary sources Letter written by Barela to Guerin Zoot Suit Riots—Beatings (such as Pedro Garcia)=riots in June Sleepy Lagoon Case—The trial of 17 Mexican youths on August 2, 1942  (Jose Diaz) Dual Identity vs. Counterculture

Identity Identity formed through: 1) Family—Pass on their Mexican Culture 2) School—50% of kids dropped out of school 3) Work—Kids worked to help support their families 2 opposing Identities examined 1) Pachucos 2) Members of MAM

Mexican American Youth Cultural Empowerment and Resistance : 1) Political Organizations: MAM 2) Newspapers: The Mexican Voice 3) Creation of cultural icons: Zoot Suits

Zoot Suits “Pachucos”  Counterculture Wages on Zoot Suits. Zoot Suits symbol.

Political Organizations MAM, LULAC MAM  Mexican American Youths

MAM Promoted Education 1) First, to gain influence in the community. 2) Second, to gain respect. 3) Third, to gain socioeconomic mobility.

Newspaper The Mexican Voice Role Models of Mexican American youths

Question? In what ways did the Mexican American adolescents succeed as leaders in the community? How did the second generation of Mexican Americans fail in gaining equality among Anglo Americans?