Zoot Suit Riots
American servicemen and white Angelenos attacked and stripped children, teenagers, and youths who wore zoot suits, ostensibly because they considered the outfits, which were made from a lot of fabric, to be unpatriotic during World War II. Rationing of fabric and certain foods were required at the time for the war effort. The conflicts were rooted in racism against Mexicans and Mexican-Americans. While most of the violence was directed toward Mexican American youth, African American, Italian American, Filipino American youths who were wearing zoot suits were also attacked.
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