Zoot suit

After the unfortunate death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014, the phrase “black lives matter” has become a rally cry for a new chapter in the black freedom struggle. Black lives matter because black people are persons. From slavery to the Civil Rights movement, black Americans sought to establish themselves as people. Even in the free nation we have today, prejudices and stereotypes exist. The death of Brown, is not just a killing due to being suspected of robbery, it speaks…

John F. Kennedy election and death, Civil rights and the Vietnam War. All had huge “rebel” undertones that the nation had strong feelings about. Advertisers, could have pushed a lot of different directions to distract the nation. I am just glad Zoot suits, love beads, and wild colors did not stick around, I do not think they would go with my…

population; racist policies and widespread discrimination set in. During, the previous century, Mexican youth began to form groups, often labeled as “gangs”. On the other hand, according to “Youth Gangs American Society” by Randall G. Shelden. The zoot suits led to “Watts riots” of 1965 young blacks were seen in more negative light by the media and by the rest of the society. Also, black youths began to see themselves differently. Then, during the late 1950s, some black youths( and a few whites)…

Soon After the attack on Pearl Harbor, FDR issued the Executive Order 906. This said that all Japanese people, whether citizens or not, in America were going to be relocated. This was to “protect” the japanese people of hateful Americans, when really it was because America was afraid the Japanese in the US would go against America and help Japan. As many as 110,000 people were relocated. They lost their homes, jobs, and businesses. By the end of the war, these camps were evacuated. In the…

Upon entering this virtual field trip, the first exhibit that I was very interested in was the Slavery and Freedom exhibition. The reason why, is because this is where the first roots of African-Americans were planted. This exhibition shows the story of slavery and freedom in the history of America. It begins in the 15th century, along Africa and Europe, coming all the way over to the United States. This exhibition ends with the civil war, and the reconstruction of a nation. I was very shocked…

Preceding the post World War period, undisguised discrimination against Mexican Americans had disseminated amongst the Southwest regions. Often classified as substandard to American society, individuals of Mexican ancestry were underrepresented as constituents in the board of jury. In Jackson County of Edna, Texas, for the last twenty-five years, any individual attached to distinctive indicators of Spanish heritage such as a Spanish surname were denied admittance into serving jury. Consequently,…

Swing music originated by musicians modifying forms of “jazz", so that by the 1930’s a new form of music emerged called “swing”. Swing is characterized by very large bands, fixed, usually written arrangements, and solos by individual musicians in turn. Swing bands typically used an upright or double bass instead of a tuba and played repeated riffs to give the music a propulsive rhythmic force. Swing combined harmonic sophistication with danceable rhythms and compelling individual…

Originally, and once called the New Negro Movement, the Harlem Renaissance was a rise in the African-American culture which embraced the theatrical, visual arts, music, and literary works of African-Americans. It took place from 1917 until 1932. In the midst of that time, the Harlem Renaissance was going on other important events in history were happening such as World War 1, which was from 1914 until 1918, the Great Migration which started in 1916, and the Great Depression which started in 1929…

We all have learned about Pearl Harbor and the discrimination against Japanese Americans throughout our many years in school. Although, it was not something I particularly thought about more in depth until today. It is heartbreaking to me that these innocent Japanese Americans were forced to live with the repercussions of something they could not even control. I guess I can slightly understand how many Americans were frightened by this whole Pearl Harbor situation that enabled their prejudice…

They have also acted films, for example, Zoot Suit, which has been aired in the whole of America. The Chicana popular culture has played a big role in creating awareness of the history of the Chicana people and has also helped the United States students to understand more about culture. Through their…