Introduction
The United States is a multicultural country, with representatives of different cultures moving to its territory throughout its history. However, multiculturalism often comes with conflict, giving rise to social and political movements. Thus, the Chicano movement was the civil rights movement that aimed to support and empower Latin American communities within the United States (Kratz, 2021). The Chicano movement has substantially impacted the community and is well represented in its culture, including theatre. This post examines how Luis Valdez’s play Zoot Suit depicts the discrimination against Chicanos in 20th-century America.
How Zoot Suit Depicts the Defendants as Being Treated Unjustly
Zoot Suit is a ground-breaking Chicano play that aimed to strengthen the collective cultural identity of Mexican Americans. The play highlights the unfair and biased treatment many members of the Latin American community faced in the country. In the play, the protagonist, Henry Reyna, the leader of the Chicago 38th Street Gang, and his friends are facing jail because they are accused of causing a young man’s death in a fight (Valdez, 1979). The defendants, as young men of Mexican origin, are discriminated against during their experience with the criminal justice system.
Valdez (1979) shows the bias against the group by describing their clothing choices or the eponymous zoot suit. Thus, in Act 1, Scene 1, when the main characters are introduced, the outfit is illustrated from a positive point of view and as a tool that helps the community members identify with each other (Valdez, 1979). Meanwhile, when described by other non-Mexican characters, the outfit is denigrated and viewed as something respected members of society should not wear (Valdez, 1979). Thus, the attitude towards the Latin American community is reflected in the attitude towards the clothing.
Furthermore, the central trial of the play shows that different standards are used to judge Mexican Americans compared to their white counterparts. The gang is demonized by the newspapers, with the popular opinion swaying the jury, making a mockery of the criminal justice system (Valdez, 1979). The gang is convicted without sufficient evidence, with their lawyer, George, pointing out in his closing statement that such a conviction is un-American (Valdez, 1979).
Conclusion
Thus, the guilty verdict shows that individuals of Mexican background are not viewed as American but as alien. In summary, the Zoot Suit exemplifies the unfair treatment of ethnic minorities within the criminal justice system, from their appearance being derided to being held to different standards.
References
Kratz, J. (2021). El Movimiento: The Chicano movement and Hispanic identity in the United States. Pieces of History. Web.
Valdez, L. (1979). Zoot suit.