Mexican Americans within the United
States were in some type of grey area within society. They were not completely
white skinned, but they were not black either. Since at this time black women
were generally considered as the least tolerant minority, Mexican American
women were the other minorities that were favored above them. During this time
race was a significant factor when determining social status. Typically the
lighter skinned communities were favored above the darker skinned. Mexican
Americans were not either white or black, but in the middle. There were
disputes as to what race was Mexican Americans were considered as. It was
concluded, legally, Mexican Americans were “white”. Although Mexican American
women were favored above African American women, most of them had low paying
jobs.
In
From Coveralls to Zoot Suits, The
experiences of the Mexican American community were described by Elizabeth
Escobedo. Escobedo talks about areas in Los Angeles during World War II because
that city was racially diverse and had a drastic industrial growth. As America
goes into World War II, many soldiers are shipped out to fight leaving mostly
women at home. It is important to understand that the Mexican American women
significantly helped out the United States in supplying war materials. During
the time of war, war supplies were in very high demand. America needed more
workers in defense jobs in order to fulfill this heavy demand. Because of this high demand, the defense jobs
were giving much higher pay then Mexican American women were used to making.
The
campaign, started by the Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs,
was called “America All”.
“Although
advocates of the federal “Americans All” campaign believed strongly in an
Americanism that prioritized nation over race, as supporters of racial
liberalism, they also advocated for cultural tolerance and understanding ,
recognizing diversity as an integral part of the American people.”[1]
Often racial and cultural background was
a significant factor of the pay that people had when getting jobs within the
United States. “In the face of federal pressure to diversify shop floors,
wartime employers appear to have practiced similar racial stratification, at
times preferring ‘racially ambiguous’ Mexican employees to their black
counterparts.”[2]
This campaign was to encourage communities from all backgrounds to help support
the war efforts for World War II. This campaign helped the Mexican Americans
more than any other race. This campaign sparked the transformation within this
community.
Since
Mexican women were getting higher pay, they gained this sense of independence.
These workers also allowed more time to go out and socialize. They even were
getting paid well enough that people became, “self-sufficient without the
assistance of the federal government.”[3] This
new gained freedom influenced the way a lot of Mexican Americans communities
formed. “Most Mexican American young women simply adopted aspects of the
pachuca persona in a spirit of adventure and independence, not delinquency.”[4] Pachuca
typically wore zoot suits or “drapes” that was adopted by Mexican American men.[5] This
included, “a fingertip jacket; trousers with wide knees that tapered at the
ankle; heavy, thick -soled shoes; and hair in a duck-tail cut.”[6] Although
Pachucas generally represented liberation, some considered them as delinquents,
especially against the teenager group. Pachuca women were portrayed negatively
in the Los Angeles newspapers and at times were falsely accused of crimes
because they seemed like trouble makers.
Although
this “American All” campaign had an unexpected result, it was an important
historical period for Mexican Americans. This community found their place
within the vastly diverse country, America. Many students took advantage of
this opportunity to earn higher pay while in school. “Recognizing a unique
opportunity to earn money while attending school, Rose EcheverrÃa became one of
many students of Mexican descent who made the decision to volunteer for Avion’s
program.”[7] Federal
agencies intended to attract women of color into defense jobs by encouraging
unity within all races and cultures. The women that were recruited, especially
Mexican Americans, grew as a community with their feeling of independence and freedom.
These feelings were shown by the group’s developed styles, like the zoot style,
and other social transformations. This influenced a lot of the Americans with
Mexican descent into following different aspects of the Pachuca persona, which
were ultimately misunderstood as delinquents.
[1]
Elizabeth
R Escobedo, From Coveralls to Zoot Suits:
The Lives of Mexican American Women on the World War II Home Front, 2013. The
University of North Carolina Press. Kindle Edition. (Kindle Locations 982-983).
[2] Elizabeth R Escobedo,
Ibid., (Kindle Locations 1990-1992).
[3] Elizabeth R Escobedo,
Ibid., (Kindle Locations 1630).
[4] Elizabeth R Escobedo,
Ibid., (Kindle Locations 662-663).
[5] Elizabeth R Escobedo,
Ibid., (Kindle Locations 490).
[6] Elizabeth R Escobedo,
Ibid., (Kindle Locations 491-492).
[7] Elizabeth R Escobedo,
Ibid., (Kindle Locations 1508-1510).
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