Overall:: This scene was difficult to me. It kind of threw me off guard due to the fact that it started talking about the war going on. But then I realize that the Pachuco is arguing with sailors and the press about race as well.
Quote:“ Press: You are trying to outdo the white man in exaggerated white man clothes!
Pachuco:
because everybody knows
that Mexicans, Filipinos, and Blacks
belong to the huarache
the straw hat and the dirty overall.
Press: You savages weren’t even wearing clothes when the white man pulled you out of the jungle.
Marine: My parents are going without collars and cuff so you can wear that sh*t.
Press: That’s going too far. Too godda*n far and its got to be stopped!”
Response: In response to this quote I feel that the white sailors are mad at the Mexicans so they decide to pick o them. I feel the sailors are being disrespectful towards the Pachuco as well. I am still confused about the whole thing in general though but from this part of what I read I feel this where the author was trying to go. I am really confused when the Marine starts taking about how his parents are having ti wear collars and cuff. Is he saying this in response to tell the Mexicans and Blacks apart from the whites? A lot confused on this whole scene.
Question: Can someone explain why the sailors are picking on the Pachuco and Henry?
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It's more than just "picking on." They attack Pachuco/Henry because to the sailors, Pachuco/Henry is the OTHER. The OTHER is threatening and part of the problem. The OTHER is what the sailors are fighting in World War II. The differences that the sailors don't understand provide fuel for their anger towards the pachucos. The sailors blame the zoot suiters for causing problems in the area and for disrupting life as they had known it to be. (Sorry it took so long to get back to you, but I'm re-checking blogs since some people's were "hidden." )
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