-
Essay / Chicanas during World War II - 840
The advancement of women in the workplace was evident during World War II, but the movement of young Chican@s forming their own unique society and social empowerment through the fashion was less visible. The introduction of Chicana into the high-wage American workforce was an unprecedented step forward for equality for Chicana workers. Chicanas worked alongside white men, while maintaining proud Chicana roots, neither American nor Mexican. During World War II, Americans planned to “unite the races” for war and enforce rigid American social norms. Rather than recognizing the racial and cultural differences that are essential to personal meaning and ethnic identity/heritage, Anglos wanted to get rid of so-called "castes" in favor of the Americanization of inferior nationalities. Anglos assumed the superiority of their cultural and social values and perceived the extinction of various cultures as a gift to their members. During this period, young Chicana workers furiously and openly donned "superior" clothing while challenging gender roles by wearing men's jackets and pompadours. They got rid of Mexican and American cultures and pissed off both worlds, forming their own social movement. The Anglos demonized the so-called Pachucas as "racial antagonists" instead of exposing the real, Anglo-dominated system. Thus, the Anglo-Saxon conquest for racial/social domination was disguised as “can’t we all get along?” » (by maintaining the racially unequal social norms which constitute the American default which is comfortable for the Anglo-Saxons). The repercussions of confusing socioracial roles are still devastating and strongly highlighted in the Zoot Suit riots. Zoot's costumes pointedly challenged segregation. Chicano elders and siblings went off to war, leaving Chican@ yo...... middle of paper ... sordid, violent, and irrational racial and gender category. Traditional Mexican families placed great importance on the virgin status of their daughters over "racial purity", while Anglos followed the typical pattern of reproductive segregation, but with a façade of integration that inadvertently was a cultural assimilation, or sectarianism. Perceptions have changed today for the worse. In Washington State, there is a constant influx of migrant workers who clash with parents and society. Traditional values of Castilian origin encouraged large families very early on. Calling women promiscuous and openly shaming them is no longer socially acceptable. However, women must assert their sexuality to gain power in a male-dominated society that demands promiscuity. Still the target of judgment from Anglo-Saxon superiors, Chicanas are now required to sexualize rather than be condemned for it..