The Rise of the Second Generation by George Sanchez

Presented by Andrea Anderson and John Bowles

Thesis and Historiography

Thesis: Overarching theme: Cultural Identities Pachucos/ Zoot Suiters---ResistMembers of MAM---MergeHistoriography:Sanchez closes the historiographical gap.

Discrimination Racial PrejudicePrimary sourcesLetter written by Barela to GuerinZoot Suit Riots—Beatings (such as Pedro

Garcia)=riots in June 1943.Sleepy Lagoon Case—The trial of 17 Mexican

youths on August 2, 1942(Jose Diaz) Dual Identity vs. Counterculture

IdentityIdentity formed through:1) Family—Pass on their Mexican Culture2) School—50% of kids dropped out of school3) Work—Kids worked to help support their

families2 opposing Identities examined1) Pachucos2) Members of MAM

Mexican American YouthCultural Empowerment and Resistance :

1) Political Organizations: MAM

2) Newspapers: The Mexican Voice

3) Creation of cultural icons: Zoot Suits

Zoot Suits“Pachucos”Countercult

ureWages on Zoot Suits.Zoot Suits symbol.

Political OrganizationsMAM, LULACMAM Mexican American Youths

MAM Promoted Education 1) First, to gain

influence in the community.

2) Second, to gain respect.

3) Third, to gain socioeconomic mobility.

NewspaperThe Mexican VoiceRole Models of

Mexican American youths

Question?In what ways did the Mexican American

adolescents succeed as leaders in the community?

How did the second generation of Mexican Americans fail in gaining equality among Anglo Americans?