Luis Valdez’s Zoot Suit uses the term zoot to refer to a variety of meanings. To gain the attention of police officers and Los Angeles residents, the zootsuit was an extravagant outfit many Chicano Gangsters wore to get noticed. The family members of the boys believe the zootsuit is a symbol of insubordination. However, police offers and the media consider it delinquent. The zootsuit is considered empowering by the Thirty-eighth Street Gang’s boys. There is some disagreement about whether or not the zoot suit symbolizes power.
Many of the Thirty-eighth Street Gang’s chicano-boys are able to identify with each other while they face aggression and discrimination from the Downey Gang. El Pachuco (Henry Reyna’s alter self) begins the play by expressing his passion and appreciation for the zootsuit. He describes putting on a zoot suit, “…makes [Chicancos] feel real root look like a diamond, sparkling, shinning…” (Valdez 1.1.3). El Pachuco is not afraid to show his true colors. The boys gain confidence and swagger from the Downey Gang, which is a rival group. The uniform represents the idea of Chicano pride and the zootsuit is used by the boys. El Pachuco is an embodiment of Chicano spirit. His zoot-suit outfit reminds Henry Reyna he won’t stop trying for respect from the cops. El Pachuco finally states that he “…the idea of the original Chucho was to look like an ideal chuco to look sharp and hip. (Valdez 2.6.16). Because of this, Pachuco is an icon for the boys. The zootsuit gives the boys a sense that they are part of a larger group and is a source of strength. While boys may feel comfortable in groups, the zootsuit makes them feel stronger and more confident. The police and the media view the zootsuit as a sign that the boys are misbehaving and malicious. After dispersing the barrio dance, Sergeant Smith takes Henry and the other boys into custody. Smith then interrogates them and comments sarcastically, “you pachucos, regular tough guys.” (Valdez, 1.3.1). Smith is actually insulting the boys and calling them weaklings by making sarcastic remarks about the tough boys. Sergeant Smith believes the zoot suits are just an ostentatious outfit that makes the boys vulnerable to discrimination. Smith goes on to say, “I hear that the zoot suit is just an ostentatious attire that makes the boys a target of discrimination.” Is it right? It works. This is what the zooters have to do – some old-fashioned discipline.” Valdez 1.4.41. Smith once again resorts to name calling rather than properly addressing boys. Smith considers it a joke that the boys have zoot suits. Smith even questions the secret powers and ridicules the suit. The police clearly don’t take the zoot-suit’s power seriously. Even headlines in Los Angeles newspapers about “Zoot Suit-Suited Goons” (Valdez 1.5.15), reveal that yellow journalism uses zootsuits to derogatoryly label all Mexicans Zoot Suits. The press also comments that the Zoot Suit Crime Wave has even begun to push the war stories off the frontpage” (Valdez 26.15). This is to expose to the public that wearing Zoot Suits and being seen in them is considered a crime.
As many individuals see the zoot suits in different ways, the symbol of a zoot costume adds depth and dimension to the play. It is the identity of the Thirty-eighth Street Gang’s boys. The suit allows the boys to take a united stand against discrimination and oppression by the police and press. For the police and press, however, the zootsuit only represents crime and wrongdoing. The zoot suit is only a symbol of the boys’ recklessness, they believe. The Los Angeles community’s disagreement is reflected in the zootsuit.
