Pachucas

For some, during the time of WWII the wearing of the pachuca style was a statement to the communities of their identity, for others it was a symbol of rebellion. The emergence of the coverage and documentation of Las Pachucas, as well as “the appearance of female pachucos coincided with a dramatic rise in the delinquency rates amongst girls aged between 12 and 20 years old”[2] after the Sleepy Lagoon Case. During the case, Pahuca women were involved and like their pachuco counterparts were not given due process. During the time of increased discrimination against Mexican Americans and Mexican culture, this inclusion of Pachuca women complicates their potential status as “patriotic Americans”. Pachuca women face both backlash from their own communities for their newly sexualized styles and contributions to the riots, but also the Anglo communities and they felt that pachuca women were “unfeminine,” and could never conform to or exude Anglo standards of feminine beauty due to their involvement in the movement.[1][2]

In the Los Angeles newspapers “las pachucas were vilified as incorrigible delinquents” Similarly, “La Opinion referred to them as “las malinches”—traitors to established Mexican codes of chaperoned feminine conduct.”[7] In general, the Pachucos were praised in community for taking a stand against the Anglos, but las Pachucas were frequently criticized in media and in community for being so open about their sexuality, and new found social and political identities within American society.[8]

Amelia Venegas, a Mexican American woman and later considered a cholita, was arrested for disturbing the peace and carrying a concealed weapon after cursing at police officials. According to the press, "twenty-two-year-old, mother of a toddler and wife of a sailor, had incited violence by urging a gang of pachucos to attack sheriff's deputies in her East Los Angeles neighborhood."[6] Additionally, newspapers reported that she “attempted to smuggle a pair of brass knuckles to "zoot suit hoodlums" to assist them in their street brawls with sailors.”[4] The Los Angeles Times featured a photograph of her baring teeth and shaking a threatening fist at the camera. The press deemed Venegas a "pachuco" girl, a label that then suggested gang affiliation.[9][10][5][6]

Las Pachucas faced much backlash from their own Mexican American community. Specifically, la Pachuca, becomes a contested figure in the Mexican American community during the time of the riots and WWII. Some women admired and wore the style, creating their own identities within the American culture and feminist movements.  However, others like Patricia Adler, an Anglo female historian, saw her dangerous and disruptive to ideal Mexican American womanhood, something that was developing in comparison to Anglo feminism ideals. Adler commented that pachucas “scandalized the adults of the Anglo and Mexican communities alike with their short, tight skirts, sheer blouses, and built-up hairdos”. Many women felt this way, because las pachucas and the wearing of the suit was associated with delinquency and rebelled against proper feminine behavior and definitions of Mexican femininity.[11][8]