Film: Zoot Suit
NHCC-Newsletter-November-2-307 pm In Zoot Suit, Luis Valdez weaves a story involving the real-life events of the Sleepy Lagoon murder trial and the subsequent, racially fueled Zoot Suit Riots throughout Los Angeles. The trial followed the death of José Díaz, found unconscious near the “Sleepy Lagoon” reservoir in 1942, and resulted in the conviction, despite insufficient evidence, of several young Latinos charged with complicity in his murder. The fears and hostilities aroused by its coverage pitted servicemen stationed in Southern California, along with white civilians, against Mexican American (more...)
