Pachucos emerged in the 1940s during World War II. Pachucos were a group of people, mostly Latinos or people of any race, who had been raised in Latino communities. Pachucos were normal people just like anyone else. The only difference was that they liked to dress differently. Although many people, including some of their families, didn't approve of this kind of style, they continued wearing it. They wore zoot suits not only because they liked the way it looked but because it meant that they were "down" for their raza(race). It was a sign of honor. There were many pachucos in the 1940s, and just like many others, they worked honestly. A lot of them worked in the shipyards and contributed to the war, but they were criticized by the media and discriminated against. They didn't hurt anyone or ask for anything but the right to be who they were. They just wanted to look good and different from everyone else. It isn't exactly known where this style came from or how long it has existed because pachucos were really not mentioned in newspapers or radio stations until the mid-1940s. When the war started fabric was rationed in order to make materials for soldiers away at war. Zoot suits used a lot of fabric and were seen as unpatriotic, although pachucos saved their coupons to buy the cloth needed. It is said that the pachucos did not dress in zoot suits every day; they mostly wore their outfits on weekends when they went dancing. During the week they would dress just like everyone else and worked just as hard. In 1947 the "Pachuco Boogie" became the anthem for the next generation of Chicanos. This song was written and performed by Manuel Tostado Martinez, best known as Don Tosti. This song lent its name to a new musical craze, and Pachuco Boogie shows began filling large Latin music halls such as the Palladium in Hollywood. Pachucos Unite During World War II, police harassed pachucos if they wore their zoot suits in public. In many cases, if something was stolen or someone was hurt, they would automatically blame the pachucos. The police would take the first one they saw in the streets and sometimes charge them with murder without any proper proof. In the Sleepy Lagoon Murder case, the body of Jose Diaz was found at a reservoir in southeast Los Angeles on August 2, 1942. Press hysteria and bigotry fueled the arrest of three hundred Mexican American youths and guided a corrupt trial in which the judge and prosecutors displayed routine disregard for fundamental civil rights. Despite a complete lack of evidence that Diaz had in fact been murdered, twelve defendants were convicted of murder and five were convicted of assault. There were frequent conflicts between Anglo servicemen and pachucos. Sometimes pachucos were stripped and beaten. Eduardo Carrasco came to Oakland from El Paso in 1942 and found work in the shipyards. "I heard about the riot in Los Angeles and I decided to go and fight with my people. When I was going downtown in my suit everybody was getting in front of me and telling me to go back. I will never forget a man who stopped me and said, 'Don't you know they're killing you guys over here, go back,' and I did. I came back to Oakland and if it wasn't for those people, maybe I wouldn't be telling you this story." This was called the Zoot Suit Riot, which took place in Los Angeles, from June 3 to June 13, 1943. Hundreds of American servicemen in the Los Angeles area went downtown and attacked these youth, initially targeting those wearing zoot suits, but eventually beating and stripping anyone of color they could find. Even though this happened many years ago and you can now wear whatever you want, a lot of similar things still happen. For some reason police officers are suspicious of youth and especially those who are wearing baggy clothes. Sometimes, even if you are not wearing baggy clothes but are walking in a group of three or more people, the police might stop you just because they think you look suspicious. This happens most to Latinos, Asians, and African Americans. Pachuco Style Latino men mostly wore the zoot suit. This style was very neat and beautiful. The zoot suits were padded on the shoulders; the coats were baggy and the pants draped at the ankle. Zoot suiters combed their hair in a ducktail fashion. The complete wardrobe would usually include a "lid" or hat that was very big, and shoes with extra thick soles. It was very fashionable at the time to wear a chain hanging from the pants that could be seen while wearing the zoot suit coat. There was a similarly unique style that was worn by pachucas who combed their hair in a pompadour fashion and sported short skirts. The pachucos were remembered for having been involved in the Los Angeles riot. The young women were characterized as delinquent and morally lacking for having been in the company of pachucos. Some people would stereotype the pachucos and pachucas as criminals. The zoot suit was just a style of dressing. Now the style is coming back.