Final answer:
Mexican Americans in Los Angeles faced racial prejudice and discrimination during World War II. They experienced violence during the Zoot Suit Riot and struggled with housing shortages. However, Mexican American communities challenged discrimination and worked for change.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mexican Americans in Los Angeles during World War II faced racial prejudice and discrimination. The increase in Mexican agricultural workers during the war led to the growth of the Mexican American population in Southern California. The bracero program, which allowed Mexican laborers to work in the United States, resulted in the immigration of thousands of impoverished Mexicans.
Mexican American youths in Los Angeles also experienced violence from white servicemen during the Zoot Suit Riot of 1943. Many newspapers portrayed Mexican American youths as gang members, exacerbating the issue. Additionally, housing for Mexican Americans was limited, and they faced housing shortages and displacement.
Discrimination against Mexican Americans began in the early 20th century and continued through the decades. Hispanics faced unfair land disputes, discriminatory laws, and were outnumbered and outcast by Anglo-American settlers. However, Mexican American communities challenged discrimination, such as the Mendez v. Westminster case, which fought against school segregation based on ethnicity.
After World War II, many Mexican Americans faced prejudice and discrimination, but the efforts of war veterans and incidents like the Longoria Affair helped bring attention to these issues and encourage change.