Final answer:
Before World War II, California experienced racial prejudice and discrimination towards African Americans, Mexican Americans, and Japanese Americans, which impacted their housing, job opportunities, and immigration policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Voorhis' statement suggests that the social situation in California before World War II was characterized by various forms of racial prejudice and discrimination. African Americans, Mexican Americans, and Japanese Americans all faced racial profiling, housing segregation, and other forms of mistreatment due to their race or ethnicity.
Thus, the situation was especially challenging for minority groups as they sought housing, faced job competition, and dealt with immigration policies that made it difficult for them to come to the country. The war provided opportunities for ethnic minorities to improve their situations, but also highlighted the divisions and discrimination that still persisted.