Final answer:
The play "Zoot Suit" portrays multiculturalism through the cultural identity of Mexican American youths expressed via zoot suits, symbolizing resistance to racial discrimination and societal conformity amidst the historical backdrop of the Zoot Suit Riots.
Step-by-step explanation:
Multiculturalism is a pivotal theme in the play "Zoot Suit" which presents the unique cultural identity of Mexican American youths in the 1940s through their distinctive zoot suits. The play showcases how these suits, emblematic of their wearers' resistance to mainstream American culture, became a means to assert their individual identities against a backdrop of racial discrimination and prejudice. In the context of the play, the zoot suit becomes a symbol of nonconformity and cultural pride, but it also draws hostility from a society that expected uniformity and assimilation during and after the Second World War.
Within the narrative, the impact of the zoot suit extends beyond fashion; it represents a flashpoint for the cultural and racial tensions of the time, culminating in the historical Zoot Suit Riots. The aggression against Mexican Americans wearing the suits and the portrayal of these characters within the tumultuous setting of Los Angeles during this period depict a stark reality of marginalization. This representation underscores the struggles of minority groups to maintain their cultural distinctiveness in the face of systemic oppression and violence.
"Zoot Suit" thereby serves as a cultural commentary on the era's struggles and contributes to the ongoing discourse surrounding American multiculturalism, including the issues of race, identity, and inclusivity. It highlights the social conflicts arising from a growing multicultural sensibility in the U.S., reflecting a time when a unified American cultural identity was being contested and redefined. The play, thus, fosters an understanding of both the empowerment and challenges that come with America's diversity.