Final answer:
The experience of people of Mexican descent during World War II included facing racial prejudice, segregation, and struggling with job displacement and forced deportations before the Bracero program was initiated. They made significant contributions to the war effort in the military and fought against discriminatory practices, like in the Mendez v. Westminster case. Despite these challenges, their hardships were often overshadowed by the media's portrayal of postwar America.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that does not accurately describe the experience of people of Mexican descent during World War II is potentially the one that suggests they were not subject to segregation and prejudice. In reality, during World War II, people of Mexican descent faced various forms of discrimination, including violence, segregation, and prejudicial treatment in housing and employment, much like African Americans.
While the bracero program increased the Mexican American population in Southern California due to the demand for agricultural workers, this community also suffered from racial prejudice and segregation. Meanwhile, the military service of over 500,000 Latinos, including Mexican Americans, was noted for its contributions to the war effort, although they had initially been subjected to job displacement and forced deportations before the war.
The Mendez v. Westminster case of 1946 highlighted the struggles against segregation, where Mexican American communities fought against discriminatory practices in schools. Yet, during the period, segregation persisted in many areas, including Texas, Arizona, California, and in some industrial cities of the Midwest. The hardships Mexican Americans and other minorities faced were in stark contrast to the sweetened portrayal of postwar America in the media, with many struggling with poverty, racism, and alienation.