Revised Topic

I apologize for the lateness of my post, I didn't have time to visit Hoover until just yesterday. Here is my original idea, with my additional thoughts after exploring the available sources.

Although my research question and thesis are not set in stone, I am operating under a general idea that hopefully can help me narrow down my focus as my research progresses. Basically, I want to frame the minority wartime experience with the theme of our class, identities. This would break down into two main facets: how are these minority soldiers perceived by those around them (i.e. their commanders and fellow soldiers, their community back home, other minority groups, etc.) and how do they perceive themselves (ties to their original home and culture versus ties to their adopted country, the United States.) What are they fighting for? Narrow concerns such as their family? Fear of being seen as 'un-American?' Unable to find a job, and so chose the army as a last resort? Or do they believe in the cause, believe that defending America and her democratic ideals are reason enough to volunteer? Of course the background of these soldiers would play an important part in my analysis. Are they first or second generation Americans? What was their life like growing up in this country?

After looking into available sources, I may have to adjust my focus towards the home front. Looking in the Hoover archives and the Mexican-American collection, I did find one promising collection about a Cuban-American literary scholar who also served as a Sgt. In World War II. However, the majority of his writings are in Spanish (which I do not speak). I am still interested in my original research questions, but I may need to adjust my focus if I cannot find a primary source documenting a soldier’s experience.

I think I may look closer at the experience of Mexican-Americans and Mexican immigrants in Los Angeles during the war years (1939-1945). I have found a source that focuses on these types of experiences in Southern California. Many of these immigrants were targets for violence, which erupted into the Zoot Suit Riots. I want to examine why such divisive racial tensions existed during the war years and how they affected Mexican-American perceptions of their newly adopted home country as well as their effect on American morale in general.

- Brendan