The negative attitudes toward zoot suits were created by:

• A. The media
• B. The police
• C. The government
• D. Teachers

Answer: (A)

Public attitudes toward zoot suits were shaped by how the media portrayed them. In the 1940s, sensational headlines and images often framed zoot-suit wearers as unpatriotic or criminal, linking the fashion to social trouble and disrespect for wartime norms. This kind of coverage spread a negative image beyond local communities and helped foster widespread stigma. While police actions and later incidents like the Zoot Suit Riots reflected the tensions, the media’s framing was the primary force behind the negative attitudes. Teachers or government messaging didn’t create this widespread perception to the same extent.