Throughout history, Hispanics in general have experience a considerable amount of discrimination and have been stereotyped as a gang member, drug dealers, and border hoppers. A significant event which stood out to me where Mexicans faced discrimination was "Operation Wetback." Operation Wetback was an operation headed by the Immigration and Naturalization Service in the early 1950's. The intention of the action was to deport illegal immigrants by locating them and sending them back to their country of origin. The target of this operation was the southwest region of the United States and targeted Mexicans. Government agents flooded Mexican neighborhoods and would stop and ask "Mexican looking" people for identification. If none was presented, they were deported back to Mexico. Even children of those deported although being United States Citizens were also deported. The number projected to have ended with over one million illegal immigrants deported back to Mexico. Fred L. Koestler, "OPERATION WETBACK," Handbook of Texas Online

Another act of discrimination in United States History with Mexican Americans was the Zoot Suite Riots of 1952. United States Sailors, Marines, and other service were storming the streets assaulting Mexican American, some of whom were not wearing Zoot Suits. It evolved over a period of ten days. Many service members were the ones who began the riots inciting the Zoot Suitors were harassing their women and being assaulted by them. The police refused to step in and help the Zoot Suitor's because they did not want to arrest any servicemen due to the war. Only Mexicans Americans were arrested in the riots. Police Officer would often hold back crowds and prevent citizens from helping the Mexican's as they were beaten by servicemen. Elliot Gorn, et al, Constructing the American Past: A Sourcebook of a People's History (1970)

When growing up, I would regularly see discrimination from law enforcement towards Hispanics. I lived in a predominantly Hispanic area. My parents use to talk to me about how White people hate Mexicans, and this is why we have to stick with our own and fear the police. My parents would tell me about the Zoot Suit Riots and point out to me that Police Officers would only arrest Mexicans because they were Mexicans. My community was very hostile towards law enforcement because they were all seen as racist.

My parents came into the United States well after Operation Wetback and the Zoot Suit Riots. All the Mexicans in my community would talk to me about the discrimination they received from law enforcement. Hispanics to this day are still singled out because of the drug war in Mexico that has spilled into the United States. A fact most people fail to realize is that Mexicans are not the only ones involved. All races are involved in this yet we are singled out and targeted. We as Hispanics are looked down upon from other races as being "Wetbacks" or "Border Hoppers."

To this day I am discriminated against because I look Hispanic. I recently went into a Louis Vuitton Store to buy my wife a bag. I stood in the store for approximately 20 minutes being one of about three customers inside. I repeatedly made attempts to speak to sales employees, and they would walk away from me. I demanded a manager and finally got assistance. The manager quietly told me "They didn't think you were here to buy anything." When I asked why they would think that, the manager would not reply and only apologized. The other people in the store were White and were quickly accompanied by the sales associates. It was clear to me that it was because I am Mexican that I was not attended.

Discrimination still exists against Mexican Americans to this day. I have suffered this in the past as have my ancestors and family members have. I to this day still find myself not getting assisted while Whites get more attention and service. We have come a long way from the days of Zoot Suit Riots and Operation Wetback. However, I feel the attacks on Mexicans are more subtle now and harder to spot. Tolerance is what I have learned to be. I will not hold an entire race or group responsible because of the actions of a few. Only time will tell if people will learn to be as tolerant of one another.

REFEENCES

Elliot Gorn, et al,
Constructing the American Past: A Sourcebook of a People's History (1970)

Fred L. Koestler,
(2010) "OPERATION WETBACK," Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/pqo01), accessed June 22, 2014. Uploaded on June 15, 2010. Modified on September 4, 2013. Published by the Texas State Historical Association

WOLCOTT, DAVID.
"Zoot Suit Riots." Encyclopedia of Children and Childhood in History and Society. 2004.June 22, 2014 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3402800453.html