Down with the ‘‘Homies”
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sensibilities and is depicted in a “zoot suit,” the traditional garb of pachucos. Pachucos
were also referred to as “zoot suiters” by the mainstream community. While this
distinguished way of dressing and grooming is reminiscent of early gang culture, it is not
limited to the active gang community, and non-gang members have adopted this mode of
dressing as a part of their cultural heritage. While it can be found among non-gang
members, it is still primarily associated with gang activity and is not considered
mainstream among Hispanics or the larger community.
17. See note #5.
18. See note #5.
19. Barry Glassner (1999) has coined this term in reference to the misdirected focus the
population has regarding perceived social issues. George Gerbner (2002) analyzes the
relationship between me(Ha and its audience in relationship to “image casting” and
“image control.”
20. For further reading, see R. Rodriguez (1982) and L. J. Rodriguez (1993,2002).
21. Men and women “do gender” in particular social situations in a way that expresses
the “essential” nature of masculinity or femininity (West and Zimmerman 1987;
Messerschmidt 1993).
22. Hegemonic masculinity and emphasized femininity are the “ideal” cultural forms of
masculinity and femininity, interpreted as biologically based, inherent characteristics.
These cultural ideals are defined in direct opposition to one another in which hegemonic
masculinity rises to the top of the gender hierarchy. They are social constructs
accomplished through social acts and structured action, and are guided by situational
gender expectations. These social cues create a situational context that influences a
person to stay within the realm of accepted gender definitions (Messerschmidt 1993).
23. Patriarchy is a system of gender inequality marked by unequal distributions of power
(hooks 1984). It can be further defined as a social and cultural climate that weaves its
male-dominated ideology and practice through social, political, and legal realms of
thought and practice (Belknap 2001).
24. Messerschmidt (1993) defines this as men “doing gender” differently. For a more
comprehensive understanding of gender, race, and class as intersecting axes of analysis,
see Ae work of Patricia Hill Collins (1998,2000).
25. R. W. Connell (1993) addresses the dynamic and fluid nature of masculinity crossculturally and historically.
26. The Euro/American masculine “ideal” is parallel to the concept of the “mythical
norm” (Lourde 1984).
27. See note #5.
28. See note #5.
29. Max Weber (1947) used the term “ideal type” as a means to identify an abstract
model of social behavior against which social scientists could measure actual behavior
30. See note #5.
31. Strong or wise women, referred to as witches, have traditionally been identified with
negative stereotypes and unflattering images (Caputi 1993).
32. See note #5.
33. There is a body of literature that examines “machismo” in relationship to traditional
Mexican folksongs and folklore. These discussions analyze the complex relationships
between race/ethnicity and class within a patriarchy. Hiese articles also discuss the
element of social control evident within a male dominated society and acknowledge the
racial and class issues that come into play. The sexist and oppressing overtone of these