Race is an ambiguous concept possessed by individuals, and according to sociologists Michael Omi and Howard Winant, it is socially constructed; it also signifies differences and structure inequalities. Race divides people through categories which led to cultural and social tensions. It also determined inclusion, exclusion, and segregation in U.S society. Both inclusion and exclusion tie together to create the overall process of segregation — one notion cannot occur without resulting in the others. Segregation is a form of separation in terms of race that includes the processes of inclusion and exclusion. Race was the main factor that caused conflicts among people in society in the realms of culture, education, and residential. Historians,
(228) Mexicans were also stereotyped as dirty and non-Christians lacking social etiquette, so Anglos believed they needed special classes to learn and be similar to their Anglo peers. (231) Due to Mexicans' low I.Q test scores, Anglos isolated themselves so they would not be affected by the intellectually inferiors. Anglos utilized test scores and their history with Mexicans to create boundaries and prevent any interactions. They closed off as a group to further their education thus removed associations with Mexicans entirely; they only wanted their own kind in the classroom. Race paved the ways Anglos perceived themselves smarter and better than Mexicans — the idea constructed a split between two groups.
Culture and social events with the incorporation with music and new fashion styles often reunite people, but this was not the case as these circumstances disconnected race groups. Professors Robin D.G Kelley and Anthony Macias discussed in their articles how zoot suits and music dichotomized youths of different racial backgrounds. "The Riddle of the Zoot: Malcolm Little and Black Cultural Politics During World War II" by Kelley proclaimed the story of Malcolm X's journey to be socially accepted by assimilation. He was one of the zoot suiters back in the 1930s and 1040s; they were referred to as "race rebels" because they adopted new music, dance styles, and dressed certain ways. (163) Youths created their