The Low and Slow World of Lowriding

 

There is more to a lowrider than a flashy car. Not only is there a lot of incredible mechanical and artistic work that goes into creating these cars there is also a rich cultural history that can be traced back to the early 1930s in the Southwest of the United States. Xris Macias, Co-Chair Annual International Lowrider Studies Conference, mentions that people need to see who the lowrider community is “what we (do) through our cars is an active act to maintain and preserve our culture.” A frequently misunderstood community lowriders have roots with Mexican American farmers who could not afford their own cars and would come together and purchase a car as a community.

By 1940 using cars to express cultural pride started to pick up momentum with more people fixing old cars and customizing them. Taking cast-off parts and creating beauty is symbolic of the struggles, triumphs and history of this vibrant community. Lowering a vehicle's rear end is a way for owners to symbolically keep their chin up or in the case of lowering the whole car, (think race car), a way to express social mobility. The ingenuity of car owners in modifying their vehicles first included utilizing sandbags, bricks, and even cement in the trunk to lower the back of the car. By 1960 car technology started to change and sandbags were no longer necessary and with the invention accessibility of hydraulic suspensions in the 70’s and 80’s lowriders could literally make cars hop and dance.

For the second year, the lowriding community joins West Valley Center SLCC in a celebration that highlights this unique art form and cultural phenomenon. Idolina Quijada, West Valley Center Campus Manager, says, “Hop into College is a way to welcome the community into our home and remind them that they belong here and SLCC is accessible to anyone and everyone.”

Like customizing a car, obtaining a degree or certificate takes patience and perseverance, and there can be many bumps and breakdowns, along the way. The end result will be something worth jumping up and down about and the SLCC West Valley Center is here to help the community Hop into College.