I just want to say thanks to all the lowrider fanatics who gave their personal input with the Lowrider Magazine Survey. There was a whole lot of constructive criticism going on from lowrider support all across the country. What mattered most was that people cared enough about their automotive culture to spend time to share all of their collective thoughts. In upcoming editorials in Lowrider Magazine, as well as forums and blogs on the Lowrider website, I will address the concerns of our readers. It also gives me the opportunity to explain why we do certain things the way we do.
Remember that I was an outsider just like many of you for more than 30 years, and all I ever did in my day was to try and improve the images that were bestowed upon us as lowriders. As that lowrider person most of my life, I fought with society’s outlook on us, and to gain respect towards the Image of all lowriders, not just for myself and friends. I had to prove that we weren’t only about loud flashy paint or illegal little wheels, and I never took it well when we were patronized as gang-attired youth, always rolling deep and into trouble.
I tried, like many others out there, to lead by example. I can’t count the many times that we all parked, dropped our cars to the ground and swung open our doors only to have people greet us with negativity in their eyes and sarcasm in their words. Lowriding is a cultural domain on wheels, a form of sacrifice, and a bold attitude. That’s all. It never mattered what color you were, or what education you had, or where you came from. As long as you had a lowrider, you were equal and one of us.
Accepting the Job as Editor of Lowrider was a chance for me to get out to the masses through the magazine and the car shows to lend a hand or an ear to help build back the pride that we have lost somewhat over the years. The world needs to know that we are an army, but an army of one! Respect given first will reflect the course or direction that our magazine will go. Never judge a book or magazine by its cover; inside is what counts.
You will see the passion in departments like Raza Report and On The Scene. We are so rich in history; it’s long past time where we need to educate our people to become more proud of whom they are. With all of your help, including the responses from the survey, we can and will show society who we really are through the inside pages of Lowrider Magazine. This is our soul. The survey totals illustrate the passion that we have for our car culture and heritage. People said to show more cars, more bombs, more history/”where are they now” segments, more car show coverage, more bikes, and more coverage on lowriders in other states. Most of the feedback was positive and vital, and in total agreement with everyone over here at Lowrider.
Being on the inside has helped me understand some situations and problems that do exist, and with a little understanding I can help resolve the matters a lot faster, on both sides. The fact that this is a business doesn’t really make a big difference. Sometimes understanding how things really work or the reasons why they are helps a lot before things are just said, carelessly. In all generations of lowriding, we are about respect first and foremost. Sometimes the lack of that by some of our own people is what defeats our total purpose.
I was on the outside, and I had my negative views towards the magazine too, and that is why I’m also here to help represent who we are and what we want. I will share the passions and viewpoints with everyone through this magazine, from the exhibitors and the fans who attend all the out of state car shows, and on over to emails, letters or phone calls. Anything to turn the page forward so that we not only transform the magazine to a passionate and historically relevant magazine, but most importantly (as when I accepted this job) to show the world how proud we really are. Thank you once again for your response and you are always welcome to respond to us if you care and have respect.
Sincerely,
Joe Ray