The sparkling red Impala outshone even the gray cloudy morning. The carefully restored and detailed car was among several “lowriders” that were on display recently in the parking lot of Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs High Tech High.
The car show and presentation to HTH 10th grade students was part of their class project. Through their studies, the students gained a cultural understanding of local Chicano, San Diego and Mexican car club histories. This included study of current political events, racism, and “el arte de los carros.” The Lowrider Unit was a “Case Study” for the project.
Indeed, when it comes to lowriders, it is difficult to separate the cars from the culture. Or fashion. Consider this reflection from student Piper Moreno, who was part of the team guided by HTH teachers Jayne Testerman, Anna Sheppard, and Victoria Rhee.
“The San Diego Lowriders deeply influenced the outcome of my Exhibition Project due to the memorandum they shared with me and my classmates,” Piper said. “The Lowriders of San Diego strive to create a sense of artistic expression, belonging, and self-identity.”
Piper noted that Lowriders resist being lumped together with “drug dealers” or “gang bangers.”
“My goal was to communicate their message by developing an art piece that is both visually beautiful and educational by making a pair of jeans,” she added. “Learning about the Lowriders inspired me to identify the diversity in culture and true meaning behind those who experience hardship, their story.”
Piper also chose to focus her portion of the Exhibition Project on Lowrider Fashion as a result of this last Spanish unit.
Alberto Lopez Pulido, Ph.D., is department chair and professor of ethnic studies at the University of San Diego. His roles as an educator, researcher and community storyteller lift lowriders and communities from neighborhood narratives into their rightful place as part of San Diego’s diverse and vibrant history.
HTH students sat in on Dr. Pulido’s Chicano Studies class at USD. In his talks, he notes how lowriders have been misinterpreted in mainstream media as trouble-makers and gang members. Dr. Pulido’s work elevates and educates people about the integral role of lowriders from Tijuana, San Diego and beyond.
Partners in the HTH car show event included the National City United Lowrider Coalition (ULC). On May 6, lowriders were able to cruise down Highland Avenue legally for the first time since 1992, thanks largely to the efforts of ULC. The car show at HTH came on the heels of the National City cruise, and the speakers shared their insight with students.
“The car show we wrapped up our lowrider unit with was, without a doubt, one of the most memorable experiences of the semester, if not the year!” said student Sydney Purdom. “Seeing the members of the car clubs and their vehicles in-person after spending so much time studying them was incredible! All of the drivers engaged with the students so well, and were genuinely excited to answer all our questions. They approached this activity with both professionalism and enthusiasm, and I hope future classes will get to have the same experience!”
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