ONLY GOOD VIBES

ICAN’T STAND DISCRIMINATION. People hate on others for so many things, and I can’t help but feel empathy for those who get the short end of the stick in these situations. This doesn’t just happen in the general population, it also happens within our community.

I’m not one for being politically correct all of the time; I’m a firm believer that people can still be a bit edgy. What’s life without a little spice? Not everyone will get along, that’s just how the world works. However, some people take things too far and are judgmental about attributes that don’t matter, usually thanks to a big ego. I’ve always felt that you shouldn’t take yourself too seriously. It’s healthy to be able to laugh at yourself once in a while.

What I’m getting at is that some people unfairly look down on other people’s builds. Not everyone has an unlimited budget or decades of experience building vehicles. When I look at a truck, I think about its backstory. I put myself in the owner’s mindset and consider how proud they must be.

Although we usually feature high-end builds in Street Trucks, we do it to inspire. The trucks on the cover might be unattainable for most, but that’s OK because it gives you an opportunity to appreciate innovative and unique styles. If you pay attention to these details, you can apply them in subtle ways that suit your budget and skill level.

I appreciate a daily-driven truck that doesn’t have the entire custom palette thrown at it yet showcases well-executed changes. Hell, this is why I brought back the readers’ rides section, which we recently renamed “Hometown Heroes.” Not everyone can build a cover truck, but I like to share the everyday trucks that are also badass.

At Street Trucks we like to share our stories and offer lessons because we know not everyone is on the same level. Some people get their egos worked up and forget that they likely came from humble beginnings.

Street Trucks is the very first magazine I turned to when I was in high school and wanted to customize my bone-stock Chevy S-10. I didn’t know any better, but the writers did such a good job of documenting their trials and tribulations that I felt like I was part of the team. We all have to start somewhere, and

I’m fortunate that this magazine inspired me to continue working on my truck.

When I write stories or put an issue together, I always think back to teenaged me and note how I would have benefitted from the step-by-step tech info included. I think the key to keeping this scene alive is inspiring newbies instead of making fun of them. When I was first finding my way, making friends in the scene and talking about how to do various mods helped me the most.

I remember a time when 20inch wheels were considered big, yet a few builders took things further and ran even larger wheels. Naysayers insisted the giant wheels were goofy, but the customizers who stuck their necks out were pioneers who paved the way for the rest of us.

If there’s anything to take away from this, it’s that you shouldn’t be too quick to judge someone else. Sometimes you need to step outside of the box in order to make waves in the scene. Let’s not pick on someone because they have a different style. Everyone has their struggles, and if they need a pick-me-up, don’t be afraid to lend a hand or tell them that you can appreciate the work it took to get as far as they have. Be a buddy not a bully. I think we could all benefit from this viewpoint, so that in the long run, our scene will grow and thrive.

SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO STEP OUTSIDE OF THE BOX IN ORDER TO MAKE WAVES IN THE SCENE. LET’S NOT PICK ON SOMEONE BECAUSE THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT STYLE. EVERYONE HAS THEIR STRUGGLES, AND IF THEY NEED A PICKME-UP, DON’T BE AFRAID TO LEND A HAND …”