I have just finished reviewing the 2nd episode of the new FX show "Son's of Anarchy". I have been a fan of the FX Show "The Shield" for years and I have to say, I have enjoyed "Sons of Anarchy" so far. The show has great bikes and lots of action!
As a Member of an Outlaw Motorcycle Club, I have already seen many mistakes in the show. One thing that's really surprising to me is how people have reacted to the show and me personally. People who know I'm a member of a Motorcycle Club are asking me, "You guys aren't like that, are you?" Some of these people have known me for years! Now after a couple of episodes of "Sons of Anarchy" their wondering if I'm leading some kind of double life.
Can you imagine if a show about criminal killer Florists came out? Would people ask them if they where really like that? One fact of life about being a Biker I have come to except is, it's real easy for people to think of Bikers as the bad guys. It's always been that way. I wonder how many Cops had people ask them the same question when the Shield came out? I also wonder how many Cops who watch the Shield and know that show is fiction will watch "Sons of Anarchy" and think that's how Motorcycle Clubs really are! The show "Sons of Anarchy" is fiction and it is way over the top.
Son's of Anarchy is going to shine a lot of light onto the Motorcycle Club world. Where as the last 10 years have been all about Motorcycle Builders and has led to a lot of people getting into Motorcycle Riding, I believe the next 10 years will be all about Motorcycle Clubs. Now this show could be a good thing for Motorcycle Clubs if, in-between all the fictional action, it also focuses on the bond of Brotherhood Motorcycle Clubs are based on.
Although there is opportunity for "Sons of Anarchy" to make a positive statement about Motorcycle Clubs, I have a feeling the show will have a negative impact on Clubs, Independent Bikers, and the Motorcycle Community in general. By highlighting the good Motorcycle Clubs do and the positive impact that they have on their communities, I don't think that is the way the program is going.
All the Motorcycle Clubs out there are going to need to keep their eyes wide open and watch any new prospects. MCs need to make sure that new prospects are there for the Brotherhood and betterment of the Club and the community. You don't want prospects to live out some misguided fantasy they may have seen on TV or in some Movie. Another big concern of mine is people who will just go out and throw on a set of patches and think they are the "Sons of Anarchy". The Motorcycle Club world is all about Respect and there is a serious protocol that is followed by all Clubs. I would not recommend violating that protocol in any way.
Motorcycle Clubs have spent the past 20 years working hard to shake the old biker gang stereotype of the 60's and 70's. Now that we have come close to accomplishing our goal, shows like "Sons of Anarchy" and the upcoming HBO show 1% are here to drag our image back into the muck. How far will these shows set us back? I would ask the producers of these shows, there sponsors, and everyone else out there to please remember that Brotherhood is what the Motorcycle Club world is truly about.
Your Bro, L.J. James AmericanBikerX. com - 20605
As a Member of an Outlaw Motorcycle Club, I have already seen many mistakes in the show. One thing that's really surprising to me is how people have reacted to the show and me personally. People who know I'm a member of a Motorcycle Club are asking me, "You guys aren't like that, are you?" Some of these people have known me for years! Now after a couple of episodes of "Sons of Anarchy" their wondering if I'm leading some kind of double life.
Can you imagine if a show about criminal killer Florists came out? Would people ask them if they where really like that? One fact of life about being a Biker I have come to except is, it's real easy for people to think of Bikers as the bad guys. It's always been that way. I wonder how many Cops had people ask them the same question when the Shield came out? I also wonder how many Cops who watch the Shield and know that show is fiction will watch "Sons of Anarchy" and think that's how Motorcycle Clubs really are! The show "Sons of Anarchy" is fiction and it is way over the top.
Son's of Anarchy is going to shine a lot of light onto the Motorcycle Club world. Where as the last 10 years have been all about Motorcycle Builders and has led to a lot of people getting into Motorcycle Riding, I believe the next 10 years will be all about Motorcycle Clubs. Now this show could be a good thing for Motorcycle Clubs if, in-between all the fictional action, it also focuses on the bond of Brotherhood Motorcycle Clubs are based on.
Although there is opportunity for "Sons of Anarchy" to make a positive statement about Motorcycle Clubs, I have a feeling the show will have a negative impact on Clubs, Independent Bikers, and the Motorcycle Community in general. By highlighting the good Motorcycle Clubs do and the positive impact that they have on their communities, I don't think that is the way the program is going.
All the Motorcycle Clubs out there are going to need to keep their eyes wide open and watch any new prospects. MCs need to make sure that new prospects are there for the Brotherhood and betterment of the Club and the community. You don't want prospects to live out some misguided fantasy they may have seen on TV or in some Movie. Another big concern of mine is people who will just go out and throw on a set of patches and think they are the "Sons of Anarchy". The Motorcycle Club world is all about Respect and there is a serious protocol that is followed by all Clubs. I would not recommend violating that protocol in any way.
Motorcycle Clubs have spent the past 20 years working hard to shake the old biker gang stereotype of the 60's and 70's. Now that we have come close to accomplishing our goal, shows like "Sons of Anarchy" and the upcoming HBO show 1% are here to drag our image back into the muck. How far will these shows set us back? I would ask the producers of these shows, there sponsors, and everyone else out there to please remember that Brotherhood is what the Motorcycle Club world is truly about.
Your Bro, L.J. James AmericanBikerX. com - 20605
About the Author:
LJ lives the Biker Life and loves good Motorcycle Gear LJ works for a Collection Agency .
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