The Importance of the Media Been to the Construction of Negative Social Images of Bikers - Essay Example

The Importance of the media been to the construction of negative social images of bikers By + Introduction Bikers refer to members of outlaw motorcycle clubs and are found all over the globe. Society usually has certain values and norms that its members are required to abide to. If these values are not abided to, an individual is considered to be non-conforming and deviant. A common feature of biker gangs is the perception of deviancy that enshrines them. This does not mean that they all perform illegal operations; it is just that deviancy is behavior that is considered inappropriate. In recent years, bikers have been the subject of stigmatization by the media (Barbieri 2007). This is because main stream media is more focused on the organized crime elements of these groups and the gang related violence that usually involves the members of these groups, in this case, with reference to the United Kingdom. This is not to dispute the fact that these things actually happen, but some of these activities are given undue attention by the media. Biker gangs are therefore victims of stigma due to past moral panics. In this paper, I will attempt to look at the history of the gangs and other factors that justify their actions as is depicted by the media. Discourse Biker groups commit crime due to pressure from the immediate society. Most members of the gangs come from groups of people who are from poor economic backgrounds and who join gangs so as to feel a sense of belonging. A clear instance is when the members of a certain gang can decide to traffic drugs so as to expand their sources of income. This may be an illegitimate activity but it is the only way they can achieve a goal that is approved by society, that of being financially independent. This is known as the concept of anomie. This theory was developed by Robert Merton. This states that an individual under effect of anomie can have a goal approved by the society but would use illegal ways to achieve that goal. There is the common notion that laws were made by the higher class members of the society to serve their interests. This is the Marxist theory. Following this line of thought, it implies that the criminal and justice system is not equal to all and can be used as a means to exploit lower members of the society. In this case, bikers commit crimes as a form of revolution; this is because of alienation by the superiors. Most of the older members of biker gangs around the world are war veterans. When they came back from the war they were despised by the general public and the media as a whole. Many were left with no homes, no jobs and felt bitter at the government for this treatment. These veterans therefore take part in criminal activity as a form of revolution against the upper members of the society so as to try and improve their own social status (Osgerby 2005). There is a theory known as the labeling theory. This is concerned with the way people are classified and determined based on the behaviors they commit. No action can be considered to be utterly deviant, what makes an action deviant are the norms of the society. This raises the issue of the moral panic. This refers to a person or a group of people whose behavior is circulated massively by influential society members such as the media as being a threat to the basic societal values and norms. Because of this, there is a sense of panic and fear whenever these particular groups are mentioned. This is prone to controversy, since people who may happen to share certain characteristics and similarities with these groups may be taken to be deviant even though they might not be involved in wayward behavior. This is the case of biker clubs and gangs. Biker clubs in recent years have been on the spotlight for the wrong reasons within UK. They are seen as criminals and defiant members of the society whose only goal in life is to break the law. However, even though some biker gangs may participate in criminal activities, there are other members of motorcycle clubs who are legitimate in their operations but are still being subjected to the same stigma; this is due to moral panic. Like in the case for biker gangs, moral panic usually reaches its peak; this rapidly dissolves only to reemerge later on. History of gangs Motorcycle gangs came into existence at the end of World War 2. After the war, the veterans had a hard time trying to integrate back to the society. They were not used to the peaceful existence of civilians and they wanted a bit more excitement in their lives, something like what they experienced in the war. They were also isolated by the general public and their immediate and they therefore felt the need to stick together with people who understood their scenarios. This was made worse by the various mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorders that they were suffering from (Nichols 2010). Many could also not stand the low paying jobs that they had to take up so that they could earn a living. They therefore decided to reestablish the tight social bonds that they had formed overseas. The motor cycles became a means by which the veterans could socially bond over a common interest. This marked the beginning of the motorcycle groups and related activities in various locations around the world. They could therefore live the thrill filled lives they so desired. During their early years, no one seemed to care about these motor cycle movements. They were considered to be enthusiasts who had shared ideas and interests; they were also seen as a group of people who had a common interest and created close bonds through such memberships. This changed in the year 1947 following the ‘Hollister Riot’. There was a rally in the American town of Hollister and it involved a lot of intoxication. However, trouble started when these bikers became intoxicated. They went round destroying property and assaulting people. This incident was highlighted in the media. The newspapers went wild with information in regards to the events of that day, this created panic and fear in regards to the biker gangs and created negative image in the minds of the mass population. They were viewed as alcoholics, violets and destructive. This event in Hollister marked the beginning of a negative publicity in regard to the bikers. It was from then that they were considered as outlaws (Browne, 2003). This negative publicity resulted in future members to internalize this rebellious nature as normal behavior. Subsequently, material items that are related to bikers have also been conceived as symbols of deviancy and rebellion. Examples of these are the black leather and the motorcycles. The motorcycle and the black leather The motor cycle and the black leather jacket became a sign of rebellion. This stereotype was made worse by the fact that it was emphasized in films. An example is The Wild One, which starred Marlon Brando as an outlaw biker. He wore a black leather jacket and rode a large motor cycle. In England in the 1960s there were the Mods and the Rockers. These were two youth groups (Hayes 2010). The Mods were a group of people whose main focus were music, fashion and rode around in motorized scooters. On the other hand, the Rockers rode motorcycles, wore black leather and listened to rock n roll music. These two groups usually got into fights; their biggest bout was in 1964. Thousands of members of these two groups clashed on the beaches in Brighton, the media took the matter up and tagged them as enemies of the country. Not only were they considered negative elements in the society, things associated with them such as clothing (black leather) and motor cycles have also been given the same perception. In general, the public representation of the gangs is negative. The outlaw is another gang of bikers that is in England. This gang has up to 30 chapters in England. This gang lives up to the perception of criminal activity that is built up by the media. They control a string of organized criminal activities in and around England (Barker 2007). They are believed to be behind the murder of Hell’s Angel’s member Gerry Tobin. This was not the first time to occur since violence between these two gangs was a common occurrence. The one time leader of the group, Taco Bowman, was one of the most wanted fugitives by the FBI. What is common throughout this essay is that there has been a negative perception in regards to biker gangs for a long time in history. The basic image of the biker is a rebellious outlaw who willingly breaks the communities’ rules so as to personally gain from such ;these perceptions have been passed down to people across various generations and is in the collective conscious of people in modern society. There is a common thought that anybody who is a member of a biker gang or is associated with them is a criminal. It is for this reason that these gangs are usually under close surveillance by the media and the police. On several instances, biker gangs have participated and do participate in organized and violent crimes. This comes in many forms such as: violent gun crimes between two warring bike factions, the number of drive by shootings on biker bases and the private homes of biker gang members. Though rare, these crimes are usually widely spread by the media and form the headlines for days on end. They increase the level of the violence these gangs commit and make it appear as if these instances of violence are targeted to the public. The media usually states that gang related crimes cause a lot of chaos that gangs have turned public places into warzones and the public have become gang targets. In reality, gang violence is usually targeted at other gangs and their members. None of the violence in this regard is directed to the public, they are just victims of circumstances that get caught up in the crossfire. This is because the violence is not confined to certain areas but usually extends to open spaces. It is never the intention of biker gangs to engage the public in their wars. However, even when not engaging in any criminal activity. Biker gangs are usually subjected to close scrutiny by the media and law enforcers. An example is when the members of a gang are travelling from one place to another. The notion in the minds of the people is that the members are going to take over a rival gangs’ clubhouse and violence would soon occur. This causes moral public as they seem to be in danger themselves. People therefore tend to flee from such areas and to inform the police who then closely monitor their activities. Despite the mass media attention on these gangs, many groups do have legitimate operations. They are just a group of motor cycle enthusiasts who just want to have a good time. It is common to see some of them take part in charity events across the country. Conclusion In conclusion, many theories can be raised as to why bikers do engage in criminal activities. These ranges from the exploitation and alienation from being lower class as per the Marxist theory, social pressures the bikers seem to face as per the stain perspective. But in reality, biker gangs have been over represented. They have been represented in a negative way and that perception is hard to change. However, there are legitimate biker groups who have a positive influence on the society. These form the majority of bikers across the globe and more so in the United Kingdom Bibliography Top of Form BARBIERI, J. (2007). Bikers handbook: becoming part of the motorcycle culture. St. Paul, MN, MBI Pub. Company LLC. Bottom of Form MCDONALD-WALKER, S. (2000). Bikers: culture, politics and power. Oxford, Berg. HAYES, B. (2010). American biker: the history, the clubs, the lifestyle, the truth. Birmingham, MI, Flash Productions, LLC. NICHOLS, D. (2010). One percenter the legend of the outlaw biker. St. Paul, Minn, Motorbooks International. BROWNE, R.(2003). Continuities in popular culture: the present in the past & the past in the present and future. Bowling Green, OH, Bowling Green State University Popular Press. BARKER, T. (2007). Biker Gangs and Organized Crime. Burlington, Elsevier Science. VENO, A., & WINTERHALDER, E. (2009). Biker chicks: the magnetic attraction of women to bad boys and motorbikes. Crows Nest, N.S.W., Allen & Unwin. OSGERBY, B. (2005). Biker: truth and myth : how the original cowboy of the road became the easy rider of the silver screen. Guilford, Conn, Lyons Press. Read More