Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs - Article Example

Deviant Subculture: Outlaw Motorcycle clubs

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Little et al. (2016) defines deviance as "violation of established contextual, cultural or social norms whether folkways, mores or codified law." Drawing from this, deviant subcultures are those groups that develop values or norms that are considered to be outside the culture of a dominant population. There are various reasons that prompt individuals to be affiliated with a particular subculture. According to Cohen, the emergence of deviant subcultures is as a result of status frustration. This relates to the working class that tries to emulate the middle class but lacks the means to achieve success; hence they get frustrated. As a result, they develop a sense of personal failure or inadequacy where the individuals feel they have been denied status in society (Thompson, 2016). With this regard, this paper explores the outlaw motorcycle club. This subculture is majorly centered on the use of motorcycles, particularly cruiser motorcycles. In most scenarios, the group does not conform to the mainstream culture, and loyalty is upheld to the biker group. Various aspects in relation to this subculture are discussed, including reasons for joining the subculture, stigmatization, and so on.

Members of the motorcycle club are stereotyped and even become victims of discrimination. Members of the club have indicated that police often pull them over due to their outfits. Furthermore, members are profiled depending on the establishment of where they are from. According to Thompson (2015), members of a motorcycle club in Australia petitioned against discrimination. This ensued after several police officers raided the club’s annual show and even arrested some of them. Most of them were subjected to harassment by the police officers. This is just one example of the harassment this outlaw club is subjected to. Notably, the media plays a big role in the negative picture that society believes outlaw motorcycle clubs are. This is because most of the news reported is always the negative aspect of this subculture. Hence these people encounter stigmatization. According to Goffman (2009), stigma is the social or physical attribute the devalues an individual's social identity, thereby disqualifying them from full social acceptance.

Barker (2010) notes that deviant motorcycle clubs can be placed into a continuum of gangs and clubs as well. He notes that most of the motorcycle clubs have evolved into criminal social organizations citing that the clubs support criminal activities of its members indirectly. He further indicates that these clubs carry out organized criminal activities not only on a national level but internationally as well. Notably, the structure and culture of this deviant club attract individuals who are criminals or have the potential for criminal disposition. In America, there two types of motorcycle clubs. There is 99% that is considered to be law-abiding, according to the American Motorcyclist Association, and then there is the 1% that engages in criminal activities throughout the American heartland. These gangs, for example, engage in violence, drug trafficking, among other brutal activities. In the US, some of the dangerous clubs are noted to be the Warlocks, the Highwaymen, Black Piston Motorcycle Club, just to mention a few (Complex, 2020).

Each society has a set of norms or values that are deemed to be appropriate. However, when these norms are challenged, those challenging them are labeled as deviant. According to Hirschi (1969), deviant behavior is derived from an individual’s link or bond to the society being weak or broken. Also, there is the aspect of social groups developing rules such that their infraction is noted to be deviant. The fact that most of the 1% outlaw motorcycle club engages in criminal activity makes them deviant in the eyes of the public and officials. In most instances, the deviance is by choice such that most of these clubs have evolved into organized and even professional crime. Notably, members ensure strict compliance with the club’s culture, and their commitment alienates from society, and as a result, they develop deviant behavior.

As mentioned, motorcycle clubs conform to certain rules. This, therefore, makes it attractive for individuals to join in that there are mutual trust and a code of honor. However, membership is subject to certain processes depending on the club. For some, there are several stages that must be passed in order to attain full membership. For example, individuals willing to join must pass a vote of the membership and must swear some level of allegiance to the group. Some clubs even indicate a 100% vote is a must for one to join the club. Furthermore, it can take a considerable amount of time before one becomes a fully patched member. Commitment is a key entity in the club, and members are required to conduct themselves with the highest level of discipline. It is possible to exit the club. However, it is not all that simple for some of the outlaw motorcycle clubs. Ferantti (2016) denoted some of the challenges that George Christie, a former Hells Angels motorcycle outlaw club experienced after exiting the club. His intent to exit the group was as a result of feeling the club had lost its perspective from their initial intent of the outlaw lifestyle. After his exit, friendships were broken, and some even labeled him as an informant. Furthermore, communicating with some of the members placed them in jeopardy. Generally, members are not happy with the decision to exit the group. There is a fear of stigmatization. However, not all clubs conform to the same rules. Some clubs have established constitutions such that those who wish to leave must be respected, and those who do not honor the decision are bound to face the consequences.

Despite the fact that there are outlaw motorcycle gangs, most of the clubs do engage in activities that benefit society. For example, these clubs engage in charity events where they care for the weakest in society. Often, these include the poor, the sick, orphans, people living with disabilities, veterans, homeless people, drug addicts, and so on. This is an indication that these clubs do not deserve to be criminalized, like what society does in most instances. However, their charitable activities are not always bound for publicity. The major benefit of joining an outlaw club is the aspect of brotherhood. Members of the club can rely on each other in times of need (Quinn and Forsyth, 2009).

Despite the good deeds of the clubs, the society has a number of misconceptions about these clubs. For example, their good reaction is frowned by society by the belief that their actions are to mask their criminal nature. Notably, they have been termed criminals, which is not true. However, it is true there are gangs, but most of them are law-abiding citizens. It is only that they are people who devote their time to a common interest (James, 2018). As a communications director, it would be a responsibility to promote the legitimacy of the group and try to discourage the current perspective that society has on the outlaw clubs. Goffman explored the dynamism between a person’s self-presentation and the audience’s crucial discernment that sets in motion various micro-level structures that form the basis of the course of social interaction regardless of the specific content. Notably by encouraging a change in view of motorcycle outlaw clubs would encourage general acceptance in the society.

The existence of biker gangs that are deviant shadows the positive side of outlaw motorcycle clubs. Mostly, the one percent is a challenge to law enforcement and the society at large. This has made the public reaction to be negative, fearful, and even led to the development of a moral panic. However, motorcycle outlaw clubs require advocacy to change the negative perspective. These are people who have common grounds and benefit society in a number of ways. Through charity events, for example, they uplift the disadvantaged in society. However, the positive side is shadowed by a few acts of criminality. It would, therefore, be prudent to have measures in place that can change the society's perspective of these outlaw motorcycle clubs.