Biker Racism: The Jim Crow MC Nation

In what arguably was their beast season since the second one, The Juice storyline in season four of Sons of Anarchy brought a lot of things to light. The first which is quite unfortunate is how blatantly ignorant so many African American bikers are to a very obvious and historical aspect of the community they claim they rep. I’ll illustrate my point by using a quote from SOA creator and main writer Kurt Sutter:

“There seems to be some confusion about Juice's discomfort and fear regarding the discovery of his black father.  This is a racial reality in outlaw motorcycle clubs.  We've touched on the issue lightly over the first three seasons of SOA.  The fact is that most of the bigger MC's do not have African American members.  There are black clubs and there are white (Caucasian, Latino, Asian) clubs.  Most live in harmony.  HA and the East Bay Dragons have been friends for decades.  That relationship inspired the Grim Bastards in season 3.  We delve into the delicate why's and how's of this racial bi-law later in the season, but it was one of those odd, historical barriers that I've wanted to explore.  It's a throwback to a different era that is still in practice today.  I can honestly say that none of the guys I know in the life are racist, yet they function within a structure that is built upon a form of segregation.” Kurt Sutter

Essentially many so-called black bikers were completely unaware that Jim Crow and club segregation policies are a time honored and practiced tradition. Mixed race membership in traditional white 1% clubs have historically never happened and until the Martin Luther King Jr. (or Malcolm X) of the MC circuit rises up, 1% racial club integration is not going to happen anytime soon. It begs the question how African American MC’s support groups of white 1% clubs resolve their field hand status in the pecking order of that world. As a support club of a white outlaw organization black MCs are being told, “You’re good enough to be a support club and “pay your taxes” but you’ll never be good enough to be a member of that club.” As a historian I have to point out the last time that unfair system was used on a group of people it started a movement called The Revolutionary War. Maybe you’ve heard of it. It’s called Taxation with No Representation and people went to war over it. Yet today, many African American MC’s who support the dominant white 1% club are being taxed with no representation. I suppose that’s another topic for another blog.

Please note there are mixed 1% clubs with The Chosen Few being the most dominant but common practice suggests that this is certainly not the practicing case. Please note I stress African American and not Hispanic. Hispanic members have been allowed to join and hold rank in white outlaw clubs but African Americans have not.

The second discussion point that the Juice storyline forces into the ether is the overall topic of race and racism in the biker community. I won’t speak to it from an outsider’s point of view and by that let me define outsider: any cager or Ghost Rider who despite being in the community, knows nothing about bikers and MC traditions. So, I will not speak on the generalities that those people have of white 1% Percenters and bikers in general. This blog has never been intended for them. This blog is for bikers inside the community and understand, respect and practice the behaviors that promote and support our biker life (not just our lifestyle).

It’s safe to say that historically the Harley Davidson brand had been a two wheeled phallic symbol of white American pride and power and until recently, that’s an image the brand had not refuted. However coupled with the fact that their constituency is getting older (dying) and the nations current economic times, Harley was forced to expand its consumer net resulting in them actively recruiting women and minorities; especially African Americans. While the jury is still out as to whether or not their efforts are being perceived as sincere or a marketing need, more people of color are considering the brand then ever before. It’s a fact not lost on some white outlaw’s.

Black Mike*, a member of a notorious 1% white outlaw club noted the increase of African Americans on Harleys.

“You can’t help but to notice it but I’m not noticing it in a bad way. I’m just noticing it, period.” When pressed to answer why its caught his attention he freely says, “‘cause brothas ride those rice burners. That’s what they do and honestly, that’s the disgusting thing. Worse then being black is riding a Japanese bike.” Mike sucks his teeth. “I just feel the motorcycle is an American machine and we should all be riding an American machine. British is fine but Jap? Get the fuck outta here.”

When it’s pointed out that the allegiance to American and British bikes (and the hatred of all things Japanese) stems from the Allies and Axis allegiances of WWII , Mike simply says: “So.”

Please note this author believes though a member of the WWII Axis, Italians enjoy a successful inclusion in the motorcycle community because they did not contribute in any way to the Pearl Harbor bombing. Americans have long memories and the generational hatred of all things Japanese is hand-in-hand related to that tragic incident. Italian motorcycles are accepted and respected for their craftsmanship and despite creating impressive machines, Japanese bikes are frowned upon.

Judging a biker by his brand of motorcycle or by his club however is as smart as judging a book by its cover. Shows like Gangland commonly (and in some cases rightfully so) link white outlaw clubs and their Harleys with groups such as the Aryan Brotherhood but upon closer examination those ties are usually more forged for economic reasons as opposed to shared racist visions.
“At first sight, an alliance of white supremacists and biker gang members seems an odd one,” says Edward Winterhalder, former leader of the Bandidos and now an author on gang culture: "Most of them are just regular guys who work during the week and have a little too much fun at the weekends. The majority of them are law-abiding, have families. They're just regular neighborhood guys. They love their Harley-Davidson motorcycles and love their brotherhood and the camaraderie of riding their bikes. They are very pro-government, they stand behind the flag. This is something they would never be involved in. Working with white supremacists would be an extremely unusual partnership."
While the Confederate flag and Nazi emblems evoke an immediate response that’s drenched in respective histories of violence and racist rhetoric, many bikers who wear those symbols are not actually racist. Nazi and SS symbolism were often used to “put off” the general populace and reinforce the bikers “on the outskirts” of society mentality. Again, deeper retrospection and investigation unearths a few truths.

Nazi symbols and regalia were first used by HAMC for shock value. It was a reminder to the general public, and to the 99%, that the HAMC is not like them, and that the HAMC will never be like them. Since then, some Hispanic and mixed race clubs have used swastikas in graffiti for a similar purpose primarily during the 60's and 70's with some old schoolers still using them today. We should note that The Mongols MC, a predominantly Mexican American 1% club, and a rival to the HAMC, has many white members with tattoos that incorporate Nazi symbolism. HAMC decided to internationally prohibit the use of Nazi symbolism among its brothers, because the German members, under German law, cannot wear any Nazi paraphernalia.

Toby*, 27 has been a member of a white outlaw for three years and he has no ties to any white elitist group and neither does anyone in his club however that doesn’t change the group from barring any consideration of a Black as a member.

“No way,” he says without a hint of disgust in his voice. “In the specific culture that I’ve been a part of for the last three years, there’s always been racism towards bikers of color.” When asked to provide specifics of that racism Toby flat out refuses. What’s very interesting however is that Toby quickly goes on to stress, “But don’t put it all on outlaw clubs. There are plenty of racist AMA clubs too.”

In speaking to Black Mike he makes some very clear points regarding “the airs” of biker racism:
 
”Some of us do it ‘cause it’s just bad ass. Yeah, the Nazi’s did some fucked up shit and they hurt a lot of people and if you’re wearing that symbol on you or your clothing people automatically associate that symbol with you doing some fucked up shit and hurting a lot of people. In other words, it keeps them the fuck away from you.” When I ask Black Mike to speak to the spider web elbow tattoo on his own elbow that is often associated with white Aryan gangs he looks down on it for a moment and takes his time to consider his words.

“I was locked up for a while and look, sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. I’d rather fight ten muthafucka’s with twenty muthafucka’s on my side. I don’t care if there are twenty blacks on my side, ten whites on the other…what I care about is just fuckin’ numbers and if the numbers with me so happen to be white, then so be it.” When pressed to ask how he feels about those tattoos and imagery now that he’s not locked up Mike goes on to say:

“What people don’t understand is that white pride and white power are different. All I’m sayin’ is that I’m proud of where my ancestors come from. I’m not sayin’ ‘cause they come from there and I come from them that I’m better then you. You guys call yourselves African American. No one says you’re racist ‘cause of that or even that you hate America.” Mike laughs for a moment and adds, “I do think I’m a better American than you ‘cause I’m riding a Harley though, no matter what color you are. That I feel in my bones. Fuck your color. What are you ridin’? If I’m racist, I’m racist towards the bike you ride, not who’s riding it.”

African American Harley rider Corey Jackson, 42 had been a lifelong Honda man not because of some hatred towards the American worker but because that’s what he could afford.

“We’ve all heard the reputation of Harley. It’s called a Harley ‘cause it’s ‘Hardly Working.” I’m not a mechanic and I don’t have money to burn so for the longest time a Harley was never a consideration.”

Asked if he felt discriminated against because he was riding a Honda Corey makes a very clear distinction: “By other African American bikers, no. They didn’t care what I was on. We saw each other and we gave the hand signal and kept it moving. The only sort of discrimination I felt was maybe by the idiots on crotch rockets who were going too fast or doing something too stupid on their bikes to wave or because they thought I wouldn’t wave to them ‘cause they were on those stupid bikes.” When I point out to Corey that he’s being discriminatory towards sportbiker riders he shrugs it off and says, “They’re fucking idiots. They ride like idiots. They act like idiots and they look like idiot. They’re fucking idiots.”

Finances presented themselves however and two years ago Corey did purchase a Harley and with that purchase came a few surprises.

“The white boys who refused to give me that wave before because I was on a Harley give me some sort of acknowledgement now either through a wave or head nod. But then sometimes I walk into a bar and I get the feeling some white boys are mad ‘cause now I’m riding a Harley. It’s lose-lose. They mad ‘cause all you can afford is Japanese ‘cause the American companies are ripping off their own citizens by overcharging. Finally you give in and buy American and who hates on you the most for buying American? Fuckin’ Americans.” Corey laughs and shakes his head. When asked what the solution to the conundrum was he doesn’t hold back:

“Fuck ‘em.. I don’t wanna sound racist but they make me racist. Fuck those white boys who think they own this shit ‘cause they don’t own a gotdamn thing. Fuck them.” The anger is clearly there in Corey. “We’re all Americans, right? Fuck that, how ‘bout we’re all motorcyclists, bikers, riders whatever but because of race or brand of bike they find reason to hate?” His disgust clearly showing, “This community would be so much greater, so much more powerful if we were united regardless of color or bike brand. In fact, if we were united as Americans regardless of color I doubt those Japanese guys could sell a bike over here. But because some Obama hating white boys think they the headmasters of this culture, it’s never gonna happen. They’re the ones making the Harley brand and the motorcycle culture weak with their racism and bullshit.”

In looking at the racial background of the HAMC the organization has never exhibited any coordinated efforts in support of their racial purity or hatred towards any particular other race. The popular media (Wikipedia) and law enforcement (FBI) have labeled them as such, due in part to the Nazi symbolism that was being used, and the fact that most of the charters are predominantly white. Many charters in the US, Canada, South America and Europe have always somewhat multiethnic. In the United States, you can find Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans in some of the charters though no African Americans. African American clubs are associated with the HAMC more in a support capacity but never have the option of any of their members graduating to the actual club as a fully patched in member. Ultimately some members may be prejudiced or racist, but as any good brother in a true MC, they will always put their brothers and the club first, before any other politics. A HAMC member is for HAMC first and foremost.

“Let’s be clear though,” Toby reports, “No one would even bring up having an African American prospect. It’s not even a thought. It’s an unwritten and understood rule that it’s just not going to happen.”  When pressed to expand on whether or not it could ever happen Toby is reflective for a moment before answering.

“I guess I could possibly see a time when clubs would integrate but not in the near future because all the people in charge are all old school and they’re not having it.” In offering a an alternative future Toby adds,  “Maybe when a younger generation comes into power integration might be on the table but today, right now, no way.”

In an interesting take, the scenario is thrown out that a reason why integration hasn’t happened is because despite not being allowed to ride with their white counterparts, some black clubs are willing to be support groups for white outlaw organizations. “I’ve seen a lot of [outlaw] clubs with all black support clubs so why go the extra mile to bring them into the club when they’re willing to be support?” Toby offers no opinion as to whether or not he believes African American support groups provide their own road bumps to equal brotherhood in the outlaw community.

Purposely digressing from the immediate conversation to an analogy of “real” world events I theorize loudly that if African Americans had accepted their separate and unequal status in America, more then likely segregation would still be the law of the land today. If the ones being oppressed don’t recognize the oppression then why would the oppressor stop oppressing especially when it’s to their advantage. If my analogy triggered any deeper thought from Toby to expand upon, he added nothing. I took his silence as silent agreement and decided not to press him on the matter.

 “You gotta take into consideration that a lot of these clubs have been around for a while and their views were formed from a time when things were different and they still believe what they believe today. I don’t see those views changing anytime soon especially right now. In fact I believe racism right now is the worst I’ve ever seen it right now.” Again when asked to provide examples or back up that claim, he refuses.

I reminded Toby that I met him at a bar frequented by his outlaw club. I was one of two black bikers in a venue full of white patrons and he approached me to talk about British bike I was riding. During that conversation he shared his club affiliation (I was wearing my prospect cut) and we debated, laughed and shared stories of shenanigans within our respective clubs and experiences riding. There was never any hesitation because of race.

“I’m a new generation biker who has grown up with friends of all races. You gotta keep in mind that I’m a lot younger then most guys in this sort of club. Age has a lot to do with the racist attitudes in bike clubs. It’s generational and my generation for the most part just isn’t like that.” I asked him if he ever became President of his chapter would he ever prospect an African American member. He laughs nervously and says, “I know cool black guys who ride. I’m taklin’ ‘bout some real guys who would make any club, black or white better but I’d still hesitate just ‘cause no one wants to be the first.” He gives it some more thought and says, “If the members in that charter wanted to do it, then it wouldn’t be up to me. It’d be a club vote and as President I’d go with that. Once a guy wears a cut, it doesn’t matter what color he is. All that matters are the colors on his back.”

Outlaw bikers have always prided themselves on being counter culture pariahs so to expect MC culture to follow the paths of the general populace is not the slightest bit logical. The DNA of a true biker is rebellious. Despite color or geographical boundaries, all bikers are essentially Confederates. The 60’s gave birth to the Civil Rights Movement but it did not spawn an integrationist movement within the biker world because ultimately there was no reason for it. Segregation in “polite” society failed because despite everything being separate, nothing was equal so those who had not, had to protest and march until they became a member of the “haves”.

In the MC world often times separate does mean equal not just in race, but in gender and sometimes even bike brands. African Americans have their own outlaw clubs where they can hold any rank within that club as good standing members of that organization. Why would an officer in a black outlaw club try to break the chain of a white outlaw club when everything is fine on the black side? It’s a simple matter to see why so many women would not want to deal with the misogynistic nature of a mixed gender club so female MC’s make sense when looking for equality regardless of gender. In other words, this is truly a case where the grass is not greener because we all may own different homes, but the grass we mow is universally shared. That grass is the passion and devotion to the life which includes our bikes and for some of us our clubs. For some of us the person mowing that grass may be white, or they may be black and in some cases they may be female but the point is, where’ all out there mowing that lawn.

I’ve been riding for ten years and I’ve ridden with many people, clubs and independents and to this day my closest friend in the MC community is a white boy. (I say white boy purposely and sarcastically). Joel and I have a friendship that didn’t start with the bikes but was forged into a permanent bond through our thousands of miles of riding together through rain, snow (yes, snow) on both coasts. One time we got pulled over in San Bernardino by a police officer and both Joel and I knew we were going to get tickets for doing over 100mph but the cop said this:

“I’ve been watching you boys for a while now. Y’all been weaving in and out of traffic. Honestly, it’s beautiful. I can tell you guys have been riding together for a while but cut that shit out. The drivers out here don’t drive as good as you boys ride and I don’t feel like picking up your bodies off my highway.”

Joel is white and we share the same motorcycle mother and father and he will always be my friend and my brother. I’d sponsor him into any African American club I’m a part in because regardless of color or his disgusting taste in skinny women, that man is my biker brother and I’d die for him just as much as I live to ride with him.

There’s a reason why the MC community never had a Martin Luther King Jr. or a Malcolm X. We had a Sonny Barger and Tobie Gene Livingston and like any leaders, each had their respective flaws I’m sure but to judge or compare those flaws against what general society considers a great leader would be a tragic mistake. The leaders of this country are formed from the weakness of the country. In other words, when there is a need this country has historically produced that great leader who will lead. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. are clear examples of that. When the MC community recognizes that need for that sort of leadership, that person will come.

Until that day comes,  Jim Crow will have global members in the MC community on both the black and white side.

* Please note to get these bikers to agree to speak freely on this week’s topic, their names and the names of their clubs were either not used or altered entirely to maintain their anonymity. The staff of Sucka MC Free appreciates their willingness to speak candidly on the subject and share their experiences.