Those People

Sucka Free MC is proud to have 
Bandit, President Founder Ryders Don’t Play MC as this weeks guest columnist

I wanted to make the circuit aware of a situation that’s proven to be incredibly frustrating for me as Founder of Ryders Don’t Play MC out of Long Island, NY.

The club has been searching and reaching out to commercial realtors for months to start-up a respectable business that would generate income for both our club and our respective families. Not unlike many clubs, our vision is to lease a property large enough to accommodate a business that can financially rewarding and at the same time provide enough real estate space for club members to store and work on their bikes.
That’s a very fancy way of saying we want a functional club house.

Unfortunately the task has not been easy and the issue has nothing to do with location. The business ideas that we have to generate revenue within the facility haven’t been an issue either. It's when these commercial realtor's or property managers find out that I'm part of a "motorcycle Club" are all bets off. They do not want to conduct business with any sort of "Biker’s" or clubs because of mass media perception of what bikers do and who they are.

To quote one of the people in question: "Running a shop is not a problem at all but if you are part of a motorcycle club then our commercial associations will not associate themselves with those types of people. We are sorry for the inconvenience even though we have biker friends."

“Those types of people…”

To that comment I ask, “What are we a disease?!” Are we scum’s of the earth or some new generation black plague and you, your neighbors and your commercial associations will die if you come into contact with us? ” Or is he referring to those types of people who have fought for human rights, have served and protected this community he lives in? Maybe he’s referring to those types of people who have left their families to fight in a war so he can live a life of freedom. No, wait. Maybe he’s actually referring to the doctor who gets up in the middle of the night to work an overnight shift at the hospital and in his off time rides a motorcycle?

Those type of people?

Obviously it doesn't matter that I'm a hardworking citizen and that members in my club are also hard working individuals and that we all have a families to provide for.

It’s ironic therefore that these high society people or persons are willing to accept our help when in need or crisis. It's essential for our so called "motorcycle club" to raise funds among other things but when it comes to actually dealing with us they don't want any part of us. Sonny Barger has a famous quote that speaks volumes to this:

“The good we do no one remembers but the bad is forever.”

I'm beyond frustrated and disgusted and wanted to make sure to share with the circuit what's going on with the hypocrisy in our very own community.So what exactly is this imbecile saying to me? Without using any Jedi mind tricks I can tell you off the cuff what’s running through their heads when they look at me:

"This man is part of a motorcycle club!" What would make them come to this assumption? Is it my tattoos all over my arms or maybe it’s the one that’s tatted on the back of my head? Could it be the stainless steel biker rings I wear or is it the way I talk? I can tell you it's definitely not the way I talk because I hadn't even opened my mouth when I had one gentleman say to me "You should have told me over the phone that you are part of a motorcycle club."

What the hell does that mean?

Should I have told him that I’m Latino or that I’m married? I have an idea. I’ll create my own Playboy spread with my picture and a list of my likes and dislikes that’ll include the fact that I like long walks on the beach, the kind of foods I eat and most importantly what side of the bed I sleep on. I’m being accused of a crime and that crime is being a biker!

What the hell is this world coming to? (That was a rhetorical question. I actually don’t expect an answer on that).

Now I am going to use my Jedi mind tricks and say I know what you’re thinking so I’ll answer your question even before you ask: No, I didn’t go there with my club colors; I went in my uniform from work. I’d like to think it wasn’t my race that was the concern for him or maybe he didn’t like my work clothes.

If this man only knew how many clubs out there have business/clubhouses and done more for their respective communities than the damn government of the United States he’d pay a real MC to actually move in and set up shop. When motorcycle clubs do things for the community there is no fine print. There are no conditions. Bikers live in a black and white world where there’s right and wrong but society using that black and white lens paints us in the black as villains no matter what we do or say.

Like any sincere people, when biker’s do things we do it from the kindness of our hearts and a real place. We do those turkey runs for Thanksgiving to ensure the less fortunate have something to eat. Biker Toy Runs are legendary and responsible for making sure thousands (if not more) of children aren’t left without a toy for the holidays when their parents may not be able to afford them. I even felt like telling this man that when your insurance or Medicaid denies your family for a surgery, we’re those people who come out rain or shine and help raise that money for you.

Yes...those people.

So I want to declare that I’m proud to be a citizen of those people nation. I’m proud to be part of a community who gives freely and asks for nothing in return. I’m proud to a biker.

Next time a biker comes knocking on your door to conduct business doesn’t be so quick to close the door. Invite him in and take it for what it is and not what he is because you might end up just liking those people.

Yes...those people. 

Love and Respect
Bandit
Founder of
Ryders Don’t Play MC