Written by Bryte of B.R.A.T.S MC, QUEENS, NY
featuring PRECIOUS P-ONE of THE FLYING PANTHERS MC, KENTUCKY
My name is Bryte and I have been on the set for close to 15 years. My time has been divided as an Independent rider, a member of an all female club for close to 10 years and now my husband and I are currently in the B.R.A.T.S MC out of Queens, NY which is a co-ed club.
I have been a supporter, committed reader and participant of the SUCKA FREE BLOG/MOVEMENT for the past 5 or 6 months. We have talked about Protocol, pop up clubs, other entities, PRO’s, and a host of other very timely topics. One of my favorite topics covered here and in many other groups that I belong to is women on the set. These discussions have included female MC’s; whether women should rock MC on their cuts, and whether or not women have to follow the same protocols as men do when they are trying to come out on the set as a new club. There is however one topic that has not yet been talked about on this blog and that is women who wear the designation ‘PROPERTY OF” on their cuts. Disclaimer fam – I do not wear PROPERTY OF on my cuts, as I am a fully patched member of a co-ed club. However this topic is very near and dear to my heart for a few reasons. First I am a married to a man who wears MC on his cuts so I truly understand the mindset and philosophy, and second I completely respect and honor the tradition that has been in place long before we entered into this MC world.
So this phrase PROPERTY OF….what exactly does it mean on the MC set? Let’s look at history. The men who started MC clubs had fought together in WWII and had ridden motorcycles during the war and so basically they wanted to keep the traditions of this bond that they had formed, and thus starting these MENS CLUBS aka MCs. So of course no women were allowed. Now you may be wondering - these fellows just came home from war and it might seem only natural that they would want the company of women as much as possible. WRONG!!! Let’s face some facts that may be hard to swallow for some of the women who are reading this. Whenever a woman comes into a mix of men and can have a say, their brotherhood is immediately in jeopardy. Not totally the fault of the woman, but a mere fact. The men sizing her up, she sizing them up next thing you know jealousy, envy and revenge are set in motion. NO MORE BROTHERHOOD! True MC’s cannot take this risk. So the “no women” policy makes perfect sense to me. So it was decided at some point to allow women to be associated with the clubs by way of their husbands, significant others or men who sponsored them but not as members or full patch holders. These women would be honored as “Property Of” their men or “Property of” the club.
I’m sure if you would go to any dictionary, you would find that the word Property is defined as something of value that one possesses either tangible, such as land, or intangible, such as patents, copyrights, etc. So right there, many of you have already taken it and put a negative connotation on the word. To those of you who feel that way before you read this complete blog, I will say we are not talking about academics here, we are not talking about Webster’s meaning - we are talking about what PROPERTY OF means on the MC set because it is something totally different.
For those who are believers the Bible, we accept that the man is the head and we accept the same thing in the MC world. It says in Ephesians 5:22-24 “wives submit to your own husbands as to the Lord for the husband is head of the wife as also Christ is head of the church and he is the Savior of the body, therefore just as the church is subject to Christ so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything”. Everything includes the MC world.
My first exposure to women wearing that designation was when I attended the Round Up in Rockingham, NC in 2005. I was down there with my cousin and his MC, who are traditionalists and I met these sisters. These had to be some of the most interesting, together and straight up women I have ever met. We ate, drank, slept and partied together for the entire week in that campsite and these women taught me the large majority of what I know today about MC protocol and culture. When I asked them exactly what this PROPERTY OF on their cuts meant, one said to me that it meant FREEDOM. I didn’t understand it on that day and I didn’t go any further with my questioning, however I have grown and matured in this MC world and now I get it. But since I am not Property Of, I asked one of the most respected, knowledgeable and classy women on the set, who is PROPERTY OF THE FLYING PANTHERS MC out of KENTUCKY, if she would be so kind as to allow me to interview her to lend some authority and validity to this blog.
Me: Hi Precious I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak with you about the topic of women being Property in the MC world. So how long have you been with Flying Panthers MC and how did you become part of the club
Precious: I’ve been with Flying Panthers MC about 17 years. My husband’s father was the founder and so I was hanging around him (we weren’t married at the time)
Me: Did you know anything about being Property then?
Precious: When I first came in I didn’t know too much but the older Property ladies of the club schooled me, and said this is how we do things,, I pretty much hung up around my husband. One of the ladies took me aside and gave me the rules. One of the first things I was told is that I was a supporter. I questioned why I couldn’t wear what he wore and she broke it down to me. I was told a few others things that I can’t mention here and I said I could handle that. We support our brothers in what they do in all aspects
ME: Ok so explain to our readers just what it means for a woman to be Property Of
PRECIOUS: I would just say to sum it all up we are supporters. One way or another. We support our husbands, our boyfriends and our sponsors. We back our men up so you know it’s like….well I don’t want to compare it to marriage. We support them unconditionally we don’t have to think about it. And they have never put us in any dangerous situation but we back our men up 100%. And they back us up 110% because they value us. You know you take care of what you value whether it is your home or your car it’s your Property and you take care of it and it’s not looked at as a bad thing. It’s your Property and you don’t let anyone do anything crazy to your Property
ME I have heard some women who are Property say that their vest is just like a wedding band
PRECIOUS I guess there is a lot of truth to it. But I guess the reason I don’t compare it to a wedding band to me because a woman will leave a club. They will walk away from their club before they will walk away from their marriage. There are some comparisons but I was counseled not to allow the club to come before my marriage. Unmarried women, I can see how the vest is like a wedding band.
ME Tell me about the women who wear Property of?
PRECIOUS We are looked at differently than other women on the set. We get a lot of respect from our brothers and brothers in other clubs. Not every woman can wear Property. Im head Property but I don’t tell my brothers what to do. But they do value my opinion. Properties for us, you have to be respectable and if I am seeing something in one of the girls that I don’t like I will address it. This is a responsibility that was given to me. I will talk to the lady if I have a problem, I pretty much take care of the things that the men don’t want to deal with regarding the women, and it comes with a lot of responsibility. I want people to see me for me and not judge me for what is on my back.
ME: What is the difference between being Property of a Club and Property of your Man?
PRECIOUS: When a woman wears “Property of “her clubs name” it means they are
Not attached to a particular man in the club. But it also does not mean they are attached to every man in the club either. But we all are taken
care of the same way; we all get the same amount of respect from our club and other clubs
ME: There are so many negative stereo types attached to women who are Property of. Let’s dispel some of them.
Stereotype: Women who are Property have low self-esteem
PRECIOUS: Untrue! My self-esteem is very high and I wear my Property patch proud.
You have to have high self-esteem in order to wear it. You cannot feel down about yourself and be able to defend the wearing of the patch. I feel worse about my weight than I do my patch. Lol I feel that any woman who wears Property has to have high esteem in order to withstand all the negative reaction you sometimes get. And people who think negatively don’t have the courage to say it to our face. People try to make you feel like you shouldn’t wear Property. It’s not the first thing I say to people but I willtell you because I am not ashamed of it. I will never stand up against the wall to hide it If you don’t like it, it’s not my problem.
ME: Stereotype: Women who wear Property get passed around by all the men in the club:
PRECIOUS: Untrue! As a matter of fact you don’t have to wear a Property patch to get passed around. There are plenty of women who were no cuts at all and they get passed around. And nobody has any issue with that. I know women that are not Property in family clubs and sports bike clubs they get passed around. I have seen it. But let’s just say a woman with a club Property patch on does want to be with multiple men in their club, if that is the case then that’s their business.
ME: Stereotype: Women who are Property cannot own or ride their own bikes
PRECIOUS: Untrue! I ride! And I know other Property who ride and they are not riding bitch unless they choose to.
ME: What would you say are the advantages of being Property?
PRECIOUS: The advantages are that we are more respected than women on the set who ride with all female clubs or are in co-ed clubs. Some people may call it fear because once men see my patch they don’t approach or go there with me. So it is a feeling of freedom. The freedom to me is when you are with your people. When we are around people I move around with no worries. It’s one of those things like when you are with your family they are your protection your freedom is being part of a nation of women who wear Property patches and we are part of a larger nation. I know some will look at it like we don’t get to do this and that that in our Nation, but we are like their QUEENS!! It’s like we support them 100%nd they support us 110%. The freedom is in the wearing of the PROPERTY OF PATCH.
ME: And what are some of the disadvantages?
PRECIOUS: I can’t think of any.
ME: What advice would you give a woman who has to decide if she wants to be Property of?
PRECIOUS: Even if it is your husband boyfriend or just your “boo” I would still say be around the club and hang around and make sure. I wouldn’t suggest just jumping in. Hang around and get the feel. Move around that person who wants you to be their Property. If you have a sponsor, go with them to events and make sure that you talk to other properties. The thing about a bunch of women, they won’t see eye to eye and get along about everything. But these are ladies you have to support your club with so Get to know them. If I know that a sister has a sponsor in my club I will talk to her about what it is because I would rather her know the real deal.
ME: Why did you decide to be Property of the club and not your husband’s Property? How does he feel about that?
PRECIOUS: Because I was Property of my club before we got married and he is ok with that. My commitment to my husband is as his wife; my commitment as Property is to my club. And my husband is NATIONAL PRESIDENT AND I AM FIRST LADY AND WE ARE ONE! lol That is even more protection for me. First Lady is just that! But I don’t need to wear a first lady patch. I want people to first know me, when you know me then you will know my title. I don’t want any kind of special treatment. Treat me the way you treat the rest of my ladies. Just get to know me first before you know the weight I carry. When you see me I have the same thing on as my sister so you respect us equally. I am a people person I am not going to push my title. I don’t want people to prejudge me. If they know I’m Property first they may have negative preconceived notions that we discussed earlier. The respect that we have from our brothers won’t allow us to act crazy.
ME: Precious how you feel about female bikers?
PRECIOUS: I have respect for them. I think it’s a beautiful thing. They should know protocol. I realize that being Property ain’t for everyone, but you should at least know about it. The only thing I don’t like about female MCs are those who feel that the only thing that they have to do is ride. You also need to know protocol. When you know protocol and history they won’t be so ready to think being Property of is negative and always feel like they have to challenge the men. If you don’t educated yourself and learn then you are gonna be pissed off and mad cause you can’t do certain things. When you put these rags on you have a certain responsibilities.
ME: How do your brothers in your club really treat you?
PRECIOUS: We are very protected by our brothers. If you ever disrespect a Property you will be handled. It’s almost like disrespecting somebodies mama. It’s gonna be a problem and there will be no discussion and no questions asked. We are valuable and we are valued by other brothers and our sisters and our nation
ME: How do you feel about not being able to vote?
PRECIOUS: Someone complained about me not being able to vote, and I told
her that this is not about my civil rights. Until Obama became President, you probably didn’t vote! Lol When it’s time to vote in November, being Property doesn’t stop me. Listen I don’t involve myself in the men’s issues. I’m part of a men’s club so that is not my business and it’s not my problem. They are the ones that take care of that, We don’t vote and we are taken care of regardless of whether we vote or not.
ME: So how does someone go about being Property if they are currently not Property of any club or a man?
PRECIOUS: The best way to know about Property is to talk to a Property. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Do not go by what your neighbor tells you. Go to a dominant club if you don’t know any Property. I think coming from a man he can tell you some things about Property but is more valid if it comes from someone a woman who lives it. A man doesn’t live it. Go to one of the ladies. Approach them respectfully don’t come with no attitude. Like “if you don’t mind can I speak with you about Property?” There will be some things that she can tell you and things that she can’t. I have spoken to women who I am the one and only Property they know. But I am open. Do not just go off what you hear and even then you can’t go by what you see. You may need an explanation. lol It’s better to ask another Property if you want to know more about it.
ME: Well my sister I want to thank you so very much for granting me this interview and being so candid and informative and putting a face on this misunderstood part of the MC world. I respect you so very much and appreciate you for who you are.
PRECIOUS: You are very welcomed.
----------------------------------------------------------
As Precious stated, being Property of “ain’t for everybody”, and if it ain’t for you
then don’t do it. There are those who wear the PROPERTY OF designation on their cuts to show their unconditional love and support for their man and his MC and there are those of us women who wear it in our hearts. At this time, I am in the latter group as my husband is the head of our home because he leads, he provides, and he protects our family. He submits to God and I submit to him. If ever the day comes that our current club decides to transition to a traditional MC or my husband decides to transition to a traditional MC, I will proudly and with honor wear “PROPERY OF ROCK” on the back of my Rags as another expression of my unconditional love, respect and support for him and his brothers in his club.
Thank you.
Due to the demand for the topic and its controversial subject matter, the Property series will continue with Pt. II and III if necessary.
Thanks for reading as usual.
Due to the demand for the topic and its controversial subject matter, the Property series will continue with Pt. II and III if necessary.
Thanks for reading as usual.
No comments:
Post a Comment