Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs
by Joshua Dupre
Before a person can begin to understand the
importance of an Outlaw Motorcycle Club (OMCs),
they must understand what that is. An Outlaw
Motorcycle Club is a very unique society of very few
men who choose to be a part of something bigger
than themselves and a brotherhood beyond any that
cannot be found elsewhere. Its origin and structure
evolved from the Military many years ago, utilizing
the leadership structure and rank system.
Furthermore, there is a very unique few
who make up the 1%er Outlaw Motorcycle Club
community. Clubs such as the Bandidos, Hells Angels,
Outlaws, Pagans, Mongols, and Sons of Silence are all
a part of the 1%er Motorcycle Club community. The
1%er designation was labeled by the AMA (American
Motorcycle Association) back in 1947 in a statement
they wrote for their magazine, stating that 99% of
motorcycle riders were law abiding citizens and that
only 1% were criminals (“AMA 1947”).
The earliest form of Outlaw was Jesus Christ himself,
it’s because Jesus didn't fit into the religious mold, or
the government mold like the other 99% of society.
Jesus and his followers were the 1% that didn't "bow
down” to the worlds ways. They were in the world,
but not of the world. Jesus was an outlaw, but he was
not a criminal. Being an "outlaw" doesn't mean you
are a criminal; it just means you don't conform to the
world system or its leaders and its officers.
Many people will disagree with the
importance of Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs. This is
largely due to the lack of understanding and positive
exposure to what these clubs do for our communities
and some will dispute the negative claims while
maintaining the integrity of their beliefs of the OMCs.
Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs date as far back
as post World War II era when soldiers came home
longing for continued brotherhood. They have always
played a major role in urban cities social culture.
Their existence, although grotesque to some, has
always served their communities in a positive light.
The actions of individuals at times are spotlighted by
the media, which often is government driven, to gain
support for banning identifying patches (also known
as colors) of the OMCs. For example, the U.S.’s ATF
agency tried to ban the Mongols Motorcycle Club’s
patches in 2013. However, it would have broken the
First Amendment rights of the club. The Government
wanted to ban the club from being able to wear
their patches publically, due to a few incidents of
select individuals who are most likely not in the
club anymore, since Clubs often police their own.
OMCs all follow strict guidelines or bylaws which
consi