Lousiana Biker Magazine Louisiana Biker Magazine Jul2016 | Página 26

The Truth About MC’s    When Frosty asked, or more like expected me to join him in working on this new magazine Louisiana Biker, almost immediately I realized what part in it I really wanted to take. God love him, he pretty much lets me do my own thing and I was so excited (still am). My heart is with showing the truth about the motorcycle club. Much more often than not these “dirty, no good, mean bikers” are actually good ol’ boys and I want to show this. There is truly a sad misconception of club brothers being no good, emotionless criminals and anyone who hangs around in the biker world is nothing but trouble also. Or so I found out one morning at church I’m into trouble because of the “gangs” I hang out with. I’m still chuckling over that one. I was even told I was up to no good by another person….wow!        Gray Ghost Freddie Grappe invited me down to Zwolle for Special Olympics. So on May 5th I set my cameras up at the Festival Grounds in Zwolle and waited. At 9am, I was not disappointed when Freddie came through the gate leading the parade of 22 bikes and 24 riders circling the pavilion and all the kids. Oh my gosh, those kids were grinning from ear to ear; they were some happy babies. And it wasn’t just those sweet faces grinning big, but so were the teachers and parents. But the biggest grins were actually on the faces of those "big, ol’ mean bikers." The Ghosts didn’t leave it there, but also gave a donation of $3,450.00 to Sabine Parish Special Olympics. Clubs and organizations represented were Gray Ghosts MC, Noble Sons RC, Soldiers of the Cross MM, A.B.A.T.E of Louisiana, Patriot Guard Riders, and Independents.        On about May 4th, a beautiful 2-year old baby girl, Willow Rain Renteria-Molina went missing and was found a day later passed away. The Bandidos wanted to help with the funeral and the tombstone. To achieve this, on May 21st they held a benefit at the Infirmary just south of Leesville. There were bikers from several clubs; bikers from MC’s to independent riders from all across the state who showed. A large percentage of these bikers are fathers and the idea of anything happening to a 2-year old little girl or boy affects them just as strongly as it would anyone else, maybe even, sometimes a little stronger. The Bandidos raised enough money to pay for Willow’s funeral and tombstone thanks to the Central Chapter Bandidos. I wish I was able to name all the clubs who attended, but there is no way possible. At one point I went out to the parking lot and not only was it completely filled with bikes, but areas around the parking lot were filled as well, all for Willow Rain. This is how bikers truly are, not how the media would have you believe.        I grew up being told you are judged by the company you keep. But I’ve also always been told to never be judgmental or to stereotype. If I am judged by the company I keep, then I am an amazing person because I only hang around amazing people. To anyone who would normally read this magazine, I know I’m preaching to the choir. But if one person picks up this magazine at a bar, restaurant, shop, or wherever who isn’t normally in the company of bikers and especially biker clubs; my hope is you will give them a chance and see them as they really are. In many cases I would trust these guys before I would a lot of other types. Bikers are probably the most patriotic of any group of people outside of military, but a huge percentage is military. If it came to defending our country on the home front, bikers will be at the forefront; you can take that to the bank.        Let me ask you, the reader one question: how often would you be at a huge event and feel not only completely safe, but know your possessions were completely safe as well? A.B.A.T.E. of Louisiana holds our annual state rally every year in conjunction with the Confederates MC Annual Spring Blow Out at Bonnie & Clyde Trade Days. This year I had my cameras and laptop in my car; I also had money and 26 some other valuables, but I never once worried about locking the car. I even slept in my car and knew all was safe. When I go to CoCI (Confederation of Clubs & Independents) or to our State A.B.A.T.E. (American Bikers Active Towards Education) of Louisiana, Inc. meetings I don’t worry either. Sure, there are bad people in all walks of life, including some churches. But I feel a lot safer in the biker world than I do in any other. And as I’ve mentioned before in a previous issue, I’ve never been mistreated, much less disrespected by any club member and this is coming from an outsider and woman who has been allowed a tiny bit into a man’s world. Bottom line, show respect and get respect. Maybe everyone should strive to be as loyal and trustworthy as these “dirty, no good motorcycle clubs.” If you want to fight for biker rights, how to be a part of fighting against profiling, be a part of increasing biker safety then you should come to COCI the last Sunday of ev ery odd month and to A.B.A.T.E. of Louisiana, Inc the 2nd Saturday of every odd month; both meetings take places in Alexandria. Look for the write up on each one’s May meeting in this issue for addresses and times. I’m going to step back off of my soap box for now…for now! Normally I wouldn’t add Scripture into one of my articles, although I was born, raised, and still am a Southern Baptist, but I just felt these two verses were very appropriate.  Matthew 7:1-2 King James Version (KJV) 1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. by Stacey "Snoopy" Conly 27