We received two comments to our post:
(link)
Both of them I thought generated good food for thought. So much so that my response to the comments got a little long and the comment gig wouldn't take it (plus the link I included). I just don't understand that. I mean it ain't like we write a long post now again.
Anyway we include our response to the comments here. To see the comments you will have to read the above post:
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Damn George, ya got me. When writing the post I didn't even think of the
term "enthusiasts."
Generally when I think of the term enthusiast, I think of somebody like Jay Leno. He's exhibits knowledge re: wide variety of motorcycles and their history. Whether or not he is a "Biker" I do not know. Don't know him. Or maybe somebody like the Dragon, who tips us off often to some good stuff. Obviously a biker, an enthusiast and an activist.
My experience in riding a wide variety of MC's has been dictated by what I could afford at the time. And although I prefer a Harley I have no trouble admitting that:
A. Harleys are no longer the "All American made motorcycle" and
B. BMW is the better machine.
I'm to old to ride sport bikes which is a good thing. I would kill myself on one fer sure.
Having said that, I don't know that I would qualify as a motorcycle enthusiast. I Probably need to think on that classification some more.
However you are probably correct in pointing the the negative or derogatory meaning I ascribe(d) to the term "wannabe".
So I found myself rethinking the term along these lines (feel free call me on it. I like it when I am forced to think or re-evaluate my positions. If I can not defend them, I need to change them).
But yes, there are "wannabe" bikers who will no doubt, through learning and experiencing, someday become "bikers" (when I use that term I am not referring specifically to 1%'s).
There are probably serious "wanna be" bikers who will never become bikers by virtue of the fact that it just isn't in them. That's not a put down. I wanted to be any number of things as a child. Then found I was a "wanna be" that wasn't "gonna be" based on either:
A. My lack of commitment to put in the time, energy and learning it would take to become a "be", and/or
B. I just ain't smart enough to "be" somethings, and
C. I do not have the ability to "be" others. I could never "be" a good basketball player. Not tall enough and can't jump (can't make a basket either if that means anything).
Sometimes I think what we become we become, not by virtue of any pre-planning. It just happens. Maybe it's the "unwritten script" gig.
Then there is the wannabe's I would be referencing in the post that either perceives themselves or wants others to perceive them as something they are not. Yet or never will be. They will talk the talk but not walk the walk.
And then of course as you pointed there are the recreational riders. Some of whose sole purpose is to earn enough money to recreate some more. Whats that panty commercial that goes
"makes me look like I'm wearing nothing," I wish there was a way we could tell tight off the bat.
Initially it was my intention to use the word "poser". But then I thought, naw that's to derogatory and went with "wanna be"(don't know why I took that into consideration must have been a day when the meds were working).
In retrospect I probably should have stuck with the term "poser."
The "wannabe" that actually wants to be, will probably take the time to learn about the culture and the traditions and most hopefully, the traditions of brotherhood and respect that unfortunately, in my experience anyway, are two terms that are losing their meaning all to quickly.
In some situations it is extremely important to know who is what. Unfortunately you don't often learn that until in a clinch and you find that those who "got your back" when the chips ain't down, when the time comes the time comes "to be or not to be" (my apologies to Shakespeare).
But then that is not relegated to the Motorcycle world only. Sometimes I see the motorcycle world as nothing more than a microcosm of the population in general, as the population in general infiltrates the world of motorcycling.
A good example is Tony Pan Sanfilipos article "where is ABATE." Which was written in 1991 but is just as applicable today as it was then.
It can be found here:
http://www.usff.com/BOLT/articles/0498pan.html
ABATE no longer means today what did when it began. It has taken bad hits from different agendas and losing touch with it's mission and culture. Whether that is evolution or de-evolution is subject to personal interpretation.
ABATE in the past and the Patriot Guard more recently have run into problems created by individuals who either had little experience in the world of motorcycling and did not know the rules or thought the rules did not apply.
CMA is another example of an organization that, in some areas, has lost influence by virtue of their losing touch with with their original mission. And in some cases through actions that actually appear hypocritical (at least on the surface). My opinion is based only on observation. I do not believe that this has been an intentional move on CMA's part. I believe it has occurred as numbers of people joined who were looking for like minded persons to ride with but are afraid of the original mission. This dilutes the of seriousness CMA'ers who are committed to the cause, some of whom I know who have expressed the same concerns.
The same in ABATE. People join for the camaraderie of riding with like minded people but are not willing to do the work it takes to achieve the original goals of ABATE. As these organizations strive for warm bodies, any warm bodies to increase their ranks, they often times dilute their original strength.
Those people who "buy" the patch, yet do nothing to further the cause, I personally will now refer to as "posers" as opposed to "wannabe's."But then again, that also is subject to change should I learn that it is not correct. It is important to be able to change ones mind when presented with new information. For instance, there is no statistical proof that, "LOUD PIPES SAVE lives". Having said that, I still like loud pipes.
Yes George, I too respect the person who has been on only one PGR Mission when you consider the legions of motorcyclists that one would hope would participate in such a cause but do not.
However, I also believe that PGR in order to protect itself from the fate of other groups needs to be vigilant. Again, that is just my "opinion". Does the PGR want some person whom they do not know, has been on one mission, bought the patch/banner, running around out there engaging in some activity that could bring dishonor or bad press to the organization?
All organizations by their very nature must change and/or evolve in order to survive.
Effective organizations do not remain stagnant, but are dynamic changing to meet the changing demands of the world in which we live. The positive change however, does not
come from altering your original mission, but by creating new and enhanced ways of
achieving the mission and if warranted, expanding the mission. Any organization that grows will experience growing pains and threats from within and from without. They will have to devise ways to protect against such. At all times the original mission/focus must be key. Ask IBM or Google, Then ask Xerox, Kodak or Microsoft.
You leave a patch club, you get rid of any identifiers that may lead others to believe you are still affiliated with that group. That is enforced.
There is wisdom in that. You leave a police force you give up your badge.
You leave the service you give up your right to walk on a base and order folk around.
I myself have taken off patches that identify me with certain groups when I no longer represent the group or feel the group no longer represents me. That's not an indictment against the group. It is simply a recognition that things have changed (though I must admit I have worn particular patches for the sole reason of pissing some off and creating a dialogue, I would not recommend that strategy to others).
So in essence, a lot of words to say, George you are correct. I did misuse the term "wanna be" and appreciate your calling my attention to it. I will be attempting to be more careful in how I use that term. I'm afraid it has become a bad habit and will be difficult. But I will try.
Enthusiast may not be a word I will use often as I misspell the damn thing every time I try. I misspell to many as it is.
To anonymous:
I think I understood the comment though I am not sure. I hope you will correct me if I got it wrong.
I was not advocating that anybody "follow" the lead of the MC's clubs
lifestyle per se. It may be that I did a poor job explaining my position.
What I was attempting to point out is that there is a large segment of the Motorcycle population today that does not understand the commitment a patch holder must have to earn and maintain that patch. It is that level of commitment and passion that should be respected, appreciated and I wish could be duplicated in other organizations.
In most cases that patch is more dear to the patchholder that his family of origin.
You may not agree with the lifestyle and no one is advocating that you do. In fact, most patch holders could care less what you believe. But you best respect the commitment and passion that person has for his patch because failure to do so will get you educated. I have seen it happen.
In the past anyway, and things do change, the %1 percent patch holder would die for that patch. Would you die for yours?
Every patch and pin and even ear rings a %1 wears means something and is usually earned.
Yet I have seen many so called "bikers" wearing "in memory of patches" that either:
A. Have no idea who the person was that died, or
B. did absolutely nothing to help the person and/or visit them while that person for who they a wear a patch was dying.
In my mind that is disrespect and makes me want to puke.
Admittedly things have changed in the %1 arena also, as we see more roll over on a dime to rat out their bros. to save their own ass. So change occurs everywhere.
It is the commitment, traditions, brotherhood and passions I refer to. They are being lost everywhere.
Were the general motorcycling population to have the same commitment and passion a %1's has for their lifestyle, for bikers rights and motorcycle safety as opposed to riding for every "doggie" run that comes down the pike, bikers rights and motorcycle safety would no longer be an issue.
A Biker takes care of his/her brother first!
If every Citizen in this country were to demonstrate the same passion and commitment to the principles on which this country was founded on then we would be truly independent and not the myths "Harley Davidson" tries to perpetuate or suffering from the illusion created by the "oligarchy".
you state:
"I earn my patches everyday by doing as many good things as I am called upon to do and hopefully contributing to the good of society not the moral decay."
By that I hope you mean that besides waving to bikers you pass (if you do that), that you stop to see if you can help one broke down on the side of the road all by him/her self.
By that I hope you mean you have not gone off and left a member of your group stranded on the side of the road.
By that I hope you mean that you support your veterans by riding in their poker runs come rain or cold (even if a football game is on).
By that I hope you mean you have not broken a promise to meet somebody at a certain time and place because it was to cold or to wet to ride, including the above mentioned veterans poker runs and runs designed to raise money for a downed biker or bikers rights (and MC is your only transportation) or something more fun came up.
That the only way that promise would get broken is your bike broke down.
By that I hope it means that you have the cajones to say how you feel about patch holders to their face if you can put it in writing. Signing as anonymous may be an indication that you do not have cajones enough to stand behind your moral conviction.
Due in part to my somewhat cynical nature I am often suspect of persons who chose the word "morals" when comparing themselves to others. I have read of persons who
advocate and live by a strict moral code never violating it. Just never met any.
NOW AS TO BOOBIES! YES, I HOPE THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN ALL AGREE ON.
However that too has been an area of change. There was a time when in both the "biker" and the "hippie" arenas flashing wasn't an issue because so many ladies just went topless.
SO YES YOU ARE CORRECT. WE MUST WORK ON THAT!
Damn this became a post as opposed to a comment.
Below is a link that we posted many moons ago w/ the hope of keeping a few folk out of trouble. It has changed a bit since we posted it so we will re-post it. Knowledge, agreeable or not, is always a good thing.
(link)
MOTORCYCLE CLUB EDUCATION Not everything in this post applies to all things everywhere and things are always changing. But ya got to know what a triangle is before you play around with Pythagorean Theory.
HEY RIDE FREE WHILE YA CAN.
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