LJ’s Thoughts On The FX Show “Son’s Of Anarchy
I have just finished watching the second episode of the new FX show “Son’s of Anarchy”. I have been a fan of the FX Show “The Shield” for years and I have to say, I have enjoyed “Sons of Anarchy” so far. The show has cool bikes and lots of action!
As a Member of an Outlaw Motorcycle Club, I can see many mistakes already in the show. One thing that really surprised me is how people have reacted to the show and me personally. People who know I’m a member of a Motorcycle Club are asking me, “Are you guys really like that???” Most of these people have known me for years! This is just after a two episodes of “Sons of Anarchy” their wondering if I’m leading some kind of double life.
Can you imagine if a show about criminal killer Florists came out? How many people would ask the local florist if they where really like that? One fact of life about being a Biker I have come to except is, it’s real easy for people to think of Bikers as the bad guys. It’s always been that way. I wonder how many Cops had people ask them the same question when the Shield came out? I also wonder how many Police Officers who watch the Shield and know that show is fiction will watch “Sons of Anarchy” and think that’s how Motorcycle Clubs really are! The show “Sons of Anarchy” is fiction and it is way over the top.
Son’s of Anarchy is going to shine a bright light into the Motorcycle Club world. Where as the last ten years have been all about Custom Motorcycle Builders and has led to a lot of people getting into Motorcycle Riding, I believe the next ten years will be all about Motorcycle Clubs. Now this show could be a great thing for Motorcycle Clubs if, in-between all the fictional action, it also focuses on the bond of Brotherhood Motorcycle Clubs are really based on.
Although the opportunity for “Sons of Anarchy” to make a positive statement about Motorcycle Clubs by highlighting the good Motorcycle Clubs do and the positive impact that they have on their communities exists, I have a feeling the show will have a negative impact on Clubs, Independent Bikers, and the Motorcycle Community in overall.
All Motorcycle Clubs are going to need to keep their eyes wide open and watch any new prospects. MCs need to make sure that new prospects are there for the Brotherhood and betterment of the Club and the community, not to live out some misguided fantasy they may have seen on TV or in some Movie. Another big concern of mine is people who will just go out and throw on a set of patches and think they are the “Sons of Anarchy”. The Motorcycle Club world is all about Respect and there is a serious protocol that is followed by all Clubs. I would not recommend violating that protocol in any way.
Motorcycle Clubs have spent the better part of the past 20 years working hard to shake the old biker gang stereotype of the 60′s and 70′s. Now that we have come so close to accomplishing our goals, a show like “Sons of Anarchy” or the upcoming HBO show 1% are here to try and drag our image back into the gang image. How far will these shows set us back? 20-30 Years? I am asking the producers of these shows, there sponsors, and everyone else out there to please remember that Brotherhood is what the Motorcycle Club world is truly about.
Your Bro, L.J. James AmericanBikerX. com
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