Hells Angels as a Motorcycle Subculture

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Basis of Development
Characteristics
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Hells angels are members of a motorcycle club, whose interest is riding bikes, organizing parties, fundraisings, and motorcycling rallies due to its activities and organized crimes. This group is famously known as the hells angels motorcycle club (HAMC) operating in Canada and the United States of America although its members claim that they are innocent and they are just a group of enthusiastic motorcyclists who just come together to ride motorcycles and organize events like social trips, parties and motorcycle rallies (Thompson, 1996).

Basis of Development

History

Motorcycling had become rampant and popular after the second world war in the united states of America especially California. Hells Angels motorcycle club was believed to have started in March 1948 in Fontana, California by Arvid Olsen who was one of the members of the 303rd bombardment group during world war two although he did not join the group, he is accredited by many followers of this group as the founder.

Membership

In order to become a member of the hells angels’ motorcyclist, one must be either a Hispanic, Caucasian, white or Asian male above 21 years of age and in a possession of valid driver’s license and own a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Should neither be a child molester nor have applied for any police or prison guard post (Thompson, 1996).

Region of Operation

Hell’s Angles motorcycling club is present in over 30 countries. In 1961, it opened its first charter outside the United States in New Zealand. Later on June 1969, two charters were opened one for south London and another for east London although they later merged in 1973 to be called London. In the 1980s and 1990s, the club expanded extensively to Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Finland, Norway, Italy, Sweden, Portugal, and Hungary among others. Presently, there are more than 125 charters in Europe (Locker, 2003)…

Ideologies

From Hell’s Angles’ motto, they believe that they are sidelined by the society they believe that when they do right nobody remembers but when they do wrong nobody forgets. Members of the club identify themselves using their first names or rather nicknames and not their surname. They believe in holding tight to their secrets and even believe that if three people know the secret and two die then the secret will not be known (Thompson, 1996).

Characteristics

Identifying signs and values

Their official emblem” Death’s Head” is attributed to Fred sadilek who was the president of the San Francisco charter he is believed to be its designer. They use colors as means of identification. The official colors of Hell’s angels are red patches on white background mostly worn on leather jackets and vests hence their nickname-The red and white (Locker, 2003).

They use patches and medals similar to those of the military to denote the rank in the club with titles like the president, secretary, treasurer, vice president, and sergeant at arms inscribed on the patches. Patches are also used to identify the locality of the club especially the rectangular patch with red letters on a white background whose edges are reddish signify chapter location. Other patches like those containing initials like AFFA which means angles forever, forever angles used to signify dedication and loyalty to the club. The Filthy Few patches which were inherited from the Nazis are awarded to those who have committed or yet to commit murder on behalf of the club also the Dequiallo patch is awarded to those who fought law enforcement even to the point of being arrested. The meaning of some patches is hard to know to the public since each biker attributes his own meaning and beliefs to the medals. Patches remain the property of the club and must be returned when a member is expelled or leaves the club (Thompson, 1996).

Languages

The Hell’s Angles Club uses terms like one-percenter which was used by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) which meant 99% of motorcyclists obeyed the law except for 1%. The number 81 in red and white color on most patches has a meaning here 8 and 1 stands for H and A in alphabetic respectively which are used by the members of the club (Thompson, 1996).

Attachments and initiation rituals

Attachment to the club depends on the level of membership. Initially, a prospective member is seen as a Hang-around he is allowed to attend club events and club gatherings only. He later becomes an associate for two years. After the end of these two years, he is eligible to become a Prospect here he can participate in the club activities but has no voting right he is allowed to wear a bottom rocker with the territory name along with the rectangular patch. The Prospect finally attains a full member position also known as a full-patch after being voted by club members. He is allowed to travel to all chapters to introduce himself to every full-patch and to confer his loyalty and dedication to other club members who intern ask him questions before voting for him. Hell’s angels support one another thought the world especially when its member is imprisoned, he becomes a hero and a solder of some kind who is fighting injustice in the world (Locker, 2003).

Conclusion

Although they work hard to use publicity in order to prove their innocence in crimes and drug trafficking and show how they are harassed and discriminated against by the law enforcement agencies? Still, it is hard to convince society since their efforts are marred by its members who are caught in this crime. To many, Hells Angels is an outlawed miscreant gang that is involved in racketing, money laundering, and prostitution among other evils.

References

Locker, Bill. (2003). CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. Web.

Thompson, H. S. (1996).Hell’s angels: a strange and terrible saga New York, NY: Ballantine Books.

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