Who Represents What, But What Represents the Truth?
Chris Bradbury
SUPA English
Professor Torchia
22 December 2014
There is a sense of freedom associated with motorcycles. The flexibility of motorcycles - for transportation, competitions, or leisurely riding - has allowed for the motorcycle community to grow. More races, rallies, and charity runs are allowing these bikers to get out on the open road, socialize with friends, and have that feeling of freedom that makes biking so appealing. In 2014, 7.1 million motorcycles were registered in the United States, spiking the amount of registered motorcycles in the United States higher than ever before (Sheilds 12). With the steady increase of the motorcycle subculture …show more content…
The vast majority these motorcycle enthusiasts enjoy their bikes as a hobby or a means of transportation. Some even go as far as joining a club dedicated to their motorcycle. For example, the American Motorcycle Association is the largest motorcycle club in the United States with 230,000 members (qtd. in Shields 4). Along with the majority of other biker related clubs, this organization is made up of law-abiding citizens who help the community and don’t cause any disturbances. On the other hand, there is a small percentage of biker clubs known as Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMGs), that partake in criminal activity and don’t conform to what society deems is “right” (qtd. in Shields 4). The OMGs make up for only one percent of the motorcycle subculture, but they are the ones that have the most influence on the cultures perception to others. The OMGs have portrayed a certain perception of the motorcycle subculture indirectly through different types of media (movies, news, books, etc.), causing the OMGs to become the “figureheads” of the subculture. This doesn’t accurately represent what the subculture truly is because the OMGs are the minority and differ …show more content…
Crime in Germany decreased the year prior to this study. However, in contrast to that, the evidence showed that the German public believed that crime had increased. Moreover, the people who are in favor of tougher sentencing had increased, and data showed that the belief that crime is rising is the factor most strongly associated with the idea of stiffer penalties. Further analysis of survey data showed that the pattern of television viewing is associated with the belief that crime is rising. This pattern of results suggests that television broadcasts that include fictional or factual treatment of crime caused this biased perception (Pfeiffer, Kleimann, Windzio 259). This shows that the media has a tremendous impact on our perception. It has caused society to see the biker subculture solely through the lens of OMGs. This lens, however, is narrow and doesn’t allow one to be immersed in the culture