Sociology
Hells Angels:
An Outlaw Motorcycle Club
Bikers have always been seen as “outcast” – they don’t always live the lives of the majority, and usually refuse the typical values the society imposes on us by engaging in outrageous behavior. The Hells Angels are members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club who typically ride Harley Davidson motorcycles. Despite common inclination towards spelling their name as “Hell’s Angels”, the official site claims the missing apostrophe represents many types of “hell”. However, grammatically correct, there still should be an apostrophe after Hells, even if using it in a plural sense.
There are different points of view on the Hells Angels, as some see them as being an organized crime syndicate while others admire their passion for motorcycles and “free” lifestyle on the road. Despite evidence of their criminal activities, the club refuses to take responsibility for the acts of its members, as Hells Angels encourage individuality. As Ralph “Sonny” Barger, the most respectable Hells Angel, stated in 2001, they are all complete individuals and the only thing they have in common is their love for motorcycles. However, it is not only the fact that the members are usually covered in tattoos and wear leather jackets that encourages the public opinion of the Hells Angels being dangerous. According to BBC News, in December 2003, 57 members of Hells Angels were arrested for running guns and murder conspiracies across the United States (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/this_world/3311057.stm). It is also known that smuggling of drugs is their main source of income, with some saying “bikers” is only a camouflage for “criminals”. Hells Angels managed to found business interests in many illegal activities and, according to Federal Government, they make millions of dollars off of it. What started off as a simple motorcycle club has today transformed into business – the Hells Angels created their slogan and logo, became incorporated and
An Outlaw Motorcycle Club
Bikers have always been seen as “outcast” – they don’t always live the lives of the majority, and usually refuse the typical values the society imposes on us by engaging in outrageous behavior. The Hells Angels are members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club who typically ride Harley Davidson motorcycles. Despite common inclination towards spelling their name as “Hell’s Angels”, the official site claims the missing apostrophe represents many types of “hell”. However, grammatically correct, there still should be an apostrophe after Hells, even if using it in a plural sense.
There are different points of view on the Hells Angels, as some see them as being an organized crime syndicate while others admire their passion for motorcycles and “free” lifestyle on the road. Despite evidence of their criminal activities, the club refuses to take responsibility for the acts of its members, as Hells Angels encourage individuality. As Ralph “Sonny” Barger, the most respectable Hells Angel, stated in 2001, they are all complete individuals and the only thing they have in common is their love for motorcycles. However, it is not only the fact that the members are usually covered in tattoos and wear leather jackets that encourages the public opinion of the Hells Angels being dangerous. According to BBC News, in December 2003, 57 members of Hells Angels were arrested for running guns and murder conspiracies across the United States (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/this_world/3311057.stm). It is also known that smuggling of drugs is their main source of income, with some saying “bikers” is only a camouflage for “criminals”. Hells Angels managed to found business interests in many illegal activities and, according to Federal Government, they make millions of dollars off of it. What started off as a simple motorcycle club has today transformed into business – the Hells Angels created their slogan and logo, became incorporated and