You are hereTwo-wheeled racism
Two-wheeled racism
I meet a lot of nice, interesting people while on a motorcycle but one part of the biker culture that has always bothers me is the overt racism practiced by some who ride bikes.
At a Roanoke Valley Harley-Davidson open house this past Saturday, I saw too many openly racist themes, with patches proclaiming "white power" to helmet decals that read "I pay taxes and speak English."
We live in a nation of diverse interests and opinions but advocating the superiority of one race over another should be an concept that disappeared from our culture a long time ago. The Roanoke Valley Harley Owners Group (HOG) has black members. Harley-Davidson tried to ban use of the Confederate flag from its branded products in 1994 but pressure from Southern dealers caused the company to reverse its decision.
But symbols of prejudice still adorn too many bikes and bikers. I've seen headlights shaped like Nazi Germany's Iron Cross and swastika pins on vests.
Riding should be about fraternity and brother (and sister) hood, not hate and prejudice.
This is the United States of America. If you want to live here, you should at least be required to learn the language (English). It irks me to walk into Lowes or Walmart or Home Depot and see the bi-lingual signage. They are choosing to live here, and need to make an effort to fit in.
The reason we see these signs is cause it's good for business.
That's also the reason we have the immigration issue, it hard to ignore the fact that immigrant labor built this country. My folks (personally from 50-240 years ago) and probably yours were immigrants. If we can get past the political rhetoric we could deal with this issue better. As it stands it's more smoke than fire.
Don't you realize your H-D dealer sold you a lifestyle and gave you the motorcycle.
You have 2 choices, live with it or get out.
I abhor all racism. And I sometimes wonder why some of the folks who sew and wear "Black Power" patches on their clothing are not branded racists and discussed in open forums.