Resurgence of Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMGs)

Despite a series of highly effective and publicized raids on OMGs across the United States and Canada throughout the 1970s and into the mid-1980s (Sawyer, 1985; McGuire, 1986; Serwer, 1992; Thornton, 1984, 1986), law enforcement organizations have more recently been forced to divert their attention away from OMGs to the increasing "crack" cocaine problem, and to a certain extent this is allowing OMGs to rebuild their organizations as many of those convicted and imprisoned are now being released (Serwer, 1992). It is widely believed that individuals such as Sonny Barger, regarded as the "organizing genius behind the Hells Angels," will reassert the leadership roles they held prior to their arrests and incarcerations (Serwer, 1992).

The origin of motorcycle gangs is usually attributed to the creation of the Hells Ang

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. There are also "honorary members" (or, "associates"), who may be former club members now considered "retired," or others who have received "courtesy cards" because they were deemed worthy of the privilege of biker acceptance. Courtesy cards are often given to officers or distinguished members of other chapters or other clubs (Hopper and Moore, 1990). According to Serwer (1992): Most members are from working-class backgrounds. Many are veterans. Some work in marginal blue-collar jobs; others run small businesses such as bike shops and tattoo parlors. Many are rootless, with no links to the community they happen to live in. They tend to think they are okay; it's the rest of society--the "citizens"-- who are off track. They're aging; many are in their 40s and 50s. No African Americans are to be found--"none has ever tried to get in," says one Angel, sounding like a member of a lily-white golf club. For many Angels the club is their family, their world. These are intensely bonded men with a strong code of mutual support. If one is attacked, the others must jump in. . . . The typical Hells Angel is obsessed with strength and toughness, with taking risks and flaunting his sexual virility. Women are not a
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2882
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page)