Biker in American Culture. The intended audience that this article is aimed at appears to be the general public in an attempt to educate. The article appears to be an analysis in itself of the biker image and it's evolution to what it is today. The writers of the article were very detailed in their analysis. In the beginning of the article they write about commodification of our society in general through products and mass production. There is a suggestion that we as an American society associate happiness and fitting in, with buying certain products and having certain things. I believe this to be true and see this as something that is evolving still today. Even me growing up have associated success in my life with one day owning a nice new car and my own house, having the clothes I want and going on trips. This pressure in America to have money and things is getting a rough go around right now since the recent recession. Now Americans are associating just having a job period as something to make you happy and fitting in with the rest of society.
As the article goes on the writers delve into an analysis of the commodification of the image of the American biker. The writers believe that the increase in popularity of motorcycles and this image is in response to the commodification of a rebellious look created in the past and attracted to capitalists to sell products to people who seek to look adventurous and express their rebelliousness. This is amplified by the media and sold to consumers to help them create this identity that they want. The writers suggest that bikers currently are more interested in looking like a member of this "consumer tribe" than they are actually interested in riding. I for one have to agree. I think this is definately a stereotype but that it is very true. I think that a lot of these bikers today are not as hard and rebellious as they like to put on that they are. But they want to have that look and fit into this group. I work with people like this, live next to people like this and am related to people like this.
Also in the article they describe the imagery associated with bikers, the history behind it and the new millenium image and lifestyle of the American Motorcyclists. I found the article to be a very interesting read and I really enjoyed reading it. It made a lot of sense to me and I learned a lot from this article about the stereotypes of bikers right down to the leathers jacket. I found that interesting how they mentioned that the leather jacket is an icon in the article. What a good read for anyone interested in biking or anyone that knows a lot about biking.
Reference
Commodification and Popular Imagery of the Biker in American Culture
1. University of Louisville
[The publisher, Blackwell Publishing Inc, does not provide an abstract for this article.]
http://0-journals.ohiolink.edu.olinkserver.franklin.edu/ejc/pdf.cgi/AUSTIN_D._MARK.pdf?issn=00223840&issue=v43i0005&article=942_capiotbiac
The article that you read sounds like it would be a very interesting read especially with its relevance to how society is reacting to the recession that we have been dealing with over the last few years. I would agree with you that the "biker" image is being used by people who are not totally committed to the lifestyle that was followed by the biker gangs of the past and they are using this image as a way of fitting into a certain group of rebellious people. The biker image that I think of when I picture bikers is the burly hairy grungy rough necks on Harley Davidson's riding across the country just because they had nothing better to do and this image is being softened and is deteriorating from that community by the day. I also agree with you that with the current recession people are becoming more and more satisfied with less achievements in life just because it is becoming harder and harder to gain the large sums of wealth that all of our generation dreamed of as youth.
ReplyDeleteI really like how the article you read has to deal with stereotypes in our culture, which is a topic that we covered in the course. Many people today only link stereotypes to a particular race or nationality, but they can also be linked to a person's lifestyle as well. I know that whenever I see a group of people riding their motorcycles, the imagery of the old fashioned bike gains comes into my mind. It is hard to put the nbew image of the American biker into my mind, an image of what appears to be a normal person riding on a bike for the pure thrill of it, rather than to be a part of a gang of sorts.
ReplyDeleteI can see how this article fits into popular culuture, however, I didn't think about Bikers as being a part of the popular culture today. It used to be a popular thing, maybe it is just that I don't have and connections to bikers and do not see them around me.
ReplyDeletethis comment was posted by Amanda McGraw
ReplyDeleteYour article sound interesting. I agree there is a stereotype that goes along with bikers and some who want the association of the stereotype. I know some personally. I also know some who do not conform to the stereotype and ride just for the pleasure of it. They do own leathers but that is because they have had accidents and like a helmet the leather is the most protective clothing they can wear.
ReplyDeleteI grew up riding motorcycles but they were mostly dirt bikes which is another stereotype than the street bikes. :)
Reply to Cynthia Hopper, That is great you mention that about the Leather. It's so true about it being great for protection. My boyfriend rides and works at a bike shop and I feel much better when he wears the protective gear. You just never know what can happen. That's so neat you rode dirt bikes when you were younger, I always thought that would be a lot of fun but am always afraid.
ReplyDeleteReply to Amanda McGraw, Oh yes Amanda biking is still big. In our town at least it is anyways. It's shoved in my face all the time because my boyfriend rides and also works at a motorcycle shop.
ReplyDeleteGreat article! The old stereotype of the biker was black leather and a bad ass, loaner type except for their riding buddies. You make a great point in how it was considered rebellous and is now much more mainstream.
ReplyDeleteI have a neighbor who is very religious and owns his own Harley cruiser bike! His wife home schooled their kids and he is a carpenter. But, he loves his bike. I see him working on it and he always has a smile when he goes by. He even offered to help me get my motorcycle license, but I never bought a bike.