Immigrant and Social Order: Oakland Hell’s Angels 50th Anniversary

When is a party a party? And when is a party just a get together? That was the question I asked myself as I read the headline staring out at me: “Hells Angels to Celebrate Oakland Chapter’s 50th Anniversary.” The Bay Area is the birthplace of the Hells Angels most infamous chapter: the Oakland Hells Angels; the focal point in the most notorious outlaw motorcycle club in the land. . . the baddest of the bad. The “81″ as the Angels are known in the parlance of the biker world, will be out in full force, this weekend, reminiscent of their coming out party in Hollister many years ago. . .

The image that the Angels conjures up is one of violence and trouble. When I told my girlfriend about my plans to feature the Hells Angels in this post her only comment (in her sweetest voice) illustrates my point: “Oh. . . ah well I guess you can write about whatever you want honey.” There in lies the rub when considering the Hells Angel’s controversial history-there is more to this group than meets the eye.

To understand the Angels, you must first understand the man behind the organization: the Baddest of the Bad Sonny Barger. Barger founded the Hell’s Angels most influential chapter,the Oakland chapter, 50 years ago as an expression of freedom. The Angels became a sanctuary for the disenchanted and the disenfranchised; it became a place for those men who did not wish to be a slave to society’s expectations or norms.

The original charter, San Bernardino, was established by returning WWII veterans who not only felt this disconnection from society but also a burning desire for adventure. Following the original mold while improving upon it, Barger modeled the Oakland chapter after a military unit with a general (Barger), officers, and street level soldiers. Throughout his tenure as club president, Barger committed himself to living free and riding often. This commitment became a way of life and a call to arms.

Anybody who has not been living on Pluto for the past half century understands the criminal background the Hell’s Angels have represented. Yet the major media has painted the “81″ as the ultimate villains, bad guys and a virtual poster boy for crime in modern society.