Check out the great info between the Sex Pistols and Ramones and how the music industry was turned upside down by these boys in their black leather jacekts.
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The true life events in Prodigal Father, Pagan Son give readers an inside look for what it was like for a boy to be born into the Philadelphia Pagan Motorcycle Club. The descriptive recount of “Little Tony” or “LT”, born the son of the leader of the Pagans shows both an angry and emotional upbringing into a violent and chaotic world during the prime of the Pagans Motorcycle Club.
Growing up with a mother who is a drug user and alcoholic, and a father who was in and out of prison, he was raised by the streets and a club whom had become almost a surrogate family. Forced into a life of sex, drugs and violence, “LT” had been to over a dozen funerals by the age of thirteen.
The raw honesty and horrendous recounts of events give readers a sense of empathy, and you can’t help but imagine the travesties that the character endures as a young boy. The theme of becoming stray has an important emotional meaning during the first part of the book. From the stray dog that bit off part of his ear, to the stray cat that bit a the member Mongo and transmitted rabies which ended up killing him. “Strays were forgotten, tossed into alleys…” (Pg. 75), which was how “LT” felt, he thought of himself as a stray.
The powerful characters in the book each brought their own personal influence into “LT’s” life. From his own father Maingy, a man the readers can not help but love to hate due to the relationship with the author and eventual betrayal of the club, to Saint, a man that ended up being the fatherly figure the author looked up to. Each character brings a different influence into the author’s life. “LT” himself goes through a delicate act of balancing his internal life with the club and mingling with the “citizens”. He was always able to adapt to his surroundings with his keen observation, which became his most valuable trait as a Prospect of the club.
Prodigal Father, Pagan Son is written with emotion, detail and brilliant imagery. The book is able to capture the audience with authenticity and believability. The raw, to-the-point structure gives concrete facts, and can be an emotional read.
For more information on the book, check here.
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When some people think about motorcycle clubs, often an outlaw biker wearing a black leather jacket, dark sunglasses and riding a Harley is what comes to mind. Hollywood has certainly painted the club like behavior as somewhat taboo, and some people even associate clubs dealing in “gang like” activity. More often than not, judgement is passed when a group of riders pass us on the freeway all wearing the same colors and riding in formation. This couldn’t be farther from the truth, and in fact the bond that brings riders together is they share the love of the open road, and more importantly the safety and well being of their own communities.
I would like to take the opportunity to point out one club that has been such an important part to their own respective communities, that people look forward to the annual group of riders in Santa Hats each fall as they ask for donations to benefit Christmas Clearinghouse. The Marion Area Harley Riders Association (MAHRA) is now celebrating their 25th anniversary on March 29th, 2011, and estimates show they have raised well over $100 million which has been donated back into their community! This group started with members from all parts of society, including factory specialists, local butchers, electricians, technicians, teachers and preachers. Everyday people looking to make a positive impression and improve their community, but riding Harley’s and wearing leather biker jackets.
A few of their contributions include sending a blind boy to summer camp, raising money for their local fire department and annual Forrest Festival. They have a Toy Run held in the first weekend of October. This bike ride often ends with an auction and free food.
Perhaps Hollywood could respectively show the continuous contributions our fellow riders give back to the community as a change of pace. Showing that being part of a club and having a positive impact on society doesn’t mean you only have to donate in a certain way. Celebrating a riding lifestyle and bringing in the biker lifestyle can give younger generations a feeling of belonging, of giving back and showing that you can proudly wear your biker leather jacket while doing it.
Congratulations to the MAHRA on celebrating 25 years of riding, and to all of the clubs out there that continuously give back to the community!
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