Cultural Labels

"I am a woman with thoughts and questions and shit to say. I say if I'm beautiful. I say if I'm strong. You will not determine my story—I will."  ~ Amy Schumer

If you follow my blog you know I generally write about something that has set my brain on fire. Yesterday I spent five and a half hours in a Harley-Davidson dealership buying a new bike. I LOVE this dealership; the people are warm and friendly, the atmosphere is warm and fuzzy and the whole experience was positive. This blog post is not about THEM, it is about the culture of LABELING human beings, especially women. 

"Female biker"

We don't say, "Male biker."

Same with "Female President," "Black Athlete," "Lesbian Soccer Star," "Gay Presidential Candidate (I mean, we don't say "Heterosexual Presidential Candidate), and "Autistic Artist." Too many labels. Labels limit human potential. I see it everyday in public education, but that's a whole 'nuther blog post!

Giant mural on the wall of the dealership...all "male bikers." I said, "You know you really need to change that up and add some badass women to that mural." 

Standing at the parts counter, large photograph of a half-naked pin-up girl on a vintage Harley. I said with a generous smile on my face, "you know that photo might offend some women who are standing here buying parts for their bike." The young kid behind the counter was a little flustered until the 60-ish, scruffy-bearded male biker behind me quips, "Yeah, it offends me too. Who would ride that bike!?"

Then the young kid (27 yo) looked at me and said, "Yeah, that's just the culture."
If a 27 yo can dismiss the sexism within the biker community, how will we ever CHANGE the culture?

The most recent data (Motorcycle Industry Council) indicates women riders comprise only 20% of the total riders. That's disappointing. But it explains the reluctance within the industry to change the culture. The industry must continue to sell to the 80% who are 'male bikers.' 

How long will women exist in the 1" wide margins at the edge of the biker culture? Since the dawning of Harley-Davidson in 1903 women have persevered in riding motorcycles; a fearless, pioneering few who were drawn to the adventures two-wheeled travel had to offer. My own hero, Bessie Stringfield. Ava and Effie Hotchkiss, Dot Robbins, and the indefatigable Gloria Tremontin Struck (who just turned 95 years young and the culture has not changed in HER lifetime). The big rallies and bike events continue to be a testosterone-fest catering to men. OKAY. I'm not a prude; I can hang out at Froggy's on Main Street and stuff dollar bills into cleavage too. But when will the Chip n Dale All-Male Revue get their turn on the stage at Froggy's? If women riders continue to accept the rhetoric, "Yeah, that's just the culture," then we are selling ourselves short. We are buying into "his-stories" instead of weaving "our-stories."

“We are weaving her-story into reality.Unweaving the limiting his-stories. Creating our-story." ~ Lucy H. Pearce, Burning Woman

Change happens slowly otherwise it would be called 'revolution.' I don't think a revolution in the streets will change the biker culture. It might be awhile before I can stand at the parts counter and gaze lustily at a scantily clad Jason Momoa straddling a vintage Harley. 

Women riders need to speak up at every opportunity. And do so in a manner that is sincere; an attitude that says 'I'm confident in my skills and I want you to do a better job of representing women who ride.' Standing in a dealership, look around. Make a comment to the GM if the wall art doesn't represent YOU. I believe they WANT to hear from us, otherwise the male-biker-culture will never change.  If you are an event coordinator, look at your demographics. Are twenty-something girls in string bikinis bending suggestively over a soapy bike going to appeal to the women in the crowd? Will all pink T-shirts, bandanas and gift bags appeal to the majority of women?  I love Garage Nights; there are not enough of them! 

If you are a woman who rides, examine where you stand on this issue. If you want better representation within the biker community, then ask for it. We bear the responsibility of speaking out in order to change the culture.

"Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women." ~ Maya Angelou

Debi Tolbert Duggar is the author of 'Riding Soulo'

Part Memoir, Part Travelogue, Part Spiritual Salvation

Available at Bessieandme.com and online wherever books are sold