Our Black Bike Week posting has created a flurry of feedback from bikers and non bikers far and near.
To add to the discussion, we just wanted to let you know representatives from the NAACP will be on hand for the fifth consecutive year - getting their groove on.
In addition to mixing and mingling, the NAACP will be observing the practices of the local businesses, watching traffic patterns and monitoring police activity.
Over the years the NAACP and concerned parties have filed and successful settled lawsuits against the city of Myrtle Beach for unfair treatment of the black bikers during Black Bike Week, as compared to Harley Week, which consist mostly non-black participants. ...
In a sense, the NAACP will be playing the role of a mystery shopper. I can't quite remember, but does anyone recall if the NAACP got involved in Atlanta's Freaknick when the Campbell administration pulled the plug? While I always applaud the efforts of the NAACP, do you think this is a matter they should engage in or should be tackling more pressing matters?
At some point, if the folks don't want your money, shouldn't you move on to someone who does in this tight economy? Green typically overrides social justice. Didn't the Montgomery Boycott come to an end after the locals realized how much money their economy was losing?
Comments: (9)
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By: ADMR on 5/21/2009 5:37PM
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By: WD on 5/21/2009 9:12PM
How many complaints of defrauding an innkeeper are reported during the "Harley Week" vs. the "Black Week"? Publish the statistics of infractions and the estimated number of attendees. . . Now that would be interesting, transparency.
"The opportunity to earn a dollar in a factory just now is worth infinitely more than the opportunity to spend a dollar in an opera-house", Booker T.
I suggest those that want to cry out and point fingers look in the mirror, and read what possibly was the greatest and most uncelebrated Black Leader of American History wanted for us all. If you don't believe it do some reading before commenting. This man has been left behind by all of us, lessons to be learned.
http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/39/
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By: mike on 5/23/2009 1:17PM
I would not want to be a policeman working that event. What do you do when you see a gang of black bikers going at each other, and the NAACP standing by watching the cops every move. It is a no win situation. If the police intervene they will be accused of racism, and if they just stand by and watch somebody may get killed, and then the lawsuits, because they just stood back and watched.
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By: "The Real" Jeff Stewart on 6/07/2009 3:44PM
1st of all when do you ever see or hear of a "gang of black bikers going at each other" at Bike Week? Isn't that type of activity more associated with the the Harley riding Hell's Angels types? It's amazing how "you people" make comments that are not based on any verifiable fact.
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By: Joe Gryne on 5/27/2009 10:46AM
Little things ignored become the norm. Your right, it’s not a pressing issue but it’s an issue none the less and shouldn’t be tolerated.
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By: "The Real" Jeff Stewart on 6/07/2009 3:21PM
I was at this year's bike week and fortunately we didn't have any encounters with local law enforcement. We did however get pulled over for speeding by a SC State Trooper. He was VERY professional, not condescending and even cut my boyz a break cuz he coulda took em 2 jail for doing 90 in a 60. The trooper actually told us if he had been Myrtle Beach cop my boyz woulda got locked up no questions asked.Fortunately the State boyz don't envolve themselves in the local issues; they just do their jobs - wow. By the way the trooper knocked the ticket down to 15 over the limit and the fine was only like $130.
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By: G.E.N. on 6/06/2009 8:53PM
Hey Mike-I guess you still believe the stereotypes you see watching those old 70's Blaxploitation movies.
I also think you compare our riders to those Chopper riders of Biker Week.
The Harley riders don't even share the parking lot with non Harley riders.
In our riding community, just being a rider is enough for respect within the clubs.
If we do have a beef with another club-it's handled at the 1/4 or 1/2 mile of highway, strip or track, not the streets with guns like Outlaw Chopper types who are the roll models for the wannabe bikers during.
Leave your prejudices to yourself and your associates, speaking your mind in public forums only produces more evidence against the quality of your intelligence.
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By: G.E.N. on 6/06/2009 8:58PM
Maybe It's time to move Black Bike week to a Black community
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By: Goldie Sowers on 9/30/2009 5:26PM
I have suggested to all black bikers to stop giving your money to a city who doesn't want your money. We must learn that we no longer have to make nice by continuing to go where we aren't wanted to prove a point. I am a black female biker and I will not ever,ever,ever go to Myrtle Beach again. If you don't want my money during bike week you don't want it any other time.
http://goldie1779.wordpress.com
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