|
Return Home
Grasping A Thorny Branch
In last month’s Between The Lines, Lynn Wesley brought up an interesting if controversial subject that is worth some more discussion.
Lynn stated the issue very well when she said, “...how can we claim to fight discrimination against motorcyclists when we discriminate against our own?” She was referring to our stated policy of requesting no colors at events.
The issue is that our Corporate Operating Procedures (COPs) contain the following statement...”and it is requested that colors not be flown at A.B.A.T.E. of PA functions.”
Those of you who know me understand that I will look at the history of the current situation before jumping off the cliff.
The earliest copy of A.B.A.T.E. COPs in my possession goes back to 1980 and does not contain any reference to colors. The next oldest copy I have dates to 1983 and it does contain a reference requesting that colors not be worn at A.B.A.T.E. of PA events. The COPs have changed a lot over the years, but that reference has been present since then.
I have to assume that something occurred between 1980 and 1983 that convinced the leadership of A.B.A.T.E. of PA that such a clause was desirable. I wasn’t there so I can only speculate. Perhaps someone who was involved at the time can enlighten me.
The practical result is that we have a COP clause that requests that colors not be worn at A.B.A.T.E. of PA events. The only event where I know that the request is followed uniformly is the State Party. Other events are decided on a case by case basis by the district or chapter organizing the event.
The question is why do we discriminate at all, why is it in our COPs, and is that reason still relevant? What is the difference between A.B.A.T.E. of PA asking that colors not be flown at events and a sign on the door of a bar reading “No Colors?”
I’m going to make a case for why A.B.A.T.E. of PA can make the “no colors” request and not be guilty of discrimination. The answer has to do with what A.B.A.T.E. of PA is about, what clubs are about, and respect.
Clubs are formed by like-minded individuals with a common purpose. Regardless of why a club is formed, the act of donning a patch is a proclamation of allegiance to others wearing the same patch. That’s a good thing, and worthy of respect.
A.B.A.T.E. of PA serves but one purpose, that purpose is defending the rights of motorcyclists. It doesn’t matter what you ride, what color your skin happens to be, or what other allegiances you might have. Everyone is encouraged to join. What matters is that you believe that motorcyclists have rights and that you are willing to help defend them. Every meeting that is held, every dollar that is raised, every hour of time that is volunteered is dedicated to that purpose.
A.B.A.T.E of PA is not a club. We carefully avoid any behavior that could be construed as such.
When a club member entitled to wear colors chooses not to display them at an A.B.A.T.E. of PA event, we take it as a gesture of respect for the neutrality that we have worked so hard over the years to maintain. And that act earns the respect of A.B.A.T.E. of PA.
It is that mutual exchange of respect that at least in part differentiates us from the bar with the “No Colors” sign on the door.
That’s my take on the subject, and I’m sure that there will be many who disagree.
To my recollection, in the fifteen years or so I have been serving on the State Board, no District Rep has introduced a motion to change that part of the COPs. Maybe it’s time we had that discussion.
Let me know what you think.
|
