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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSC gov. calls to ban ‘black biker week’ after shootings, but not white Harley week
Gov. Nikki Haley (R) has called on one South Carolina town to end an event for black bikers, but has not opposed a similar so-called Harley Davidson biker week that is predominantly white.
During the days of segregation, the town of Atlantic Beach began the Myrtle Beach-area Bikefest, which was one of the few events that allowed African-Americans to congregate. Even today, Atlantic Beach bills itself as the only Black owned beach in the nation.
White bikers riding Harley Davidson motorcycles are more likely to come a few weeks earlier for the Myrtle Beach Bike Week.
After three people were killed just 14 miles away from Bikefest over the Memorial Day weekend, Haley said that it was time for the African-American tradition to end.
Eight shootings happened during this weekend. Three people died. That is not OK for South Carolina, Haley remarked, the Associated Press reported on Sunday. This Bikefest does not represent the people of this state. It does not represent what we are trying to do when we promote tourism and jobs.
During a hurricane preparedness meeting in Conway late last month, Haley chastised Atlantic Beach leaders for putting Myrtle Beach on the front page of USA today in a negative light.
More: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/06/09/sc-gov-calls-to-ban-black-biker-week-after-shootings-but-not-white-harley-week/
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)phantom power
(25,966 posts)any of the "incidents" they're trying to pin on Black Biker Week had anything to do with actual participants in Black Biker Week. It's all just insinuation. Even stranger, it would seem that none of the Harley-week participants are being blamed for any "incidents" that would have occurred while that was happening.
Funny how that works, especially when it comes to southern states and black people.
KoKo
(84,711 posts)This is so disgusting,..I hope the backlash will come from all bikers in SC who see this as discrimination and could effect even their own Myrtle Beach event if something occurs MILES AWAY which has nothing to do with them.
Every time I hope for something good for a rising up in SC, though, I'm disappointed. But, I think Bikers hang together so maybe this will cause some to see how this could effect all bikers when one group is banned for something they weren't involved in the rest could be next.
Fuddnik
(8,846 posts)They fill up every hotel room, restaurant and bar for miles. Just the main events happen in one particular place.
Myrtle Beach tried harassing the white bikers out of town a few years ago, but they all moved to locations just outside city limits and spent all their money there. It was a disaster.
I go to Myrtle Beach fairly often, and from what I see on the news the rest of the year, I think 3 shootings in a week is a crime reduction for the week.
Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)Whoops, I guess not.
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)Quite often, a dogmatic simpleton will (consciously or not) use the Ecological Fallacy to better illustrate to himself how clever he is.
Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)Tom Ripley
(4,945 posts)maryellen99
(3,790 posts)To carry weapons concealed or open with no background checks,permits,or training.
lpbk2713
(42,772 posts)If that goes through the next neighborhood squabble, the next incident of road rage, the next parental temper tantrum at a little league game could have an outcome like the OK Corral.
tanyev
(42,663 posts)covered in guns showed up at a shopping mall or a restaurant.
LadyHawkAZ
(6,199 posts)I was working in Laughlin NV during the Harrah's biker gang shootout in 2002, and I remember how they rushed right in and shut down the River Run forever after... oh no wait, they didn't, because the River Run attracts mostly rich white bikers. I attended River Run 2014 a month and a half ago. It's such a relief to know only black bikers shoot people.
Why doesn't she just put up a billboard: "Hi! I'm a racist!".
bullwinkle428
(20,631 posts)KamaAina
(78,249 posts)I guess she can pass.
JI7
(89,283 posts)her kids look full indian also. and her white husband looks like he could pass for indian also . i wonder if they convinced the family in india that she actuallyd id marry an indian guy.
Tom Ripley
(4,945 posts)JI7
(89,283 posts)Tom Ripley
(4,945 posts)freshwest
(53,661 posts)And some question why others see racism in a lot of places.
When was the last time a race specific law was passed, that targeted whites?
Note: Economic class is not part of this equation.
erpowers
(9,350 posts)Has anyone been able to connect the killings to Bikefest? The article said the killings took place "just 14 miles from Bikefest". 14 miles is not close to an to an area. The killings could have taken place in another city. Was someone who attended Bikefest involved in any of the incidents that occured over the Memorial Day Weekend?
Fuddnik
(8,846 posts)SoapBox
(18,791 posts)I'm glad to live as far away as possible from this idiot.
rocktivity
(44,583 posts)Did the shootings take place there?
On edit: Why, yes -- as a matter of fact, they DID!
...Mayor Jake Evans...says there haven't been problems in his town but he is willing to discuss the need for more law enforcement in other areas during the weekend...
"This has nothing to do with what kind of motorcycle a person drives and everything to do with the fact Myrtle Beach had over 4,000 calls for police service, eight separate shootings, and three murders during the course of a Memorial Day weekend," added Haley spokesman Doug Mayer.
rocktivity
L0oniX
(31,493 posts)looks like it is true. If she is really so fucking concerned about the states reputation maybe she should move all the racist fucking repukes out first!
Mopar151
(10,006 posts)FWIW, I hear Bikefest (aka Black Bike Week) is one of the best parties of all the big "events". I worked at a bike builder's shop near the Wiers during Bike Week, - the "Laconia" crowd is lookin' pretty grey around the muzzle.
DAMANgoldberg
(1,278 posts)What has made Black Bike Week so much of a party in recent years because the original street party, Freaknik, in Atlanta was shuttered due to "perceived violence", and that was under the Shirley Franklin administration. Black Bike 'lean forward' is less of a bike rally and more of a Freaknik with 2 wheels as opposed to 4. The hotels and people that rent their rooms out for the 3 weeks in May don't seem to mind the $$ that come in.
nyabingi
(1,145 posts)is still seen as a threat by the larger white society and needs to be broken up, just like the high days of slavery in the US.
Things haven't really changed much here as far as the plantation code is concerned...
WHEN CRABS ROAR
(3,813 posts)Meanwhile all across the nation the shootings continue.