Harley

As one symbol of a free spirited life the Harley Davidson is one of the most recognizable icons of the American psyche. The image of the free spirit riding down the open road with a leather jacket and red bandanna for protection from the crushing blow of the asphalt below is captured congers words like freedom, rebel, independence, liberation, deliverance as well as images of danger, fear, mayhem. The Harley Davidson motorcycle occupies a place on the border between civilization and chaos.

Like most borders, the line drawn between civilization and chaos is largely one that is laden with fear of the unknown. Let me illustrate with a story. My wife and I were on a car trip through the Dakotas a number of years ago. The week we left Chicago was, as it turned out, the week of the gathering of Harleys in Sturgis, SD. The roads were peppered with motorcycles of all sizes and configurations. We wondered out loud if there were a uniform (jeans, leather jacket and red bandanna) required to ride a Harley. We also wondered aloud how so many people could afford such transportation. Then we checked into a motel in Rapid City. Directly in front of us was a couple in the typical Harley ‘uniform’ checking in as well. This couple was paying with an American Express card. I thought this a bit odd so, when I saw this couple later in the day I asked them a question about the Sturgis gathering. To my surprise, I learned that this couple were both lawyers from Chicago and they rode Harley Davidsons on weekends and holidays. Sort of a great escape from the working world they were so tied to during the week. I also learned they were not atypical, that over half the people attending were professionals of some sort or another.

I learned to not judge that day, to keep an open mind and gather facts before drawing any conclusions. I learned to not be taken in by unverifiable stories, myths, rumors or fears but to gather evidence and verify that evidence before condemning others.