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Black Bikers in Oakland on Display at AAMLO

With the Oakland Museum now closed for several months of remodeling, where are history hungry Oakland residents supposed to go to learn about the Oakland of yesteryear?

California - One place to get your fix is the current exhibit at The Oakland Public Library's African American Museum and Library (usually just called AAMLO), "Breezin' on Two Wheels: African American Bikers in Oakland", which documents the experience and civic contributions of Oakland's myriad black biker clubs.

AAMLO's exhibits are always fascinating, and although I haven't been able to make it down there and check it out just yet (it's only been open a week), this one looks to be no exception. From the library:

Quote:

The artifacts and historical documentation on display include a few gems, including wonderful vintage photographs and footage. Na'il "Shayk" Karin, publisher of The Black Biker Magazine, has contributed some rarities, including footage of the local motorcycle drill team know as the Space Riders.

The scope of the exhibit is broad, and historically appropriate for this city. Oakland and the East Bay have been home to many black biker clubs, such as the still active East Bay Dragons, the Headhunters, the California Blazers, the Backstabbers, the Wicked Wheels Berkeley Tigers, and the Zodiacs. For many African American riders, motorcycles may have represented an appealing antidote against the poison of racial discrimination and prejudice. By the same token, African Americans rode, and continue to ride motorcycles for the same simple reasons that any biker does - for the thrill and freedom of getting around on two wheels.

The exhibit is currently on display at the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (659 14th Street).

Read more: www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin...z0Qf38DoNR

This article contributed by editor on Thursday, September 10, 2009 (01:03:37)

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