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Experts Quote by Hunter S. Thompson

“Now, looking for labels, it is hard to call the Hell's Angels anything but mutants. They are urban outlaws with a rural ethic and a new, improvised style of self-preservation. Their image of themselves derives mainly from Celluloid, from the Western movies and two-fisted TV shows that have taught…” quote by Hunter S. Thompson
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““Now, looking for labels, it is hard to call the Hell's Angels anything but mutants. They are urban outlaws with a rural ethic and a new, improvised style of self-preservation. Their image of themselves derives mainly from Celluloid, from the Western movies and two-fisted TV shows that have taught them most of what they know about the society they live in. Very few read books, and in most cases their formal education ended at fifteen or sixteen. What little they know of history has come from the mass media, beginning with comics ... so if they see themselves in terms of the past, it's because they can't grasp the terms of the present, much less the future. They are the sons of poor men and drifters, losers and the sons of losers. Their backgrounds are overwhelmingly ordinary. As people, they are like millions of other people. But in their collective identity they have a peculiar fascination so obvious that even the press has recognized it, although not without cynicism. In its ritual flirtation with reality the press has viewed the Angels with a mixture of awe, humor and terror -- justified, as always, by a slavish dedication to the public appetite, which most journalists find so puzzling and contemptible that they have long since abandoned the task of understanding it to a handful of poll-takers and "experts.””

Hunter S. Thompson

About This Quote

Source Book: Hell's Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, 1966

A critique of how media and pop culture shape the self‑image of marginalized groups, reducing them to stereotypes while ignoring their complex realities.

In simple terms: Media creates a false image of outsiders.

Key Takeaway

Question beyond stereotypes.

Themes

media identity culture stereotypes misrepresentation

Mood

critical skeptical

Type

analytical observational

When to use this quote

  • journalism
  • law enforcement
  • community outreach
  • education programs

Key Concepts

social construction mythmaking subculture

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does media shape our view of subcultures?
  • What responsibilities do journalists have?
A Different Perspective

The portrayal can be sensationalized, obscuring individual humanity.

2.2 out of 5 (7 ratings)

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