Biker, auto clubs shed stereotypes for relief work
By Chris Sykes, Staff Writer
Who says that the good guys only wear white?
Anyone inclined to agree with that stereotype probably would have been shocked had they visited East Orange City Hall recently and saw members of the High Rollaz and Brick City GM Crew motor vehicle clubs in their effort to help the city’s Haitian relief effort.
Dressed in black leather vests and jackets adorned with patches proclaiming their affiliations, the members seemed to shatter the stereotypes of the anti-social and, in some cases, dangerously sociopath images of so-called “biker gang” members that have appeared in the movies.
“We‘re not that type of crew,” said a member of the Brick City GM Crew. “We‘re a little bit of everything, but nothing bad. The High Rollaz contacted us and let us know that they could use all the help they could get for a good cause, so we came out here to do what we could.”
Big K, aka “Treese” from Brick City, said he agreed with this assessment. He said their organization is about “showing support and some love” to the East Orange community and Haiti.
“We‘re trying to change that perception of us as being the kind of tough, anti-social rebels and outlaws who do burnouts wheelies and other tricks in the streets. That’s not what it’s about,” said Taison Ali, Brick City’s founder. “We’re actually an auto club, not a bike club. We’ve been together for the last 10 years doing what we do.”
Ali said his group is also “into” helping out their respective communities, including East Orange and Newark. He said his members do charitable acts throughout the area all year.
“I came up in a household with 10 children and a single parent, so recessions and not always having enough to go around is nothing new to me or a lot of my other members. Our hearts go out to people in need because even though times were tough we never went to bed hungry,” said Ali. “This was just another way to help the Haitian earthquake victims and do something good for the community at the same time. My mother instilled those same values in me so I know that I have to give something back for all that I’ve gotten.”
Councilwoman Sharon Fields said it is that spirit, regardless of the outer trappings or clothing that it comes wrapped in, that prompted her to do something special for them and other “nontraditional” groups in the city.
Who says that the good guys only wear white?
Anyone inclined to agree with that stereotype probably would have been shocked had they visited East Orange City Hall recently and saw members of the High Rollaz and Brick City GM Crew motor vehicle clubs in their effort to help the city’s Haitian relief effort.
Dressed in black leather vests and jackets adorned with patches proclaiming their affiliations, the members seemed to shatter the stereotypes of the anti-social and, in some cases, dangerously sociopath images of so-called “biker gang” members that have appeared in the movies.
“We‘re not that type of crew,” said a member of the Brick City GM Crew. “We‘re a little bit of everything, but nothing bad. The High Rollaz contacted us and let us know that they could use all the help they could get for a good cause, so we came out here to do what we could.”
Big K, aka “Treese” from Brick City, said he agreed with this assessment. He said their organization is about “showing support and some love” to the East Orange community and Haiti.
“We‘re trying to change that perception of us as being the kind of tough, anti-social rebels and outlaws who do burnouts wheelies and other tricks in the streets. That’s not what it’s about,” said Taison Ali, Brick City’s founder. “We’re actually an auto club, not a bike club. We’ve been together for the last 10 years doing what we do.”
Ali said his group is also “into” helping out their respective communities, including East Orange and Newark. He said his members do charitable acts throughout the area all year.
“I came up in a household with 10 children and a single parent, so recessions and not always having enough to go around is nothing new to me or a lot of my other members. Our hearts go out to people in need because even though times were tough we never went to bed hungry,” said Ali. “This was just another way to help the Haitian earthquake victims and do something good for the community at the same time. My mother instilled those same values in me so I know that I have to give something back for all that I’ve gotten.”
Councilwoman Sharon Fields said it is that spirit, regardless of the outer trappings or clothing that it comes wrapped in, that prompted her to do something special for them and other “nontraditional” groups in the city.
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