Since I inadvertently threadjacked the Superbug thread I thought it would be good to start a thread specifically on Sons of Anarchy thoughts including why it was a microcosm of modern tribalism.
To start, best define tribalism: Per the Oxford Dictionary it is - The state or fact of being organized in a tribe or tribes, and behaviour and attitudes that stem from strong loyalty to one’s own tribe or social group. Not the best definition but enough to work from.
So how does this play out in Sons of Anarchy?
SOA at its core is the story of a very close knit Outlaw Motorcycle Club. The club is characterized by its members being VERY loyal to it. They treat other full members like actual brothers, and their women (once they graduate to being an "old lady") are both fiercely protected and wield a good amount of authority inside the club themselves.
Note this already shows tribal characteristics. The first loyalty is to the group.
Another tribal like characteristic is the entire concept of "prospecting" and "full patch". A Prospect becomes one by vote of the full members, and for their prospecting period they are under evaluation. They do the menial work a lot and get tested a lot, but at one level they are part of the tribe because the club is loyal to its prospects.
Eventually the club will decide whether a Prospect is worthy of receiving the full patch. Again it is by vote, and when the vote happens the Prospect is informed that they are now a "brother", receive their patch and (at least in the case of SAMCRO) it seems most of them get one or more tattoos that show the same imagery as the patch.
This parallels the processes tribes throughout history used to vet and add new members.
I'll probably add more thoughts in a bit. What are your thoughts?
To start, best define tribalism: Per the Oxford Dictionary it is - The state or fact of being organized in a tribe or tribes, and behaviour and attitudes that stem from strong loyalty to one’s own tribe or social group. Not the best definition but enough to work from.
So how does this play out in Sons of Anarchy?
SOA at its core is the story of a very close knit Outlaw Motorcycle Club. The club is characterized by its members being VERY loyal to it. They treat other full members like actual brothers, and their women (once they graduate to being an "old lady") are both fiercely protected and wield a good amount of authority inside the club themselves.
Note this already shows tribal characteristics. The first loyalty is to the group.
Another tribal like characteristic is the entire concept of "prospecting" and "full patch". A Prospect becomes one by vote of the full members, and for their prospecting period they are under evaluation. They do the menial work a lot and get tested a lot, but at one level they are part of the tribe because the club is loyal to its prospects.
Eventually the club will decide whether a Prospect is worthy of receiving the full patch. Again it is by vote, and when the vote happens the Prospect is informed that they are now a "brother", receive their patch and (at least in the case of SAMCRO) it seems most of them get one or more tattoos that show the same imagery as the patch.
This parallels the processes tribes throughout history used to vet and add new members.
I'll probably add more thoughts in a bit. What are your thoughts?