As Sonny Barger once put it in an interview "Every Hells Angels chapter is autonomous" meaning they make their own set of rules and bylaws which are based on a standard set of rules from the National Chapter in their area. This simply means each chapter is self-governed and independent.

In other words each individual chapter can decide what rules they follow and can vote on who they want to be members including women. True many blacks are turned down only because they have their own black clubs they can join and some just aren't biker material. Its not about being in a gang which is why many people no matter what color they are have to be turned down. Most clubs select who they want to join and most citizens don't just knock on the door of the Hells Angels and beg to be members. In other words you have to establish yourself first by getting credibility and respect in the biker world this is usually done by knowing someone personally that is a patchholder, rubbing shoulders at local bars for a few years or by joining a Support Club or Puppet Club of a larger MC and work your way up into a prestigious and worldly recognized Club like the Bandidos, Hells Angels or Outlaws.