Staff Reports
Harley-Davidson has recently decided to detach itself from the increasingly unpopular coils of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) mandates after a significant backlash bubbled up from its core consumer base. The iconic motorcycle manufacturer announced this retreat on August 19, signaling a newfound resistance to the woke tactics that have been squeezing the life out of so many American companies. Joining a growing list of corporations, including John Deere, that have jumped off the DEI train, Harley seems to have finally heard the unmistakable roar of the people.
According to the company, they have not utilized a DEI function since April 2024. In a move that will undoubtedly please the average American biker, Harley revealed that it wouldn’t be employing hiring quotas, nor would it be funding supplier diversity initiatives. It’s almost as if they’ve taken a long, hard look in the mirror and realized that their customers aren’t interested in a side of social justice with their hog.
Harley Davidson Backtracks on DEI Policies After Backlash https://t.co/ZEskOZivSb
— Signal Squid (@SignalSquid) August 22, 2024
While the Milwaukee-based brand insists it will still “listen” to its community, consumers have made it clear they don’t want to engage in woke nonsense. They’re more interested in revving engines and the thrill of the open road, not navigating the slippery slopes of political correctness. The backlash has forced Harley to reconsider its alliances too, including terminating ties with the Human Rights Campaign and potentially scaling back support for Gay Pride festivals. Instead, the company plans to pivot back to its roots, spotlighting events steeped in the rich heritage of motorcycling. It seems like a sensible strategy—after all, a bikers’ rally is a tad more appealing than a diversity seminar.
The conservative activist Robby Starbuck has played a pivotal role in shining a spotlight on Harley’s descent into wokeness. Starbuck, who’s made waves by challenging DEI agendas across multiple corporations, took to social media to express his disdain for Harley’s policies, boasting that he would “expose” the company’s woke initiatives. It would seem his efforts have paid off, as this latest corporate reversal serves as another notch on the belt of the pushback against out-of-touch corporate ideologies.
If there’s a lesson to be learned here, it’s that companies like Harley-Davidson can’t afford to ignore their customer’s sentiments. In a marketplace where loyalty is often hard-won but easily lost, aligning with the values of die-hard motorcycle fans is far more prudent than pandering to social justice warriors. The roar of a Harley is far less likely to be silenced by the discontent of a vocal minority when its heart is in the right place. It’s time for more corporations to follow in Harley’s tire tracks, laying down the woke silliness and revving up their commitment to traditional values.
