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Harley-Davidson<\/a> Inc. dropped several diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives after weeks of sustained\u00a0pressure<\/a>\u00a0from an anti-DEI crusader.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Milwaukee-based company on Monday said that it no longer has\u00a0minority-owned supplier<\/a>\u00a0spending goals, will drop socially-motivated training for employees and make other changes to back away from diversity programs. The motorcycle maker also hasn\u2019t operated a corporate DEI function since April, it said in a statement posted to social media platform X<\/a>.<\/p>\n Harley joins Tractor Supply<\/a> Co., Deere<\/a> & Co., and competitor Polaris<\/a> Inc. in scaling back or changing DEI policies following an ongoing campaign by activist Robby Starbuck on social media against what he calls woke corporations. The retreats are part of a broader\u00a0backlash<\/a>\u00a0against corporate DEI that has companies re-examining programs added over the last several years.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are saddened by the negativity on social media over the last few weeks, designed to divide the Harley-Davidson community,\u201d Harley said in its statement. \u201cAs a company, we take this issue very seriously, and it is our responsibility to respond with clarity, action and facts.\u201d<\/p>\n We remain committed to listening to all members of our community as we continue on our journey together as one Harley-Davidson. United We Ride.\u00a0pic.twitter.com\/0feGYhTUMh<\/a>\u2014 Harley-Davidson (@harleydavidson)\u00a0August 19, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Harley declined to comment beyond its written statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n The motorcycle maker said in an\u00a0email<\/a>\u00a0to staff on July 26 that had begun a review of its \u201cstakeholder and outreach activities\u201d earlier this year, before Starbuck began targeting the manufacturer. The company on Monday said the changes that it made were the result of that review.\u00a0<\/p>\n The company said it will no longer participate in an annual rating of LGBTQ acceptance conducted by the Human Rights Campaign. It will also reorganize employee resource groups to focus solely on business development, mentoring and training.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s time to get rid of these policies and bring back a sense of neutrality and sanity in corporate America,\u201d Starbuck said in an interview. He credited the spread of posts on social media, particularly from Harley influencers, for the company\u2019s move.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe kind of reached critical mass,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Harley-Davidson is dealing with an avalanche of videos like this from the most influential biker influencer channels. Guys like this have dedicated followings who will never go to\u00a0@harleydavidson<\/a>\u00a0again unless they apologize + make real changes.\u00a0pic.twitter.com\/AuUPd6Qrue<\/a>\u2014 Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck)\u00a0August 19, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Companies are caught in a cross-current of competing ideals on corporate diversity initiatives. A Washington Post-Ipsos poll in April found 61% of adults think DEI programs in the workplace are \u201ca good thing.\u201d At the same time, a majority of respondents said that companies shouldn\u2019t take a stance on current events in a\u00a0survey<\/a>\u00a0from Bentley University and Gallop.<\/p>\n Tractor maker Deere and farming equipment retailer Tractor Supply\u00a0pulled back<\/a>\u00a0on their DEI programs after being criticized by Starbuck earlier this year. Deere last month said it will\u00a0no longer participate<\/a>\u00a0in \u201ccultural awareness parades\u201d and its business resource groups will focus \u201cexclusively\u201d on professional development, networking, mentoring and supporting talent recruitment.<\/p>\n Starbuck said that he has already picked his next social media target and may launch a campaign as soon as this week. He declined to name the company, only saying that it has a \u201cvery conservative\u201d customer base.<\/p>\n Harley\u2019s shares were little changed at 3:11 p.m. in New York.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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