In a notable shift within corporate America, Harley-Davidson Inc. recently announced its decision to abandon its diversity efforts. This development follows a targeted campaign by right-wing commentator Robby Starbuck. Since early June, Starbuck has been actively identifying and publicizing companies whose diversity and sustainability commitments, he argues, are misaligned with their customer bases. Fashioning himself as a conservative muckraker, Starbuck has built a significant following on social media where he critiques what he describes as the “injection of wokeness” into corporate practices.
Starbuck’s influence is not limited to Harley-Davidson; he has also turned his scrutiny towards agricultural equipment manufacturer Deere & Co. and farming goods retailer Tractor Supply, among others. His efforts have sparked debate within the business community about the viability and customer reception of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs.
For those interested in further details, the full article by Beth Kowitt can be found here.