Harley-Davidson has "tweaked" a long-time policy which bans its dealers from selling t-shirts bearing the Confederate battle flag symbol.
HD released this statement. “It’s been our longstanding approach that the Confederate flag may not be used by the company, its licensees or its dealers in connection with the Harley-Davidson trademark or logo, on any products, signs or other materials,” a statement from H-D said. “We have, over time, made a very few, short-term exceptions in which the Confederate flag appeared in a design with the Harley-Davidson brand. These exceptions were primarily in the historical context, understanding that for some of our customers and dealers, the Confederate flag represents a very rich and proud heritage. These designs were reviewed on a case- by-case basis (for example, there was a small group of designs approved to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and were primarily available at dealerships near battleground sites).
This recent action has some dealers upset. Russell Abernathy, owner of Abernathy’s Harley-Davidson in Union City, Tenn. made this post on Facebook which quickly went viral, “As of today, we have been informed Harley-Davidson will no longer let any Harley Davidson Dealership sell any T-shirts with the Confederate Battle Flag on the back. This is truly a sad day in the History of the United States. Pray for the future of this country, as it needs help now. God Bless America!!!!!!!!!!"
In 1977, Harley-Davidson released a Confederate Special Edition model with the flag painted on the gas tank.
The statement continued, “In light of recent events and the evolving cultural discussion surrounding what the Confederate flag represents, we, like many other companies, have taken a very close look at how our brand has been used in conjunction with the Confederate flag…and will no longer consider limited exceptions to this approach. We believe this is consistent with Harley-Davidson’s role in welcoming people from all walks of life into our family of riders and fostering the common bond our brand represents in uniting riders of diverse backgrounds and experiences.”
118 comments
I can’t beleive that people are actually banning the confederate battle flag.Like it or not the flag exits and is a very big part of our history.The fact that some crazy had a picture of him with the flag is no excuse to ban it.Whats next,ban every thing that offends every one?Then we would have nothing .Think about it.
All I read was “We, at Harley Davidson Motorcycles, openly admit that we are as uneducated and clueless about the Battle Flag of Northern Virginia as the dumbasses running our country in the White House.”
It is truly sad that a company with a logo so rich with heritage would take a stance against another historical logo steeped with heritage. Who knows with Harley having it’s customers with their backgrounds may find themselves the next to be found offensive to a group of people that consider it a sign of white ruff neck bikers and find themselves fighting to keep their logo from being banned so as not to offend others. It is true shame and … cowardess to me. To me these logos go hand and hand as to many others
This truly is a sad day not just because u banned apart of our history but you as a comany in america let yourselves be told you cannot have apiece of history in your clothing harley davidson i thought would not let themselves be to told how to run a comany thats been around for a very long time
The Confederate Battle Flag, does not belong to Harley-Davidson, nor does it belong to anyone except those that fought under it during the War Between the States. This does not bother me, what does bother me is the political correct idiots that have came into the south and stirred up so much trouble about the flag. Now people who know nothing what so ever about the flag or its meaning, want it and other Confederate memorials, and even graves removed. The flag is history, it should be treated as a historical symbol of that war, it does not stand for racism or hatred toward anyone. Being on a motorcycle gas tank from a manufacturer is OK, and it was only allowed for a few select areas. But it being removed has no effect on what is going on now. As for t-shirts that should be left up to the manufacturer and the dealerships. If you buy a Harley and want a Confederate flag on the gas tank, get one air-brushed on, but leave it at that, no extra remarks.