In recent years, marquee American companies such as Harley-Davidson and Bud Light have experienced a significant decline in their reputation, which some attribute to the impact of woke-inflicted culture wars. According to Jennifer Sey, a former senior marketing executive for Levi Strauss & Co., the key reason behind this corporate meltdown is the disrespect and alienation of core consumers in an attempt to expand and appeal to new markets.

Sey, who witnessed the corporate culture wars firsthand, believes that these companies have faltered in their pursuit of growth by abandoning their most loyal customers. She points to Harley-Davidson's German-born CEO and board chairman, Jochen Zeitz, as a prime example. Zeitz's attempt to reshape the iconic motorcycle's American image has been met with backlash from long-time customers who accuse him of pushing a progressive agenda that contradicts the values they hold dear.

During a 2020 conference in Switzerland, Zeitz himself declared, "We are trying to take on traditional capitalism and trying to redefine it." This statement further ignited discontent among Harley-Davidson's loyal customers. Corporate watchdog Robby Starbuck exposed Zeitz's internal agenda, leading to open rebellion against the brand.

The fallout from Zeitz's actions has been devastating for former Harley-Davidson dealership owner, Vinny Terranova, who expressed his heartbreak, saying, "They killed Harley. It breaks my heart." His sentiments are echoed by many others who feel that the brand has lost touch with its roots.

Sey's own experience at Levi Strauss & Co. shed light on the overarching issue plaguing these companies. As a "lifelong Democrat," Sey faced backlash when she opposed her own employer's response to COVID-19 and the subsequent school closures. The hostile environment forced Sey to leave Levi's after a lengthy career. She describes San Francisco, where Levi's is headquartered, as an aggressively conformist place that does not reflect inclusivity or progress.

After her departure, Sey relocated to Colorado and launched XX-XY Athletics, a performance apparel company that challenges the notion of gender as a spectrum. In Sey's eyes, there is empirical truth rooted in biology, and her company's name serves as a statement against the corruption of long-held truths.

According to Sey, the shift towards radical ideologies and the abandonment of traditional values is driven by elites trying to assuage their guilt about wealth and privilege. She points out the hypocrisy of corporate executives who champion public education while sending their own children to exclusive private schools.

Moreover, Sey believes that companies are now populated by Gen Z employees from a woke education system and universities. These employees, raised in safe spaces and vocal about their pronouns, are said to create an atmosphere of fear among executives, who are afraid of incurring social-media outrage and jeopardizing their own wealth and privileges.

In conclusion, Sey's insights shed light on the struggles faced by iconic American brands like Harley-Davidson. The clash between progressive ideologies and the values of loyal customers has resulted in a challenging environment for these companies. The future direction of these brands remains uncertain as they grapple with the balance between growth and preserving the essence of what made their products resonate with consumers in the first place.