Willie, Say It Ain't So!

So, here we go again.  I was contacted by David Knapp, about a problem he was having at his job with the Battle flag.  As he was telling me about the situation something did not sound right and I finally asked him, “What company do you work for?” the answer shocked me to say the least and I just sat in my chair with my mouth hung open.    I just could not believe that this company would every do this to our flag let alone cause as much hurt as they were causing. The first incident occurred around April of 2001.  An employee at the plant decided that he did not like the Confederate flag stickers on David’s motorcycle helmet.  This was and still is the helmet that David has worn and brought onto company property many times, for many years and with the same stickers on the helmet.  It was reported and he was taken to Human Resources.  He was told not to bring the helmet onto company property anymore.  He did what he was told. The second incident occurred around June of 2001.  He wore a T-shirt to work, which has a Confederate flag on the front, along with the works “Heritage Not Hate.”  Again, the shirt was not liked because of the flag.  David told me he believed that the same person reported him again.  As before he was taken to Human Resources to see the HR manger, Carolyn Boyer.  This time, she told David that she did not see anything wrong with the shirt, but because one person did find something wrong with the shirt, the shirt was to be considered offensive and David was not allowed to wear it anymore.  David was further informed that he was not to bring anything else onto company property that promotes white superiority or promotes racism, or he would lose his job.  This statement and the following statement is what clinched it for David.  Carolyn Boyer told David that once he passed through the gates of the plant he lost all his constitutional right and he became property of the company. David told me in his opinion, and the opinion of many of his co-workers, “that makes me a slave. I am slave to no one.”   Now to go along with this incident, about two days later, somebody on the plant floor got David’s attention to show him a T-shirt a “colored person” was wearing.  It said, “when God made black people, he was just showing off.”  He told me he found this offensive and many of his co-workers had the same view.  David reported it to the HR and the lady, who was wearing the T-shirt,  returned from Human Resources,  still wearing the T-shirt and David was told that it was not offensive.  David said to me, “Now what’s wrong here.  A white man can’t wear a shirt with a positive message on it , but a black person can wear a shirt which was clear to many people to be a racial statement.  This sounds like discrimination to me.”  The third incident happened on October 31, 2001.  That’s right Halloween.  It turns out that David is a Confederate re-enactor and just like many years in the past, at least as far back as 1995, he has worn his Confederate uniform as a costume.  His co-workers love it and they would ask all kinds of questions and sometimes he would get a few recruits from wearing his uniform.  Not this year!  Again,  he was taken to Human Resource and the uniform was found offensive.  He was suspended without pay for three days.  Oh, but he was not the only one with this problem.  His 1st Sgt. was also suspended for three days without pay also. What really got me was that, as with Du Pont, the union representation pretty much kept their mouths shut and cowered in the corner during the meeting with the HR manager.  They, as at Du Pont, did not stand behind David but hid under the table.  The union did not stand up for any of the other incidents.  So, just to remind you both men were on the street for three days. Now here is a real kick in the hind end.  After the Sept 11 attacks a “colored man” came to work the week after wearing his Islamic clothing,” bragging and talking that America got what it deserved.”  “ Once again, sounds like discrimination to me.”  David said.  “I’ve been a loyal employee for this company for going on 11 years.  But this politically correct bull has got to stop.” One last note on the subject before I tell you who the company is.  The company is now after David’s brother. Have you guessed the name of the company?  Hint:  it is in York, Pennsylvania.  Willie G is big in the company.   Now you have it, it is HARLEY- DAVIDSON. Right about now all of you HOG riders are just about to get ugly.  What I will ask you and this includes all Southern Americans is to call, write and e-mail Willie G and let him know how you feel.  And to make thing fun I will give you some other information you may want to use.  So get fired up and melt their lines down.