Tractor Supply backlash on diversity, equity and inclusion shows 'anti-wokeness' run amok

Letters to the Editor
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Tractor Supply capitulated to an anti-woke Californian

“Tractor Supply altering its initiatives.” That was the headline in the July 3, 2024 business section of the Tennessean.

Reading the article I was very impressed with Tractor Supply's business attitude and with there actually having a feeling for their employees and the environment plus accepting people no matter the color of their skin or their choice of whom they want to love i/e LGBTQ+ community.

Then we have a far right winger from California, (Robby Starbuck) sticking his nose in how he thinks Tractor Supply should be running their business. Robby Starbuck then said that “I'm a Tennessean who loves to support TN companies but as a proud Tennessean I know these woke priorities don't align with our state or @TractorSupply's customer base.”

I have a request for Robby Starbuck. Please take your anti-woke posterior back to California where you belong.

I hope seeing that Tractor Supply has kowtowed to the far right they don't lose too many customers but I for one will now go back to supporting my local Ace Hardware and Home Depot and Lowes.

If I wasn't such an old geezer, I wouldn't mind working for Tractor. Supply before they fell for such bunk from Robby Starbuck.

Richard Barlow, Nashville 37217

Tractor Supply plans to add about 100 new stores in fiscal 2017.
Tractor Supply plans to add about 100 new stores in fiscal 2017.

Tractor Supply controversy benefits ‘culture war’ profiteers

Re: “Tractor Supply caved to anti-DEI pressure. Their promises were too good to be true,” by David Plazas.

I don't know how much our local Tractor Supply store has been affected by this, but I think it's worth examining, since it's at the heart of a nationwide trend infecting our politics:

A right-wing blogger targeted Tractor Supply because a lot of their customer base is rural and therefore good targets, and ginned up a campaign to get them to denounce their stated support for DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion), LGBTQ, and environmentalism.

Some customers dutifully complained, and the company put out a statement walking back those positions, that probably doesn't charge any of their actual policies or compliance with federal rules.

And now the left wing is attacking and boycotting, exactly as intended, right on time and right on script. And everybody gets to feel self-righteous. This is a perfect example of how easy it is to stir up the culture wars and everybody loses. The culture war and those who promote it are the problem here.

Personally, I don't ultimately care whether Tractor Supply “supports” LGBT, DEI, or environmental causes. I appreciate those companies who do, though many of them probably just do it for appearances in the first place.

What I care about is that people don't get so easily sucked into this “Civil War.” Those who promote it will not be participating, just sitting on the sidelines chuckling and profiting.

Jim Terr, Las Vegas, New Mexico 87701

Agree or disagree? Or have a view on another topic entirely? Send a letter of 250 words or fewer to letters@tennessean.com. Include your full name, city/town, ZIP and contact information for verification. Thanks for adding to the public conversation.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tractor Supply DEI rollback shows 'anti-wokeness' has gone too far