People sometimes find billboards offensive. They may be trying to educate people about a controversial issue. Or maybe they’re just trying to take motorists’ attention away from the road and towards what they’re offering. However, a recent Harley-Davidson billboard that offended many people with its “offensive” language has sparked an uproar across the country.
The ad was uncomplicated. It encourages readers to ride a Harley and lead bolder lives.
The slogan was “Leave all the bulls in the wind behind.”
The ad, produced by Bayside Harley Davidson dealer in Portsmouth, was designed to appeal to those tempted to buy a motorcycle and hit the open road. Shawn Robinson, the dealership’s general manager, thought the slogan was great and wished people weren’t so sensitive to swear words in advertising.
“When you ride a bike, you really leave everything behind. You agree with the daily BS from your wife, boss, and kids. It’s a true saying because it’s gone.”
Robinson was amazed at how the billboard offended so many people around him. People immediately voiced their complaints about the sign along I-264 East by calling the dealership and leaving critical comments on social media.
Robinson said neither Harley Davidson nor the billboard company found the term derogatory.
However, many local men were outraged that Harley Davidson produced advertisements that had a negative impact on their sons and daughters.
“Before you know it, there will be nothing but a bunch of idiots cussing around my kids with zero respect for the innocent,” Brian Robbins said in the letter. This scares the crap out of my six year old who reads everything she sees. Keep young people in mind when using profanity. There is a right time and place for that. however, not on public roads.
Yes, free speech, agreed Mark Bethel. However, the billboard corporations have the final say.
Portsmouth Councilor Bill Moody said because the billboard was on Bayside property, he could do whatever he wanted.
Robinson stated, “We certainly didn’t mean to offend anyone when we put it up; it happened anyway. Like any ad, we’re hoping it gets some play in some way.”
But Robinson wished neighbors would look past the offensive language on the sign and address the real issues in the Portsmouth neighborhood.
“Given Portsmouth’s economic difficulties, I don’t believe there is any reason to be concerned about the word BS on a street sign. We need to allow a casino in the city center.”
On the sign, there is a division into several. Those who support Robinson’s stance agree that the brand was appropriate because it was designed to speak to cyclists. However, given that it was displayed along a public road, even parents of young children are right.
In many ways, this debate encompasses broader discussions about free speech, advertising ethics, and community standards. What is considered acceptable in one context may not be in another, and finding common ground can be a challenge. Ultimately, the fate of the controversial billboard may rest on a balance between the rights of private landowners and the responsibility to consider the impact on the public, especially impressionable minds.
As the controversy continues to grow, it raises questions about where the line should be drawn in advertising and whether businesses should prioritize attention-grabbing tactics over community sensitivities. It’s a debate that shows the complex dynamic between freedom of expression and the responsibility to be mindful of the different perspectives and sensitivities that exist in our society.
What do you consider a sign? Should he stay or should he go?