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Tag: Black Lives Matter

  • You want politics out of NASCAR? It has to be all or nothing.

    You want politics out of NASCAR? It has to be all or nothing.

    It felt gross typing that, honestly. Just flat out nasty. How is that so? Well, for one, in a normal year there would be more of a chance to write and talk about the NASCAR Playoffs, who is in and who is out, who looks the strongest, so on and so on. But instead, we still have to talk about ideological issues in the sport of NASCAR.

    When Bubba Wallace began speaking up as a person of color, it set in motion the greatest paradigm shift in a sport that has received years of flak for being predominantly white and predominantly male. Wallace saw his chance to use his platform as a person of color to help push awareness of the systemic racism which plagues America. Of course; he’s a human being who has been vocal on what it’s like to be profiled as a black person in America. This in the face of a constant stream of brutality and racism, and the fact that he put his best foot forward did not go unnoticed.

    While it brought eyes onto the sport in a positive manner, it also disrupted and angered those who just wanted to keep to the status quo. Due to that, the anger came pouring in. Go on Facebook or Twitter on any NASCAR account and there’s undoubtedly going to be countless posters quick to swipe at Wallace for “bringing politics into NASCAR” and denouncing Wallace following Talladega where his team found that the pull chord to the door at his garage stall was fashioned into a noose even if the topic has nothing to do with Wallace.

    Somehow, these are people who believe that the ethical treatment of black people and the call to admonish acts of racism and unwarranted police brutality is somehow “political.” That in itself is a thought process that takes Olympic-level mental gymnastics. These are people who say they aren’t racist because they have “one black friend,” yet they are quick to downplay the plight of a black man or woman because they’ve never experienced that plight themselves. Even if they truly aren’t racist, they’re still operating on an unconscious bias and that’s not okay.

    Please explain how any of the above is political, then explain why it’s okay for GoFas Racing to run a Trump 2020 car or Tim Viens to make an appearance in a Trump 2020 rap video (WARNING: High cringe factor). Explain why it’s okay that the Daytona 500 this year was briefly turned into a Trump rally? That’s politics, isn’t it? The president of the United States isn’t a God or a King, but just another man employed as a politician, right? If the leap can be made to explain why Trump making appearances in 2020 is okay while Bubba Wallace becoming a BLM advocate isn’t, well, the comment section is below.

    We live in a divided time, and suffice to say, we need to be united. Calling for violence against those with differing political ideologies isn’t a uniting tactic. Blaming the problems that we’re facing as a country on those with differing political ideologies isn’t a uniting tactic. In all honesty that only adds to the problem. One look at all the cries of violence toward those of a different skin color or religion or creed on social media is all the proof you need.

    Instead, taking a stand to speak out on the injustices made on fellow Americans and calling for a change isn’t a political matter. Therefore, it is a uniting matter. Becoming an ally, a voice for the voiceless, that’s a humanitarian thing. That’s base human ethics. Just because a politician condemns it to their base doesn’t make it any less so. How is that? Well, simple. Politicians are humans just like the rest of us.

    When it comes down to it, it isn’t human or ethical or Christ-like to demean a human being because of their skin color. It’s a political thing, sure, depending on the politician in question. In that case, wouldn’t it be prudent to remove all mention of that politician from the sport if “politics in NASCAR” is truly ruining the sport? In a word, yes. But is it going to happen? No, because teams are privately owned and the choice to run a political campaign on a car or a politically aligned affiliation such as the National Rifle Association is really up to the team owner.

    So if it’s okay for the owners to run a politically based scheme on their teams, it’d make sense for another team to endorse a humanitarian scheme if it’s something they truly back, right? Right. There are those on social media who think Richard Petty and company need to fire Wallace; they don’t realize that when the racism in the garage was more blatant and prevalent, Petty was one of Wendell Scott’s biggest advocates. This is the same Scott who is the only black man in the NASCAR Hall of Fame, in case there’s any questions. Petty has seen what hate looks like and has stared down inequality through the years in the NASCAR garage; few people in NASCAR are as qualified to speak on it as Petty. So if Petty thinks the case in legitimate when it comes to Wallace, it probably is.

    I’d like to get back to writing about how Wallace’s quiet consistency on the track is netting him a career-high season so far, and I’d love to get back to discussing the merits of the 2020 Silly Season. I’d love to talk about my newfound love of the FIA Formula E series. But as long as ignorant people continue to take ignorant stances and whitewash the inequality problem we have as Americans, and as long as people continue to assert that some people shouldn’t have basic rights including the right to be treated with dignity, then it looks like it’ll continue to be a topic to be written on. Inequality and divisiveness aren’t going to go away just by being ignored. For that matter, they’re not going to even be tolerated. Nobody has the right to dehumanize anyone else.

    In closing, you say you want politics out of NASCAR? Then take the stand and make the moves to take politicians out of NASCAR. Ethical matters aren’t political matters.

  • Opinion: Wallace’s detractors proof that NASCAR “fandom” can still be pretty toxic

    Opinion: Wallace’s detractors proof that NASCAR “fandom” can still be pretty toxic

    Come to think of it, that’s not much of an opinion, it’s a fact. Some of you reading this are proof that social media really isn’t for everyone. I know I should delete my Facebook. It doesn’t really do me any good except for pictures of my kids and talking to old college buddies. But every time I see a NASCAR social media post I can pretty much be assured that someone is going to be quick to let the world know that “Bubba Wallace is a disgrace to NASCAR” and “LOL Bubba Smollett” and “Bubba Wallace is ruining NASCAR.”

    To those who continually spout that nonsense, delete that. Then delete your Facebook. Or Twitter. Or Instagram if you’ve figured out how to work the camera on your phone for more than selfies to fit your Facebook profile picture banner.

    It’s one thing to not like a driver. Back in the day I was a die-hard Dale Earnhardt Sr./Jr. fan and detested that No. 24 Dupont Chevrolet of Jeff Gordon. I would have given anything to see Gordon wad up that Hendrick Chevy in person, right? That comes with the territory of fandom. You love your team and loathe their rivals with a passion; I can tell you right now as an Oklahoma Sooners fan I take every opportunity I can to deface Texas Longhorns memorabilia.

    There’s that, then there are the social media cries for Wallace to be fired, or hanged, or harmed. There’s calls comparing him to Jussie Smollett, the actor who faked an attack on his person. There are claims that his activism and push for inclusion in the sport is ruining the sport. There are claims that because he’s black that he’s automatically a thug. That’s not a matter of fandom – that’s a matter of ignorance. If that’s you, then there’s no place for you in today’s NASCAR. The sanctioning body is making that clear.

    I engaged one of the ranks on a NASCAR social media page. In retrospect, that was a bad idea, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. I was feeling a bit rambunctious, and I made the claim that “with all the Bubba hate, you might as well just come right out and say that you hate black people in NASCAR.” I don’t really know what I was expecting, but I wasn’t surprised when the first response I got was “hell yeah I do, don’t you?”

    Really? This isn’t okay. Nothing about that is helping bring any fans or money to the sport. We should be celebrating that for the first time since the hazy days of Brian France the sport is actually reaching the demographic it’s wanted for some time and is actually growing in the manner it’s been aspiring to for awhile. We should celebrate that just as we should celebrate our differences. It shouldn’t be hard, right?

    For some, it’s rocket science. The same morons who no doubt grudgingly wear their face mask in public underneath their noses are the same folks stuck in Talladega a month ago, looking for any reason they can to discredit Wallace. “LOL Bubba Smollett!” Actually, Wallace didn’t find the noose, his crew did. “It was fake!” Actually, the noose was there awhile – talk about poor coincidence. “NASCAR is pandering to Wallace!” Well Karen, if you weren’t boasting about wanting to drag Wallace around pit road with your truck’s bumper then maybe his crew and the NASCAR officials wouldn’t feel like they need to be on their guard. They acted accordingly because your dumb ass made a scene because your beloved Confederate flag got taken away.

    Wallace’s stance and activism is bringing high-profile eyes to the sport. This is a good thing. Repeat, this is a good thing. You might not agree with it – okay. One of the great things about being an American is the right to have a different opinion. However, just because you have a different opinion doesn’t mean it matters, just like your Facebook status about how much you hate Wallace. You can cry “Free Speech” all you want, but every right you have has a consequence attached to it.

    That being said, if you’re one of those who thinks it’s their standing in life, their “right,” their raison d’être, to be as hateful as possible regarding Wallace and what he’s doing to and for the sport, you might have a bit of the ol’ racism bone in you. At the very least you’re suffering from an unconscious bias. Whatever it is, it’s something that requires some introspection and reflection – you’re the problem. Not Wallace, not NASCAR, not Richard Petty – you.

    You can hide behind your whataboutisms, your Facebook/Twitter/Instagram memes, your white privilege, whatever. But in the end, you’re getting left behind by the sport. NASCAR has done a great job in looking back at the less-than-savory aspects of it’s past and doing what they can to rectify the situation. Not only do we, the fans who truly care and want to see the sport grow and be appreciated by everyone (not just white Southerners), appreciate that, the world appreciates that. You’re more than welcome to join as long as you’re not a jerk, but something tells me that’s more than what your wounded pride can bear.

    So for that, go ahead and hide behind your facades and excuses. Continue making racist cracks and hating a driver because he’s a human too. Continue telling everyone on every NASCAR fan group that you don’t watch NASCAR anymore – nobody cares. You’re as relevant as the hipster in the coffee shop with his laptop open because he wants the world to know he’s writing the next great American novel. Meanwhile, you’re a part of the toxic problem that plagues an otherwise decent fandom. This may be a source of pride for you, but in all actuality, you should probably get some help for that.

    Until then, wear your mask in public, at least. Make sure it covers your nose too.

  • Opinion: NASCAR should be proud of its response to the recent protests

    Opinion: NASCAR should be proud of its response to the recent protests

    I can already hear the cringe and feel the heat radiating off of those reading this title and getting angry. To be fair, I don’t really care one way or another. In a world of violent dissent and injustice, no sport is better versed to speak out on the recent protests against systemic racism than NASCAR given it’s roots in the Jim Crow-era South back in the day.

    On Sunday before the NASCAR Cup Series event at Atlanta, the pre-race ceremonies were directed toward the recent Black Lives Matter protests, with several drivers going as far as to make recordings of themselves speaking out for the need for change in how we as people need to be more aware toward the plights of our fellow men and women regardless of difference. Along with that several crew members were seen holding up shirts regarding BLM and emblazoned with George Floyd’s likeness and his last words, which were “I Can’t Breathe.” Floyd was killed by Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin on May 25; his death was the catalyst for the widespread protests which are now taking place to protest police brutality and systemic racism.

    Along with that, during the pace laps before the green flag NASCAR President Steve Phelps stopped the field on the track to speak on the need for change not only in our sport but in our community before taking a moment of silence to reflect on those affected by racial injustice. NASCAR official Kirk Price, who is black, was also seen kneeling on pit road before the event.

    All in all, it’s safe to say NASCAR has been responding to these protests amazingly; perhaps the best out of the sports world. That’s especially when taking into consideration the NFL’s response to Colin Kaepernick’s peaceful protests from a few years back. One of the driving forces behind NASCAR’s response to the BLM protests has been Cup driver Bubba Wallace, the only black driver in the series. Wallace and fellow Cup driver Ty Dillon held a discussion on Dillon’s Instagram page, where they discussed Wallace’s experiences with racism and what the NASCAR community could do to listen and better themselves in the face of such injustice and inequality. Wallace followed this up with appearances on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast, the Dale Jr. Download, and on CNN where he was interviewed by Don Lemon.

    Of course, leave it to social media to foul up a beautiful, powerful thing. Check Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, wherever. There’s a lot of positivity and pride coming from those places, but there’s also an asinine amount of people threatening to boycott and leave the sport. Fine, let them. It’s just difficult to understand why it’s so hard for people to actually sit down and listen and try to understand why these protests are being held, and why NASCAR responded the way it did.

    Let’s put it this way – white privilege does exist. I explained it like this to my mother: When the Black Lives Matter movement first came about, I thought it had a good message behind it. Maybe they were a bit extra, because “didn’t All Lives Matter?” I spent my time talking about it with black acquaintances trying to prove to them and myself that I was “aware” of my white privilege and therefore I was “trying” to avoid using it. I know in retrospect I was still pretty ignorant, because the thing was I was speaking from white privilege while trying to deny my own white privilege.

    As a white man, when I get pulled over, say, for going 86 in a 70 (happened in 2011 on my way to my first editor job at a newspaper in Memphis, Texas. Good times.), my first thought was “I hope the ticket isn’t too big.” That, and “Maybe I could talk the Sheriff and the Justice of the Peace into maybe lowering it for me.” They actually ended up lowering it for me. But for a lot of black people, when they get pulled over their first thought is, “I hope I don’t die today.”

    I hope I don’t die today. That’s an emotion that a lot of us feel during our lives – I hope I don’t die today. I don’t want to die. But a lot of us are so caught up in our white privilege that we’re almost comfortable in it. A lot of times our biggest concern is who is on the pole for Martinsville, or if the No. 98 can win the Xfinity Series title this season. But for a lot of our black peers (or any of our peers of colors for that matter), there’s a chance they could face a form of racial indignity or worse on a daily basis. And our modus operandi for the whole thing has just been “Oh darn. That’s too bad.” Seriously – we’re okay with this?

    There are those who are angry saying that NASCAR shouldn’t be getting “all political.” Where were you at when the Daytona 500 Trump Rally happened in February? Where were you when the presidential limo paced the field of the Great American Race? Are you really against politics in NASCAR or just politics you don’t agree with in NASCAR? Because when all is said and done, speaking out on the injustices and crimes committed against our fellow men and women such as Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Michael Brown, Philando Castile, so on and so forth…none of that is political. It’s about doing what’s right for the people that we share this community and this world with.

    Not all cops are bad. Not all whites are racist. But until we suffocate systemic racism, and truly adhere to idea that black lives truly do matter, then “All Lives Matter” is just lip service without action. Of course all lives matter, but we’e operating under the notion that some lives matter more than others. This is unacceptable. This isn’t how good people should operate.

    Still, there are those who get angry because buildings and businesses have been burned and looted saying that they only support peaceful protesters. What did you say when Kaepernick took a knee before every football game? Did you support his right to peaceful protest? Or did you call him a son of a bitch for “disrespecting the American flag (please, read up on the U.S. Flag Code before you insult Old Glory with your hypocrisy. I beg of you.)?” If your primary concern is the structural damage of buildings burned and vandalized by these protests and not of the injustice suffered by people of color, then you’re a part of the problem. John F. Kennedy once said, “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.” Where are we now, guys?

    We can do better. We need to do better. We’re better than the people making jokes at the expense of protesters and victims alike. We’re better than supporting the divisiveness of our country. We can listen, we can change. NASCAR, who once initially denied a black man his first Cup Series win on the basis of his skin color, proved that on Sunday and has been killing it with their response to the BLM protests. This is the first time in a long time I have truly been proud to be a NASCAR fan and I know there are thousands more who feel the same way.

    What drove this home was a Reddit thread in the subreddit r/pics. A user had posted a picture of Wallace wearing a BLM shirt under his firesuit, and the response was nothing short of overwhelming to see. Sure, there were jokes and cries of “Virtue Signaling!” and “Fire him!” and “I’mma bet the Nascar rednecks hated that!”, but ultimately the responses were positive and several users admitted that they were going to follow and support NASCAR based off of their support for the protests and their call for change in our communities.

    On that note, good job, NASCAR. This is the response you need in this day and age.