NASCAR Announces Ban on Confederate Flag at Official Events
Once upon a time, 13 states got together to start their own country. They were all located in the Southeastern United States. They called themselves the Confederate States of America. And those states lost. Hard. They found themselves under reconstruction for around a decade, while their precious “lost cause” of enshrining slavery collapsed in a blaze of glory. Black Americans were free from their bondage to forge their own destinies.
However, a lot of white people couldn’t let go of the fact the Confederacy lost. They erected statues in honor of the traitors who fought for slavery, disguising it as “Southern heritage.” The Rebel flag — a combination of the Confederate naval and battle flags — was part of this story, too. Especially in NASCAR, a sport born in the Southeast.
Until today. NASCAR officially announced it is banning all Confederate flags from its tracks and events effective immediately.
NASCAR Bans the Confederate Flag
“The presence of the confederate flag at NASCAR events runs contrary to our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans, our competitors and our industry,” NASCAR stated. “Bringing people together around a love for racing and the community that it creates is what makes our fans and sport special. The display of the confederate flag will be prohibited from all NASCAR events and properties.”
The announcement follows a call by NASCAR Cup star Bubba Wallace. Wallace told CNN “no one should feel uncomfortable when they come to a NASCAR race. It starts with Confederate flags. Get them out of here. They have no place for them.”
The action follows others related to Confederate monuments, including one of Confederate general Robert E. Lee in Richmond, Virginia, according to NBC affiliate WBBT-TV.
Wallace offers words to those refusing NASCAR’s decision on the divisive symbol of hate: “Get back on the road where you came from. We should not be able to have an argument over that. It is a thick line we cannot cross anymore.”
Photos: Facebook/Bubba Wallace