In the 1920’s the Old South was renown for its relaxed pace of life, good weather, Jim Crow laws, and criminal moonshine bootlegger races. Inbetween the massacre of Rosewood and unknown numbers of lynchings southerners of the time would rally together under the confederate flag to watch the intermittent Sunday races of these speedy criminals. The popularity of these races grew over the decades until in 1947 NASCAR was born.
But the South was unable to captivate the nation with this new sports league as it was busy segregating it’s schools, diners, buses, and life in general. With the Confederate Flag never far the late 50’s and 60’s were filled with Civil Rights protests and marches – and police and firemen using fire hoses and dogs to attack these peaceful demonstrations. And even more lynchings, with an occasional murder of northern White activists.
Then in 1979, after the attention of the nation had been focused on Viet Nam and assumed all the ills of discrimination were absolved by the end of segregation (but not prejudice or discrimination), broadcast television presented the nation a new image of the Old South. In that year the Dukes of Hazzard aired on television.
The Dukes of Hazzard was a mix of old ideas about the South in a more modern package. As I recall the show was as segregated as most all television shows (including the majority of those on-air today) without a single Black character ever crossing the screen. The focus of the show was a family of criminals, moonshine runners, their conflicts with the corrupt but exceptionally familiar authorities, and a NASCAR-esque car featuring the confederate flag. In fact the show was so focused on the car, and the short cutoff jeans of the only female character, that NASCAR grew in attention and prominence.
Jumping forward 3 decades we reach today. A majority of television shows still lack any non-White characters [or present just one so they can claim they are being fair – though I think most cities these shows are based in have more than just the handful of non-Whites the programs insinuate] the Confederate Flag still flies across the South and on government buildings, and NASCAR is more popular than ever. While NASCAR is not directly segregated (there has been African American drivers, and there are non-Whites in the pit crews and support staff) it is blatantly worse than television in its diversity.
Of course many in the South and across the nation would not believe this single northern Black Puerto Rican when I point all this out. God knows they have sent me the letters and comments to tell me so. But then the New York Times, Associated Press, San Jose Mercury News, Fox News and many others presented a news story that goes right to my points.
They all are reporting on a lawsuit by a Black woman that was a former NASCAR official. I say former because when she complained about the sexual and racial and gender abuse and discrimination she was receiving she was fired. Which is against the law and NASCAR rules as I understand.
Mauricia Grant was hired in 2005 to work as a technical inspector on the Nationwide series. In the 22 months that she was employed she was called “Queen Sheba” “Nappy head Mo”, told to hide from the crowds of spectators, called a lesbian, asked to perform sex acts, told she works on “colored people time”, and provided multiple disturbing references to the Klu Klux Klan. That’s just a few of the things she had to deal with. When she filed a complaint, to Nationwide Series director Joe Balash he joined in on the merriment.
Ms. Grant is suing for $225 million.
Of course she will not get that amount. But that is not the issue. Nor is my obvious disdain for the Old South and the romanticized selective rememberances of its past and present. The issue is that in 50 years parts of America have successfully refused to alter their views on human beings. And the nation as a whole willfully accepts this with our collective heads in the sand.
I would like to believe that NASCAR as a whole is not like the allegations that have been leveled against them. I would like to believe that the fans of NASCAR do not share such beliefs. But I am hard pressed to believe that.
Were NASCAR to present the various trophies swaddled in a confederate flag, I would not be surprised. Nor would multitudes of the fans who carry their own flags, cars adorned ala the General Lee (name of the Dukes of Hazzard car), and robed in confederate flags made into shirts, shorts, pants and more. Were NASCAR to have a KKK night, handing out white robes to fans and lighting the track with burning torches, I would be mildly shocked. Not because they did it, but that inevitiably it would be televised. I’m sure some of the NASCAR fans dream of such a night.
I don’t find NASCAR interesting. Because it is a symbol of the Old South and what that factually represents. But fans should wonder about what NASCAR represents today, because the allegations leveled speak to an attitude that is more backward and brain-adled than virtually any stereotype or mockery of the South.
9 comments:
First of all I don't believe a word this woman is saying. Second I get tired of hearing about the confederate flag, that flag is just as much a part of history as slavery was and blacks sure like to bring up slavery every chance they get. I hate that we had slavery but we did and we learned from it. We now have a mixed black and white nominated for president and that tells me we have come a long way. If I was treated the way this woman says she was I would have put a stop to the problem the first time it happened by following company policy and quitting if need be. No one in their right mind sticks around for 22 months having those problems. The reason there are no black drivers is they can NOT get sponsership for them. If a black person wants to drive a race car they should look for sponsorship themselves and see how hard it is to get them because if a white team owner trys and fails to get sponsorship I bet the black would say he didn't try hard enough. Some blacks want everything without working hard for it. Well everybody that has anything or gets anywhere has to work for it, whites don't get given a thing they don't work for. This woman seen a way to get quick money and she went for it. She must have Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson behind her, they are good at blackmailing to make their money.
I say stop whining and do your job right and you may be able to get somewhere. But wait, you have blown it now. No good company would hire you if they are in their right mind and I'm sure you will end up with a LOT of money that you DON'T deserve. You haven't work for it yet again. When they set blacks free they thought everything was free from then on. We take three steps forward and a black comes along and sets us back 2.
Anonymous,
Your brilliance astounds me. The logic that you display has not been equaled since creation of protozoa’s (a single celled creature if you were wondering). The points you iterate are as straightforward as a Gordian knot. [I gave you protozoa, look it up] And in case you didn’t get it I am being sarcastic.
I realize you have an opinion, but I must ask where you form the idea that this woman has lied? What magical insight gives you such knowledge? Do you know her? Do you work with her? Based on your reluctance to provide any name, and the arbitrary nature of your arguments I have to believe you have no idea better than anyone else. Thus in taking the negative stance you highlight your support of NASCAR and dislike of her comments. [Of course I obviously have taken the converse position. Though that position has been backed up by the fact she has filed a lawsuit against a multi-million dollar industry which no one in their right mind would do lightly.]
Now if you are tired of hearing about the confederate flag, I suggest you ask millions of southerners to burn them and not stick them all over the place. I suggest you tell them to take it down from government buildings and off their cars and clothes. Because as long as it is in sight it is a statement of support of that history you so proudly want to remember parts of.
Perhaps you hate to be reminded of slavery because you feel guilt about something you have done in your life. Maybe it’s because you understand that the foundation of the nation was created on the backs and bones of African Americans, literally. Maybe you realize that the playing field in life is not even and your advantage gives you unease. But I doubt it.
You may not understand it, but in bringing up the unresolved past of America many African Americans are seeking to educate and heal the nation. Many are trying to ensure that actions of the past are never revisited, much like the way many Jews will not let their children forget the Holocaust. Because when people stop learning from the past, they tend to repeat it. You might recall all that from your high school history class.
By the way you say “I hate that we had slavery but we did and we learned from it. We now have a mixed black and white nominated for president and that tells me we have come a long way.”
We learned from it? When? Right after the 13th Amendment Jim Crow laws were enacted and remained in place for about 100 years. There were riots as millions of Whites resisted any repeal or change in the Jim Crow laws and segregation. But that was 40 years ago. Today we do have a Black Democratic nominee for President. Yet that does not correct or absolve the prejudice and inequality in this nation. The Rodney King beatings were nearly 2 decades ago, Sean Bell’s murder was last year as was the atrocity to Megan Williams. Where is the learning? This says nothing of the fact that minorities are underrepresented in ever executive position in every industry in America. A fact that is statistically impossible for the numbers.
But then you want to blame the victim. Not unlike what happened to the woman in the Duke Rape case. [Yes she was found to have lied, but the media – like you now – instantly assumed her to be wrong and a criminal. When was the last time a White person was publicly assumed to be wrong and a liar when they claim to be a victim??] You blame her for trying to earn her living and surmount the problems around her. You blame her for not stopping the racism and sexism that surrounds her, allegedly. Let me ask you this, how would you stop such institutional problems. How do you stop people from treating you with disrespect when the top person in the company is joining into the fray? And how long do you think you could have worked with such pressure on you every day? By your statements you are not strong enough to have made it more than a day or 2. By your own words you would have immediately run and told, and then turned around and ran home. This woman stood her ground and tried to earn respect among people who could not give any for over a year, allegedly.
And let me correct something you stated. You would not stay and deal with the harassment for 22 months. You aren’t that strong. But there have been many African Americans that have endured what this woman, Ms. Grant, has and more. Think of every first African American, think of all those that lived prior to the civil rights movement, or those that yes were slaves. African American culture is filled with the belief that we endure difficult work and life conditions and make the best of it we can. So yes I do understand why she persevered for 22 months, and why I guess you could not.
Now at this point you jump top a different issue, about Black drivers. You say they CANT get sponsorships. Why the hell not? The best driver in the world currently is Hamilton Lewis, and he is Black. What difference does it make for an American Black driver? The culture of America refusing to accept him. And that is racist if you didn’t know it.
Again you jump to another thought. And I pause to note that these skips are not following a logical progression but spring from an association found only in your mind.
You make an assumption about “some blacks” and their desire to work. What about the fact that far more White Americans are not working. The fact is that even if every African American in America was to stop working it would not account for all the people in America that receive government aide. The fact is that far more than double are the number of Whites that “want everything without working hard for it.”
Again the culture of Black America is the recognition that because of the bias, and the implied benefit of being White, we must work 2x as hard to gain half the recognition and economic gain. That is not an assumption, nor is the experiences I have had that back up this cultural understanding. But you are right; Whites don’t get everything without working for it. But they will get it before me if I only do the same quality and quantity of work.
Finally you get back on point of the subject at hand. And you reveal that you see an opportunity for profit. You are motivated by her ability to sue to earn money. I see her ensuring that a point is made, and a path is cleared for the next Black person or woman that wants to work in NASCAR. But that is a difference in point of view. I see the aspect of improving NASCAR for everyone that is capable and interested in working their. You see a selfish get rich scheme.
But of course you had to bring Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson into this. [By the way they are reverends and should be addressed as such out of respect] Neither reverend was mentioned by a single news organization, or me. But you had to mention them. Why? Because you have some issue with them it seems. Because you don’t agree with what they do? Because it annoys you when Black men with power take a position against people that are used to abusing that power in regard to other African Americans? I make no claim to advocate everything the reverends have done, but there is little dispute that they have done many things to the benefit of America and individuals.
Now you sum up with a classic stop whining comment. I’m sure that was the same thing said about those injured in unsafe factories before unions existed. I’m sure that was the same thing said to women that wanted to vote and be considered more than their husbands’ property. I’m sure the same thing was said to American Indians as they were removed from their lands and placed into swamps and deserts. It’s the ultimate answer for someone that does not want to hear they are abusing their positions and don’t care about equality. It’s the penultimate comment by someone that is White in a country that prefers and respects those of the same color.
Now I don’t think she deserves $225 million. But to assume that she was not affected by abuse, insult, disrespect, and disregard for her humanity (assuming any part of her claims are true) is to be daft and obtuse.
You said “When they set blacks free they thought everything was free from then on. We take three steps forward and a black comes along and sets us back 2.”
I took that personally and I will respond in kind. You small-minded, racist, cowardly, stupid, buffoon. How dare you. Blacks in America built this nation, fought and died for this nation. As a community we have contributed as much if not more to this nation than ANY group in our history. We have overcome the ill-conceived perception of being property, we have excelled in the face of oppression, and we have risen to the highest positions in the land in the face of resistance, fear, and hate.
Nothing is free in America, least of all the freedom that Blacks have been able to attain. Yes things are easier today than 100 years ago, but that does not mean anything is free or easy. Only the most dim-witted and thick-skulled individual would assume that the average Black American believes anything is just given to us.
Every African American I know or have known of has earned everything they have. From drug dealers to CEO’s every single African American works hard to attain the things they have. If you perceive this as being easy or simple, its just because we are accustomed to living with adversity and inequality and can be successful even in that environment.
Every time I write a post highlighting success and or issues in America with regard to race, gender, ethnicity, or nationalism a repugnant, obnoxious, anonymous, feebleminded, peon makes a comment like yours and I see how America is not allowed to take a step forward after all.
Michael, I really encourage you to actually go to a NASCAR race and experience the reality of it. It's actually a very warm, fun and exciting environment. The only colors that 99.9% of the people are paying attention to are the ones on the cars and trailers.
There are no more unruly or offensive people at a race than exist at any other sporting event, concert or other public gathering in the country.
Is NASCAR as a sport reflective of the nation's cultural makeup? Absolutely not. The sport has a long way to go in opening doors for non-whites to participate. That said, NASCAR in its organized form has existed for less than half the time of other American sports. It's progressed a lot in less than a decade.
Throughout your blog entry, you generalize Southerners and NASCAR fans in an alarmingly narrow-sighted manner. If you experience a race and don't find it interesting, that's fine. If you visit the myriad of cities and countrysides that comprise the Southern USA and decide it's not for you, that's fine, too. But associating NASCAR fans with a hate group and Southerners with a dumb 1980's television show is as "backward and brain-addled" (in your words) as it gets.
Doug,
First I want to thank you for your comments.
Next I want to clarify something that may not be apparent in my post. I do not believe all NASCAR fans are similar to Anonymous, or the manner in which Ms. Grant was treated by her co-workers. I have no doubt that many of those that enjoy the sport are no different than those that enjoy Football, Basketball, Soccer or any other sport in America – with the caveat that they are overwhelmingly White.
It is because of such a heavy lack of diversity that actions like those that happened to Ms. Grant, or comments like those of Anonymous, cause such a strong emotional response. I am sure that every driver would love to increase their fan base and grow the sport, but when these things occur the compulsion is not to visit an event but to reject the sport in total. But you do make a good point to visit a race. At the same time I have live in Binghamton NY for 5 years now, a town that is anything but racially or socially diverse, and the multitude of NASCAR fans I have encountered are equivalent to Anonymous and therefore leave me with a degree of fear of going to an actual race.
I agree that the organized NASCAR has grown and change greatly in the past decade. But a mere 10 years does not counter 80 years of history and culture surrounding the sport. NASCAR is directly tied to the Old South, especially at a time when lynchings and wholesale massacres of African Americans were common if not commonplace.
The continuing close tie of the Confederate Flag is not a comfort to many non-Whites in this nation. It’s direct tie to the past of segregation, Jim Crow, murder and suffering is not something that has been forgotten by those of my age or older at least. Some may embrace a selective romanticized South that they feel the confederate flag represents, the rest of us are reminded of the actual history – and those that have learned of the history that is not commonly presented in high school are reminded of even more.
While you are correct that my view is jaded by the accurate past of both the sport and the culture that birthed it, I don’t mean to blanket that opinion on all the current fans and participants as I stated above. But the facts of the history of the South and of NASCAR exist and should not be romanticized. It is because of similar romantic visions of the past I receive emails asking why slavery was bad, or that slavery was the best thing to happen to Blacks. It is because of that history that people like Anonymous makes the veiled racist rants that was the comment posted.
I will say this; if NASCAR wants s to truly be inclusive and to engender my patronage then they can do a couple of simple things. Discourage the confederate flag – which I realize is not completely in their control. Make a couple of commercials discussing how NASCAR has broken from the views and past of the South. Instead of hiding non-White members, allow them to be seen by the fans and television. Sponsor events that promote diversity and learning about the full history of the south and not selected edited bits.
But as addled as I may be which I admit is possible, I cannot feel comfortable at or supporting this sport. Especially when the sport is doing nothing to encourage or welcome me to it. Because in all honesty how would most White Americans feel at a South American soccer match, where the fans are drunk and burning American flags in the parking lot? In many ways NASCAR and the confederate flag makes non-White Americans feel the same.
Again, I respect your points. I’m glad you made a comment. And I am very glad to hear from NASCAR fans that are not like the Anonymous I heard from first.
Brother Vass, forgive me from commenting on your blog but I am compeled to tell you that your reply to "Anonymous" earned you my respect.
Michael,
I think the main reason for lack of a more diverse involvement in NASCAR is at the roots of the sport. Unlike soccer, basketball or baseball, you can't just pick up a ball or bat and organize a game. Someone has to be a benefactor - that's why there are so few people (of any race) participating at all. I had a friend who did short track racing for a while; he and his father were sinking thousands of dollars into it over 2-3 years and ultimately had to stop.
Also, most racers get started at small tracks in more outlying areas - Hickory, NC; Bakersfield, CA; South Boston, VA; Joplin, MO. The tracks are usually on the outskirts of town - if you don't live in the vicinity or have easy transportation, it limits your involvement.
You're right that the sport hasn't done much to take away the hurdles for participation. As for just being a spectator, I think that most events (Charlotte, Atlanta, Daytona, Dover, Chicago, California, et. al) are as open-armed to everyone as any other sport.
Mr. Vass
Your posts and the responses have made for some exceptionally interesting reading. In my opinion, it's our collective ability to rationalize the irrational and swap generalities for intelligent thought that holds our society back.
I likely resemble "Anonymous" in more than a few ways...I'm white, have Southern roots, am a huge NASCAR fan, drive a big truck, hunt and fish, think Sweet Home Alabama should be the National Anthem, and so on. Where we clearly differ is that I have enough self confidence and self respect to take ownership of my flaws without needing to cut others down in order to make myself look and feel better.
Who knows if the abuse of Ms. Grant rose to the level her attorney has portrayed. Lawyers write well...we all know that. It does however require some brass to take on an institution like NASCAR...or a great deal of disappointment and frustration. There's way too much smoke here for there not to be some fire. Compound that with the genetic disposition towards stupidity demonstrated by "Anonymous" and other of his or her ilk...hell, even I call them Crackers and I'm one of them.
Yes, I'm a NASCAR fan and yes, a significant number of my fellow racing fans are simple, ignorant and unworldly. I readily admit that too many of us love the sport in the same way a gerbil loves rolling around a kitchen floor in a clear ball. But then again generalities will be the death of us. After all, there are plenty of simple, ignorant and unworldly folk at baseball, basketball, hockey and football games.
Blaming Ms. Grant's abuse with NASCAR alone is unfair, short-sighted and let's people like "Anonymous" off the hook far too easy. Go deeper.
Michael,
I learned something new by reading this particular post. Thanks for sharing this information.
I hope that you will update what happens.
I am writing an update at this moment. A new development has just occured. Just look for NASCAR or Mauricia Grant on this site.
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