Bubba Wallace Drives NASCAR to Ban the Confederate Flag. Now We Love the Sport Even More
Dawn Thigpen
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I knew I loved you NASCAR, and I am so happy you love me back!
I’m not sure about you ladies and gentlemen, but ever since 2020 showed her weird head it has felt like the Twilight Zone. I remember waking up on January 1st so excited for the New Year to start and promising myself that I would step outside the box as much as possible, travel endlessly and work to take my business to the next level. I had no idea what the universe had in store for us.
We have been hit with a pandemic virus, extreme police brutality, riots, peaceful protests and murder hornets –I am sure I could continue. However, I would like to stop here and talk about some good that has come from all of this. Although we have experienced a great deal of heartache and the country seems very divided, I also see people from around the world standing strong with one another. ALL standing up for what’s right and saying ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
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Without the Flag, Fans Can Focus on the Race on the Track
Which brings me to my good friends at NASCAR and Bubba Wallace, the only Black driver in the sport’s top tier.
Y’all, I have loved NASCAR since as far back as I can remember and I am so happy they love me back! After Bubba Wallace took a stand against the flag, the organization prohibited the Confederate Flag from ALL NASCAR events and properties. This makes every race, every event, everything NASCAR, an inclusive place where we can focus on racing and our love for the sport.
I remember when I saw this bit of information pop up while scrolling through my FaceBook feed. To be honest I had mixed emotions. My initial thought was, “Wait, WHAT???” Then, “Yeah right. This has to be FAKE News!” Then came the, “Well, they have actively been making changes for the last few years.”
After doing a little more research and found out that, IT IS IN FACT 100% TRUE! Which totally fills my heart with joy, because I love NASCAR and this is a HUGE victory for Black and brown people who love this sport!
Nascar Prohibits the Confederate Flag
NASCAR’s statement:
“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,”
“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.”
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Keep the Good Changes Coming, NASCAR!
Now don’t get me wrong, I have appreciated all of the positive changes NASCAR has been making these last few years, and they continue to do good things. Just last week they gave free tickets to front line healthcare workers, the only fans in the stands that day, to the race in Darlington, SC. This was part of the the Real Heroes Project, an initiative of 14 sports leagues that recognizes the heroes who have worked so hard to save lives in the Covid-19 pandemic. This is awesome because NASCAR keeps proving over and over again just how great they are as an organization.
Check out NASCAR driver, Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. (No 43) , the only black driver at NASCAR’s top level, discuss the biggest race of his career:
When Good People do the Right Thing, We All Feel Safer and More Included
Racial injustice and disproportionate police brutality against minorities has affected EVERYONE! However, this year has shown that there are good people out there standing up for what’s right and doing wonderful things. And though I know what it’s like to be a Black American woman in the auto industry, I feel less afraid because of those good people. And proud to be part of this hopeful history where people of all colors are standing up and fighting to abolish racism.
Thank you NASCAR, for standing up for what is right.