Posted on 07/03/2004 10:28:37 PM PDT by SpyderTim
Jesse Jackson to NASCAR: 'Negroes Can Drive Cars Fast' By Marc Morano CNSNews.com Senior Staff Writer July 01, 2004
Chicago (CNSNews.com) - Jesse Jackson says NASCAR should feature more African-American drivers because "negroes can drive cars fast."
Jackson made the remarks on Tuesday, the day of the sports luncheon at the 33rd Annual Rainbow/PUSH Coalition conference in Chicago, while waiting to introduce Sen. John F. Kerry.
"One thing I know, negroes can drive cars fast," Jackson said to laughter. "I mean, we go through red lights, even [drive] at night with our lights off. We can drive cars fast," he asserted from the podium.
NASCAR's sponsorship of the sports luncheon at this week's conference is contrary to previous reports indicating that NASCAR had ended its financial support of Jackson and his organizations in 2003 because of negative public pressure.
By 2003, NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) had reportedly given a total of $250,000 to the Rainbow/PUSH sports division, generating criticism from conservative groups and racing fans, who saw the money as appeasement. But at this week's conference, NASCAR had nothing but positive things to say about Jesse Jackson.
George Pyne, NASCAR's vice president of marketing, told the crowd at Tuesday's sports luncheon, "I would like to thank Reverend Jackson and the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition for being positive catalysts for change. It is an honor to be here today."
Pyne left no doubt that NASCAR was currently supporting Jackson.
"To the extent that Rainbow/PUSH is committed to making NASCAR more diverse, we support them," Pyne said in an interview with CNSNews.com following the luncheon.
Pyne was unequivocal in his defense of NASCAR's decision to support Jackson.
"I would point out that there are a number of Fortune 500 companies that support Rainbow/PUSH and every other major sport America supports, or a number of major sports entities, support Rainbow PUSH," Pyne said.
"We certainly would think that we would want to be in step with the other sports and corporations in America, and it's consistent with how we approach the business," he added.
'NASCAR fans will be appalled'
One person not happy about NASCAR's embrace of Jackson is Peter Flaherty of the conservative National Legal and Policy Center. In 2003, Flaherty launched a campaign to end NASCAR's support of Jackson because of Jackson's anti-war rhetoric and past financial dealings with corporations.
"Despite the expression of opposition from thousands of NASCAR's fans last year to NASCAR's support of Jackson, it looks like NASCAR is now fully embracing him" Flaherty, the president of the Virginia-based legal group, told CNSNews.com on Wednesday.
"I believe they are making a mistake and I believe that many, many NASCAR fans will be appalled at this new development," he added.
'Morally right'
Pyne couched NASCAR's support of Jackson in righteous terms. "We believe what we are doing is morally right and good for the business," he said.
"Everybody may not agree every single time with who we support, but that is what America is all about," he added.
Pyne declined to disclose how much NASCAR had contributed to Jackson this year. The NASCAR-sponsored luncheon was attended by about 500 people.
"I am not going to get into specifics of what our support is with specific organizations. We support many, many, many civil rights organizations and other organizations committed to making NASCAR more diverse," Pyne explained.
When asked about Rainbow/PUSH board member Bill Shack's comments at last year's conference that auto-racing organizations such as NASCAR were 'the last bastion of white supremacy," Pyne defected the criticism.
"I can't speak to what other people say. What I can tell you is every American is welcome at NASCAR. So we are here to talk about positive things," Pyne said.
Jackson's Rainbow Sports Director Charles Farrell later defended Shack's comments, telling CNSNews.com that in 2003, even NASCAR conceded "there is a perception that stock car racing is a good ole' boy's southern redneck cracker sport."
For his part, Shack seemed to back away from his own harsh rhetoric of last year.
"[NASCAR] appear[s] to be moving in the right direction. They appear to have an attitudinal shift. I think that they are making progress," Shack said following Tuesday's luncheon.
'Cultural fear based upon ancient myths'
Jackson was upbeat about NASCAR and the motor sports diversity effort.
"There is no longer the kind of cultural fear based upon ancient myths. Everyone sees inclusion leads to growth," Jackson told CNSNews.com .
"What I am most impressed with in regards to NASCAR is the drivers are so open to black drivers," he added.
According to Jackson, now that NASCAR is firmly in the Rainbow/PUSH camp, the next effort is going to involve challenging the corporate sponsors of motor sports to finance minority drivers.
"It is not resistance by NASCAR now, it is now meeting with corporations that engage in diversity in other areas -- supplier diversity, employment diversity-- but many of them have zero by their name in race car investment," Jackson explained.
NASCAR series team owner Sam Belnavis said NASCAR really only cares about one color in the final analysis.
"The key to NASCAR is green. It has nothing to do with race, color, creed," Belnavis said, referring to the sports desire to be profitable.
'Lost touch'
Flaherty of the NLPC says NASCAR's enthusiastic support of Jackson is out of step with the motor sports fans.
'It says to me that NASCAR has completely lost touch with the average NASCAR fan who is NASCAR's customer," he said.
Former NFL great Reggie White also pressured NASCAR in 2003 to stop funding Jackson when he accused Jackson \ul \ulnone of wasting the $250,000 given to him by the racing organization.
"It's really disappointing to me that Jesse and his organization would take a quarter of a million dollars from NASCAR and not do anything with it to try to get black drivers into the sport," White said in an interview on FOX News Channel's Fox & Friends in July 2003.
White is involved in his own motor sports minority outreach program with NFL Coach Joe Gibbs. Gibbs is also the owner of the Joe Gibbs Racing team.
Flaherty did applaud NASCAR's minority outreach programs that did not involve Jackson.
"I am encouraged that NASCAR is working with other prominent African-Americans like [former Republican Congressman] JC Watts to reach out to minorities," Flaherty said.
"But as long as NASCAR is bankrolling Jesse Jackson, there is going to be controversy," he cautioned.
I can think of many response to this statement. However, I think I had better keep them to myself. :-)
Perhaps Jesse could sponsor a "Negro" team and put HIS money where his mouth is.
Like that'll ever happen.
Sounds like Mr. Jackson is trying to get anything going to start any kind of riots.
What a racist bastard.
Now why am I suddenly thinking of a lowlife getting Martin Luther King to stop and stand still on a Memphis motel walkway?
Perhaps they should sponser Rodney King, he can drive real fast.
You want proof of that, just get out on I-75 the Friday before "Freaknik"
Of course, doing that will make you question whether they can drive them WELL...
NASCAR is not like most sports. You don't get drafted out of school based on your abilities. If you're not related to somebody, it doesn't matter what color you are. You start at the bottom, usually with your own (or parents) money.
They say that like it's a *bad* thing?
In all seriousness, I raced for a season at a local NASCAR dirt track. As a female racer I was warned about all the good ol' boys who would knock me around just cause they didn't want a lady out there. Well, there were a couple like that. But, most of those guys were just tickled to help me out and encourage me. I never had the kind of funding to race after that, but on the whole NASCAR was a fair organization.
What Jesse Jackson's saying is just more of his own brand of racist bull. I'm a long time NASCAR fan and I'm ashamed to have my sport involved with such a despicable character.
IOW, it's a meritocracy, and "diversity" counts for squat.
He Jesse, just take one of fastest cars and paint it black and white an put light bar on it, your guy will win fer sure.
Jus kidden....
Dang, girl! You like to drive, too?
I'm VERY impressed with your credentials. ;o)
Unbelievable! Why did NASCAR give $ to PUSH? Are blacks even interested in NASCAR? I mean, this is like saying that Howard Dean had no blacks among his Vermont staff.
LOL... I don't know that I have credentials! I do like to drive. And I got lucky one year about 13 years ago and ended up with an old stock car. It was great and the most expensive thing I've ever tried as a hobby.
But, the guys on the track were helpful. Everyone there had to make it on his/her own. That isn't something racist. It's capitalism pure and simple. Heck, if I'd have been any good at marketing and not busy raising 2 little girls I might coulda found a sponsor and raised money and kept racing. It's how that is done.
Just dang. It isn't keeping any ethnic group out though. That's silly.
Maybe 'cause I'm just a die-hard racing fan, but I can't see how you get any more American than stock car racing. Anybody can make it - if you can do the work and make the connections. But it doesn't get handed to ya on a silver platter even when your name's Earnhardt or something. Jr. wouldn't be there if he couldn't drive.
Yeah, you're right. I go to races and have even gone with friends who are black. But, the fans in the stand are predominately white or Hispanic. I suppose NASCAR has some twisted PC mentality of trying to appear more demographically cross cultural.
But heck, there are a lot better ways than joining Jesse Jackson! If they *hafta* try to appear more PC then support somebody who'd get a good black race team out there. I'm betting that team would garner no little support. There would be folks rootin' for 'em just because most of us rednecks like to see the underdog come out lookin' good.
I totally agree with you.
You will have a freepmail shortly. ;o)
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