Posted on 05/02/2003 7:50:51 AM PDT by DED
How fitting that the Rev. Jesse Jackson has subjected NASCAR to his unique brand of activism. Like so much of Jackson's world, car racing involves noise, smoke, and spinning in circles while ultimately going nowhere. Meanwhile, poor blacks in the bleachers wonder how this helps them.
"The fact of the matter is there is frustration because of exclusion," Jackson told a 1999 conference attended by NASCAR chairman, Bill France Jr. "We must now turn that pain to power. We were qualified to play baseball before 1947. We are qualified to race cars now."
NASCAR responded by paying $150,000 to sponsor Jackson's Rainbow-PUSH/Citizenship Education Fund conference in 2001 plus another $100,000 last year. NASCAR anted up even though it cannot sponsor teams. Companies do that. Moreover, Jackson has not demonstrated NASCAR's alleged racism.
In fact, there have been black-owned NASCAR teams. In 1998, Dr. Pepper sponsored a team organized by basketball veteran Julius Erving. It soon ran out of gas. So did BH Motorsports, a team owned by Sam Belnavis and Tinsley Hughes, both black. It was scheduled to race this year, but stalled first. Bill Lester is now NASCAR's only black national competitor, driving in its pickup truck division.
So is this all an elaborate, anti-black conspiracy hatched by whitey?
What NASCAR should explain and Jackson will not admit is that some avocations skew black while others lean white.
NASCAR should ignore Jackson's pay-me-or-I'll-scream-racism racket. If its executives still believe they owe blacks something, they should underwrite groups that actually improve the lives of underprivileged black folks.
NASCAR, like too many other businesses, whipped out its check book once Jesse Jackson said, "Boo!" Too bad. Paying off this race hustler may purchase his silence but buys poor blacks less than a high-speed tire change.
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalreview.com ...
NASCAR should take a cue from the Bush Administration in its handling of North Korea. Sounds like Jesse is using the same tactics.
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This is just BS extortion. Jesse has no interest in there being a black driver in NASCAR. If he did he would DO what I stated above.
The media is totally aware Jackson's and others tactics, they are willfully ignoring them in an effort to help his agenda. There are some rays of hope in the media, O'Reilly has long reported on Jackson's deals, and Joe Scarbourough on MSNBC reported on the NASCAR deal as well.
Is anyone saying they aren't qualified? Get them on a go-cart at age five like the rest of the racers parents did. Lack of available talent does not equal lack of opportunity.
The NASCAR community is built on a shared passion for a sport unlike any other. With over 75 million fans, we want our sport to look like America and attract the best talent and the most dedicated fans in the world. We recognize that to sustain our growth and broaden the appeal of our sport, a concerted industry-wide commitment is required to promote diversity and help create opportunities throughout the motorsports industry. To that end, in 2000 we formed the NASCAR Diversity Council in order to work closely with motorsports industry leaders toward achieving these goals.NASCAR, and the entire industry, continue to take important steps to expand the diversity of our sport. These include our Diversity Summer Internship Program; scholarships to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions; support of the Urban Youth Racing School; and most recently, the NASCAR College Tour presented by the Coca-Cola Company; and our partnership with the NASCAR Technical Institute.
The NASCAR Diversity Internship Program is being coordinated by NASCAR and Julie Williams & Associates, an African American owned management and educational consulting firm located in Silver Spring, MD. Julie Williams & Associates specializes in diversity programs, education and outreach.
For a very detailed in-depth report on Jesse Jackson, NASCAR and Jessie's past involvements with such sports related controversies, see:
Jessie Jackson Chases After NASCAR (.pdf format)Tried to find it in .html, but no luck!
How to contact NASCAR to protest its support for Jesse Jackson
Interesting observation. I agree.
racing in circles.. going nowhere
sounds like the demRats and the Obstructionist Party have taken a lot of lessons from ol' Je$$e..
How to Get Rich at the expense of ordinary folks and appear innocent and shameless in doing so.
Meet James Stewart. He is the 125 West SuperCross Champion. He did not need Jesse Jackson to help him. He trained harder, worked harder, had the support of his parents, and ACHEIVED his success and respect the way that all people actually acheive success and respect -- he earned it!
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