Racing and race meet head-on in culture clash

Sun Sentinel ^ | 11 July 2003 | Sandra Pedicini

[stainlessbanner]

DAYTONA BEACH -- Even at speeds of almost 200 mph, NASCAR can't outrun racial controversy.

More than 100,000 fans packed Daytona International Speedway for the Pepsi 400 on Fourth of July weekend, and the overwhelming majority were white -- just like all of the drivers.

While trying to broaden its appeal to minorities, NASCAR has found itself in the middle of a political brawl and taking punches from both sides.

[AppyPappy]

I'm lost. Why do we care?

[laweeks]

And well over 50% of the NBA are blacks even tho they're only 12% of the population . . . what's the point? Wouldn't it be nice if we stopped counting?

[wideawake]

We care because, as the article explains, NASCAR is paying the Reverend Jesse Jackson a quarter million in protection money not to protest the sport for its unfortunately Caucasian aspects.

I think it's a racket and it needs to stop.

[Cyber Liberty]

We should all care a little when Jesse Jackson shows up to shake down another company/industry. Yup, it's only a sport...But a shakedown's a shakedown.

[Sam Cree]

"Still, Farrell said, "There is a perception about NASCAR, right or wrong, that stock car racing is a good ol' boy, Southern, redneck, cracker sport."

I think this is correct. What's wrong with that, though.

[Support Free Republic]

Raise Your Hand If You Want To Donate To Free Republic!
	Donate Here By Secure Server Or mail checks to FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794 or you can use PayPal at Jimrob@psnw.com
STOP BY AND BUMP THE FUNDRAISER THREAD- It is in the breaking news sidebar!

[RWG]

nascar and race are the same as indians and fightin' whities

[Rodney King]

I think this is correct. What's wrong with that, though.

Theoretically, it's bad business. It would be better for Nascar if 20 million blacks and hispanics were fans..

But, every sport is limited in it's fan base. Football, for example, doesn't appeal to women over 40, and it never will. The NFL would be making a mistake if it was shaken down by Patricia Ireland over that issue.

Race is a more sensitive issue, but perhaps the super loyalty and enthusiasm of Nascar fans is in part based upon their perception of it being a southern white male brotherhood. If that's the case, then Nascar is making a mistake paying off Jesse Jackson.

Now, that's the extreme example, although some of that exists. The reality, I think, is that black culture just isn't into tinkering with cars and racing them around on local tracks. Just like we're not into the stuff they do with ther cars why they bounce up and down.

It doesn't mean that anyone is a racist. It just means that the Nascar fan base grows out of a car culture that black culture, on a whole, just isn't very interested in.

[AppyPappy]

I'm still lost. Do they think NASCAR fans care about JJ?

[stainlessbanner]

Why do we care?

Maybe you can explain why you don't care (if that's your position). I care and many other FReepers care because:

1. It's newsworthy
2. We are racing fans
3. We support equal rights for everyone
4. We are tired of shakedowns and coercions by race-baiters
5. We will not tolerate quotas, special preferences and high ticket prices
6. We tailgate every year at Daytona with black racing fans - they don't have a problem with the sport.

Now, boogity, boogity, boogity, let's go racin'!

[mict42]

I attend NASCAR Winston Cup races, I'm white,sixty years old and I don't give a crap who else joins me in the crowd of 140,000 in the stands. We all like to see these drivers go fast. What the heck does this have to do with RACE? I started liking Nascar because of my interest in racing, not because I liked hanging around other white people. If blacks liked racing, they would go to races. The minute they start busing these people to events is the day there will be trouble. Learn to get through life on your own. IF they want 20 per cent of the drivers to be black,then I want 80 per cent of the NBA to be white. Stop this race bull---- or this country will erupt.

[tongue-tied]

Agreed. Stop counting already, and while we're at it stop selecting, admitting or promoting based on race.

But then again, this is simply the ongoing Jackson-led effort to keep separatist ideas alive. The man has no shame.

[Sam Cree]

"It doesn't mean that anyone is a racist. It just means that the Nascar fan base grows out of a car culture that black culture, on a whole, just isn't very interested in."

I think that's about the size of it. Since, to my knowledge, blacks are not excluded, it's a non issue.

[mtbopfuyn]

What's with all the Black racial threads today? What does Jesse have to say about Venus (or was it her sister?) who won Wimbleton for the second time. What does he say about Tiger Woods - oh, but he's probably not even 50% black so how does that count? Jeez, I'm so tired of all this.

[Cyber Liberty]

No, they know NASCAR fans can't stand Jesse Jackson. They're trying to sneak this "donation" through without the fans knowing about it.

[Sam Cree]

"The minute they start busing these people to events is the day there will be trouble"

Don't know if anyone is seriesly talking about enforcing racial preferences in audiences, but it wouldn't surprise me. Maybe they can regulate who watches what TV shows while they're at it. And then they can fix who wins the Daytona, by racial quotas, to make it fair and equal to all races.

[Servant of the Nine]

There are black conservative groups that can be supported. Jackson is a criminal.

So9

[CFC__VRWC]

"Still, Farrell said, "There is a perception about NASCAR, right or wrong, that stock car racing is a good ol' boy, Southern, redneck, cracker sport."

Yet another reason we should care, summed up right here. Racing is looked down upon by the northeastern Ivy-League elitists and the Hollyweird "royalty." To them, racing is a giant waste of natural resources that is only enjoyed by the tacky unwashed masses, and since it offends their sense of aesthetics it should be banned.

[Sam Cree]

"There is a perception about NASCAR, right or wrong, that stock car racing is a good ol' boy, Southern, redneck, cracker sport."

Not a derogatory statement, IMO.