Carlos Rodriguez |
Sports writer
NASCAR released a statement via social media on Wednesday afternoon, June 10, announcing the banning of the Confederate battle flag at all of their events.
The statement comes after Bubba Wallace, the only full-time African American NASCAR driver, was interviewed on CNN by Don Lemon. Wallace shared his thoughts on the current police brutality cases and protests in the African American community.
The interview occurred one day after Wallace was seen wearing a T-shirt with the words “I Can’t Breathe” and “Black Lives Matter” at the Cup Series race held at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
In the interview Wallace mentions that NASCAR should get rid of all Confederate flags at events.
“No one should feel uncomfortable when they come to a NASCAR race,” said Wallace. “So it starts with Confederate flags. Get them out of here. They have no place for them.”
NASCAR fulfilled Wallace’s wish, releasing their statement ahead of Wednesday’s Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway in Henry County, Va.
“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,” stated NASCAR.
I think NASCAR made the right move by prohibiting the flag from being displayed at its events. The Confederate flag is something that reminds others of the times when slavery was alive in America. Racism is still going on, and the flag to many is a symbol of that. Fans should not feel unwanted or uncomfortable attending an event they enjoy because of a flag that reminds them of something so offensive and negative.
When people attend a sporting event they’re there because they want to enjoy themselves and because they love the sport. Banning the flag will create a better environment for all NASCAR fans.
This is something that NASCAR should’ve done a long time ago. Back in July of 2015, NASCAR asked fans not to display flags after nine African Americans were killed by a white supremacist at a church in Charleston, S.C. Finally, almost five years later, it is officially banned.
Wednesday night at the Cup Series, Bubba Wallace sported his “I Can’t Breathe” T-shirt again and this time had a specialized car he raced in dedicated to the Black Lives Matter movement. His car had the hashtag “Black Lives Matter” along with the words “Compassion, Love, Understanding.”
The Confederate flag should be banned at all sporting events and not just NASCAR. It’s long overdue and hopefully other major sports leagues follow NASCAR’s lead and make this a regulation at their events as well. Fans from different sports of all different races attend sporting events and no one should feel unwelcomed and uncomfortable because of a flag.
Contact Carlos Rodriguez at carlosjr521@gmail.com.
The Bell Ringer 