May 28, 2009
By Brian Watkins
Brian Watkins
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It's an age old issue - Some folks feel the Confederate flag is a link to their heritage and others feel it's a symbol of hate that brings to mind lynchings, slavery and racial injustice.
And then there's the rest of us.
The solution should be simple. Those who want to express themselves by flying the flag have the right to do so, and those who don't like it have the equal right to tell the flag flying group that they don't like it; and that's where it should end, But it doesn't.
Down in Southern Florida near Homestead-Miami Speedway it seems that racial tensions are flaring following a local parade about 6 months ago in which the Sons of the Confederacy marched, carrying the Confederate flag. This offended members of the Miami-Dade chapter of the NAACP, which in turn is apparently boycotting the local chamber of commerce who sponsored the parade and is targeting members of the local government for removal because they happened to be in office when the parade took place.
The problem here is that there is nothing the local government could have done to prevent the group from being included in the parade.
Even the local chamber who "owned" the parade would have been powerless to stop any group from marching. You see, if a special interest group wants something bad enough, they will get it. Had the chamber refused to let them march, the group could ave sued for discrimination and they most likely would have won.
Because of the parade hub-bub, the local NAACP has become hyper sensitive to the Confederate flag issue.
So what does this have to do with NASCAR? Well, the same NAACP chapter that is upset about the parade is now targeting NASCAR, telling them that they need to ban fans from flying the "stars n bars" at races. In the past NASCAR has said they'd prefer not to see the flags, but at the same time, they respected the rights of the fans to fly whatever they wanted. One would think that in America this would be a sound position. Not good enough says the NAACP. They have said that if they don't get satisfaction from NASCAR, they will call for a boycott of the sport, protest at races and work to get sponsors to pull their money from the sport. All because of a flag.
Like I said, I can understand how some could be offended by the flag. I can also see how some can be attached to it. I can further see how some might fly it specifically because it angers others. I'm just a white boy from Michigan. I have no dog in this fight; but I am an American, and I believe in the Constitution and the First Amendment.
Hopefully NASCAR will stand strong on this. Hopefully they will step up to the mic and say:
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, I'd like to read a brief statement. While NASCAR understands that the Confederate flag may be seen by some as offensive and un-American, we at the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing believe it would be equally un-American and offensive to have our fans check their Constitutional rights at the gate. Therefor we will not dictate what flags or other paraphinalia NASCAR fans may or may not display. We will however, not authorize the sale of Confederate flag merchandise on the track grounds, nor will the flag in question be allowed to be displayed on any NASCAR sanctioned teams vehicles, on or off the track. To further display our belief in racial and gender equality, we will be eliminating any race or gender based development programs. Effective immediately, NASCAR teams are prohibited from engaging in any recruitment or driver/crew development that is based in whole or in part on race, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Thank you, we have no further comment at this time."
I'm not even sure that they have to go so far as to ban the sale of items at the tracks, but doing so would show concern without trampling the rights of fans. Should NASCAR decide to support the NAACP and ban the flags, it will be the beginning of a long line of special interest groups telling not only NASCAR fabs, but the fans of other sports, what they can wear, display or even talk about during events.
Therefor
You may think I'm over reaching a bit, but given the way our world now walks on eggshells to keep from offending people, I doubt I'm far off. Besides, my scenario is no less ridiculous than it is for a group founded on the principal of advancing a specific race, being offended at something they perceive as.......(drum roll)..... advancing a specific race.
A Race Interrupted my Commercial
On a lighter note, a funny thing happened while watching the Nationwide race this past weekend. The caution flew and as the leaders headed down pit lane, ESPN cut to a commercial. Dale Junior told me all about how he's in love with the Nationwide Insurance guy, and how his family has had the same insurance company forever and two Sunday's.
Once that little aw shucks love fest was over, Dale Junior reappeared alongside Brad Keselowski and started shilling for GoDaddy.com. About halfway through, ESPN cut into the commercial to show pit stops. It was a small victory, but a refreshing change none the less.
The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN.
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