When NASCAR became a Metaphor for Good….

In a miserable failure of stero-typing - it is so easy to classify NASCAR fans as a microcosm of uneducated, white and perpetually un-woke about social issues. As a woman – I watched in fascination as Dana Patrick became the first woman driver to break into the predominately white male club of elite drivers who compete at the highest level of NASCAR – the Cup Series.   It drew attention - it drew amazement in some quarters. 

I was amused by that. Women have tremendous stamina, focus and endurance. The child bearing/child rearing responsibility we carry for our species requires us to persevere in incredibly difficult and painful circumstances to increase the chances that our offspring survive. So why is it surprising that women might be able to compete effectively in a sport that relies more on endurance, strategy, focus and hand-eye coordination than on brute strength?

The black men who have made it into these elite ranks have had less attention – according to Wikipedia: ” only seven African-American drivers are known to have started at least one race in what is now the Cup Series: Elias Bowie, Charlie Scott, George Wiltshire, Randy Bethea, Willy T. Ribbs, Bill Lester, in 2006), and most recently Bubba Wallace.”

As American’s we have to face up to the fact that the foundational premise of our democracy is that all people should have freedom, protection from oppression, and the ability to be themselves as long as it does not perpetrate harm on others  – and yet for minorities and women in our country we have not fulfilled this promise, this dream. 

We have not treated people equally. Ever since our country formed, we have been on a journey to secure an environment where all people are truly judged on their talents and their merits and given full opportunities to succeed or fail. We are not there yet.

Honestly – the last place I imagined would show the type of advocacy and sacrifice that we all need to make if we are ever to reach a truly equitable and accepting world was NASCAR. As I watched the Taledega GEICO 500 race tonight I was ashamed of that ungracious assumption. NASCAR stepped up and made a statement on June 7,2020 expressing solidarity in the #blacklivematter movement. I suspect there were some that were not happy with that.  In a very disturbing incident – a noose appeared in Bubba Wallace’s shop.

What ensued was an example live on television of what every team in corporate America needs to learn from.  Bubba’s competitors – the drivers he was out to beat that night – stood behind him and took meaningful action to push the only black driver in the race to a more advantageous position.

Human beings love to divide themselves into groups. In NASCAR the separation is manufacturer based – the FORD'S, the CHEVY'S, TOYOTA'S. They help each other, they push each other based on their engines.

Today the jerseys’ mattered less than the solidarity of the drivers to send a signal that hate and prejudice had no place at NASCAR. Bubba did not win today’s race but his friendship with Ryan Blaney is well known. Ryan won today – but for NASCAR the win was the clear signal that was sent that everyone belongs at NASCAR and there will be no tolerance for hate or for failing to live up to the fundamental principles of our democracy – freedom and equality for ALL.