Just a few days after NASCAR's only African American driver, Bubba Wallace, called for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) to ban Confederate flags on its racetracks, the organization did just that.
"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," NASCAR said in an official statement. "Bringing people together around a love for racing and the community that it creates is what makes our fans and sport special. The display of the Confederate flag will be prohibited from all NASCAR events and properties."
Although the association had asked fans five years ago to abstain from bringing along the symbols when attending races, this is the first official effort to ban them completely.
NASCAR also announced the removal of a rule mandating all racing team members stand for the national anthem.
Wallace's commitment to the cause was on display last night as well while driving his No. 43 Chevy in Martinsville (he finished 11th). The car boasted a special #BlackLivesMatter paint scheme.
NASCAR's announcement are made as the country grapples with a renewed sense of justice and decency following the death of George Floyd, an African American man who died while in custody of the Minneapolis police. His passing has led to a myriad of protests across the nation calling for racial justice, police reform and the end of systematic racism. Recent events have also triggered demands for the removal of symbols of the Confederacy from public spaces. Some have already been taken down by city officials while others have been toppled and defaced.
Most popular on Time Out
- Get paid $20,000 (plus free beer and gear) to hike the Appalachian Trail next year
- A new Harvard study advises couples to wear masks and avoid kissing while having sex
- How to donate to bail-out funds in 30 different U.S. cities
- Turks and Caicos will reopen for tourism on July 22
- The future of restaurant dining is reservation-only