NASCAR bans all Confederate flags
“The display of the Confederate flag will be prohibited from all NASCAR events and properties,” the statement read.
NASCAR has banned all Confederate flags from its events and properties, according to a statement posted on their website. “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,” the statement said.
“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,” the announcement concluded.
Earlier this week, Bubba Wallace, the first full-time African-American driver to race in the Cup Series since 1971, asked fans not to bring the Confederate flags to races. “No one should feel uncomfortable when they come to a NASCAR race. It starts with Confederate flags,” he said. “Get them out of here. They have no place for them.”
At first, the flags did not bother him, but after he educated himself on the history of the flags, he realized how uncomfortable it made people. “There’s going to be a lot of angry people that carry those flags proudly, but it’s time for change,” Wallace said.
The NASCAR driver also announced that on Wednesday night (June 10), he will race in a car with “Black Lives Matter” written across it to promote racial equality. Under the phrase, will be a picture of a peace sign made up of hands from people from different races.
“I think by running this branding on our car, putting the hashtag out there, bringing more awareness to it, it lines up with the videos that we had put out as NASCAR,” he said. “Listening and learning. Educating ourselves. So, people will look up what this hashtag means. And hopefully get a better understanding.”
What do you think about NASCAR banning the Confederate flags? Check out some Twitter reactions to their new rule below.