Milking the Racial Cow

'Whether tied in 2019, or whatever, it was a noose'

"[This was a] despicable act of racism and hatred [that] leaves me incredibly saddened and serves as a painful reminder of how much further we have to go as a society."

"[The act shows] how persistent we must be in the fight against racism. Over the last several weeks, I have been overwhelmed by the support from people across the NASCAR industry including other drivers and team members in the garage."

"Together, our sport has made a commitment to driving real change and championing a community that is accepting and welcoming of everyone."

"Nothing is more important and we will not be deterred by the reprehensible actions of those who seek to spread hate. As my mother told me today, 'They are just trying to scare you'."

"This will not break me, I will not give in nor will I back down. I will continue to stand proudly for what I believe in."

"There should be no individual that is uncomfortable showing up to our events to have a good time with their family that feels some type of way about something they have seen, an object they have seen flying [Confederate flag]. No one should feel uncomfortable when they come to a NASCAR race." 

"So it starts with Confederate flags. Get them out of here. They have no place for them."

Bubba Wallace, NASCAR driver

"We are angry and outraged and cannot state strongly enough how seriously we take this heinous act."

"We have launched an immediate investigation and will do everything we can to identify the person[s] responsible and eliminate them from the sport."

"As we have stated unequivocally, there is no place for racism in NASCAR and this act only strengthens our resolve to make the sport open and welcoming to all."

NASCAR Statement

The FBI said it "learned that garage number 4, where the noose was found, was assigned to Bubba Wallace last week."

"The investigation also revealed evidence, including authentic video confirmed by NASCAR, that the noose found in garage number 4 was in that garage as early as October 2019. Although the noose is now known to have been in garage number 4 in 2019, nobody could have known Mr. Wallace would be assigned to garage number 4 last week."
Federal Bureau of Investigation Report

An image taken from a 2019 YouTube video shows a garage door rope fashioned into a noose in the stall used by Bubba Wallace's race team earlier this week at the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama.

Before the start of the GEICO 500 at Talladega superspeedway in Alabama drivers approached BubbaWallace to express their undying support for him at this difficult time in his life, devastated that some dastardly racist had somehow managed to penetrate the armour of protection that NASCAR erects around its vehicles, its drivers, its garages, denying entry to any but those entitled to enter the premises. That being so, a shudder of horror must have gone through the minds of all concerned, that somehow someone trusted with access to the area, had installed a noose to deliver a hateful racist message to the only Black driver in the NASCAR stable.

Not to worry, everyone, from the executives of the enterprise, to the lowliest of the workers, and certainly all the drivers, and be assured those from other groups as well, were solidly in support of Bubba at this, his time of discomfiting personal threat. Selfies, yes, plenty taken, proof-positive that there was no end of empathy and love to go around any number of times without end. Loyalty and brotherhood in the profession and beyond, bro....

Late Sunday afternoon all displays of the Confederate flag were removed from view. Bubba Wallace declared them for what they were; a symbol of Black slavery and contempt and hatred for African-Americans, an insult to America just as they were an assault on Black America. The U.S. attorney for the northern District of Alabama had assured all concerned that his office, the FBI and the Department of Justice Civil Rights division "are reviewing the situation surrounding the noose that was found in Bubba Wallace's garage to determine whether there are violations of federal law."

"Regardless of whether federal charges can be brought, this type of action has no place in our society." And so there, all aboard. It's just as well, that Bubba Wallace did not himself see the noose, a heart-stopping experience, he was at least spared that. When noticed by a worker it was immediately reported to officials of NASCAR, who can credit a member of Bubba's team for discovering the offensive, threatening symbol of anti-Black hatred. Think, for example of what a Swastika signifies to a Jew.

One wonders, as an aside, has anyone ever asked Bubba Wallace why he would appropriate for himself a name that traditionally designated the presence of a 'good old boy' someone of limited intelligence, low education, a redneck, certain to be racially bigoted? That name is as much an offence to any self-respecting Black as the Confederate flag might be. So what is this, a kind of double standard, that some offensive symbols are game, others are not? And does that qualify as 'cultural appropriation'?

"They see me as somebody who's tearing down their heritage. But we're not trying to close the door on  you, we're opening the door to many others that want to be a part of this sport", Bubba declared as he explained that the presence of the Confederate flag in an Alabama sport arena is prohibitively offensive and should never be on public display. Wallace is "my brother and always will be. Don't let the people who are lower than life to try to bring you down. They won't scare you because  you're strong. I stand with you pal. Forever", tweeted driver Ryan Blaney, good soul that he obviously is.

"God created us equal. I will never understand how some people don't believe that. The stupid hatefulness that happened yesterday is disgusting. I know @NASCAR will oust this idiot. Go win today @BubbaWallace. I'll be cheering you on. #IStandWith Bubba", wrote former drive Michael Waltrip. Everyone, actually, tripping all over themselves to declare their undying devotion to the much-put-upon Bubba.