Somehow, I knew you’d be the one
I think nobody at the races was booing Bubba but were in fact cheering him until the noose incident and his controversial clothing choices.
This narrative that white people just simply don’t want “dem coloreds” in anything is just tired man. Everything looks like a nail something something.
As part of being in the dealership world for 20 years and then Snapon I was at countless NASCAR races since around 1990 and never saw anything but folks getting along.
Ive never been a snap on rep but I was a huge Nascar fan. From around 94 ~05 I never missed a race at Martinsville, Wilkesboro, Bristol, Darlington and went to several Charlotte, Daytona, Talladega. I dont know an exact number but Id bet it was in the 200 range of nascar couting cup and busch series races Ive been to.
And while I 100% agree no every race fan is a racist, and not even most are.
But you can't honestly suggest there isn't a substantial population (and I mean 10x the normal population) of outright racists at the events.
Heck I even rememeber being young and laughing at the "no name trailers" - if you went to races as a fan and wandered around the merch trailers you know what I am taking about. You had the driver trailers and then youd have the solid white enclosed trailer selling non-trademarked merchandise. There would always be a few with the edgy stuff.
'Original boys in the hood'
'aint prejudice - never met one I liked'
'wear your (malcolm)X and I will wear mine'
Even shirts with just the N word on them.
..and they'd sell a ton.
I even remember one year at Martinsville a guy selling Klan "suits" had a dept store model/dummy out front in one and all. People were taking pictures and while many more were rolling their eyes than standing in line to buy - no one opposed it.
So yea. If I was MJ walking into that environment I'd have had my guard up as well.
Do you know who Richie Parker is? (If not google him and watch an amazing story)
He's a co-worker and close friend of a dude I grew up with as one of my 3 or 4 closest friends. You should hear the stories he tells about his treatment. How Papa Rick hired him a personal bodyguard when he was going to the track and how eventualy he just quit traveling. Because of the way he was treated. How when he was interviewed for various pieces NASCAR sent a PR spokesperson to make sure he knew what to say and what not to say if asked directly about race etc.
Now that said - I agree with you also - to a point.
I definitely think its became too vogue to cry racism. To insist everything is racist. And in doing so it has actually diminished attention from actual overt racism in the world.
But if you suggest a NASCAR race was the most welcoming and diverse an base- then you are just being intentionally obtuse in my opinion
