I generally believe that the main thrust of the current Black Lives Matter protests is to change the way the police operate (with violent impunity) and to change the laws around policing and crime. Of course the larger point is to change hearts and minds, so we can all acknowledge the deep racism that exists at every level of American society. I’ve really been enjoying all of the side-stories though, about some sh-t which wasn’t even Black Lives Matters’ main agenda. Like this: NASCAR and Confederate flags. NASCAR is beloved in all Southern states, and as such, you can see millions of Confederate flags at NASCAR events all the time. Except no more. One day after driver Bubba Wallace asked NASCAR to ban the flags, NASCAR banned them (the flags not the rednecks):
“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. 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.”
It’s crazy that NASCAR aims to be more inclusive than, say, the White House. From what I gather – and I’m no expert – this means that people shouldn’t bring their giant confederate flags to NASCAR events… or what? Will the flags be confiscated? Will the people be kicked out? I don’t know. It’s mostly a symbolic victory, but symbolic victories count for a lot – that’s why people are tossing statues of racists and slave-traders into the sea.
And because there always has to be That Guy, NASCAR’s That Guy is a NASCAR driver/owner named Ray Ciccarelli, who posted this to Facebook (because of course he did):
Well its been a fun ride and dream come true but if this is the direction Nascar is headed we will not participate after 2020 season is over , i don’t believe in kneeling during Anthem nor taken ppl right to fly what ever flag they love. I could care less about the Confederate Flag but there are ppl that do and it doesn’t make them a racist all you are doing is f—ing one group to cater to another and i ain’t spend the money we are to participate in any political BS!! So everything is for SALE!!
He’s also referencing NASCAR’s decision to allow drivers and personnel to kneel during the anthem. I mean… Ray Ciccarelli probably isn’t for ALL flags that people love, right? If someone was like “I want to fly this Nazi flag at NASCAR events because this is the flag I love,” would Ciccarelli have a problem with that or nah? Think of it that way, because that’s what the confederate flag means to a lot of people too.
NASCAR truck racer Ray Ciccarelli says he's quitting after Confederate flag ban https://t.co/JQq7XrbT1O
— MSN (@MSN) June 11, 2020
Photos courtesy of social media.
This makes me believe that change is really happening!
Remain skeptical. I’m pretty sure this means the race tracks will no longer be flying the confederate flag. That fact that the tracks were flying the flag in 2020 means we have a long road ahead.
Not so sure this is some noble point NASCAR is trying to make as opposed to a financial one. They’ve been hinting for a number of years now that they wished to attract more POC to this sport. So, if a lot of your patrons are old and middle aged white guys, they can probably see the need to try and expand.
Yup.
The fact that it’s even lip service is very encouraging to me. I get that it doesn’t mean the people who fly it will suddenly have a change of heart but this coupled with the military bases is a big deal. You would be surprised how often I see that flag in western New York state, and any movement on it is a very good thing. (Sometimes, okay, all of the time, I fantasize about shooting it up with an automatic weapon. Good thing I don’t have one.)
Why does THAT guy always look so similar to the other THAT guys? I took a look at his picture and immediately thought, “definitely fits the type”.
White middle age angry man check! They always look angry at life no matter what
Yeah and they also always look puffy! And sort of reddish. Like they eat poorly and drink too much beer
@Katrine – in the UK they are colloquially known as ‘gammon’ (yes likening their look to the meat hahaha). They can be found in the wild avidly supporting Brexit and decrying people who aren’t ‘actually British’, and whining about why we have to lock down because of some virus that ‘isn’t that bad’ followed by racist dog whistling about why BLM isn’t legit or that all protesters are extreme left wing and/or violent etc.
It’s very much a true stereotype
Yes!! I live in a very maga region and they all look like that. Or like the guys from king of the hill.
@Katrine Troelsen And that reddish color that gets instantly redder when he is angry, definitely a Type A personality.
Yep, yep. This is good. As I said on here the other night, it’s good that these rednecks willingly identify themselves as the racist, ignorant gronks they are.
Yep folks, what you are looking at is a genuine deplorable MAGAt. Ya think he’s got all his teeth?
@annakist, ‘gronks’. I like that.
heavy, bald, neckbeard. that’s the uniform.
oh, and PS…it’s COULDN’T care less, you racist magat.
The whole thing was difficult to read. Misspelling, wrong tense, incorrect use of phrases. Also, I disagree. I think he’d be perfectly fine with the Nazi flag.
He’s a small-time operator on NASCAR’s third tier series with 18 starts, zero wins, zero laps led, zero top fives, 1 top 10 finish. His departure will neither be missed or noticed.
@ Dutch – If that’s his record, it sounds like he found the perfect excuse to leave then.
I’m sorry but what, exactly, does the confederate flag mean to people?! It a flag of Treason. It’s a flag whose “heritage” stands for murder, rape, brutality & segregation. None of these is anything that should be glorified. I live in Virginia & I have never understood the adoration around this cheap piece of cloth (which by the way isn’t even the appropriate flag of the confederacy) that flag in its rectangular form was the naval flag of the confederacy. I’m guessing if you asked Ray he couldn’t tell you that. I have always gotten ragey about that Flag just as I did when those wanna-be pretend Nazi idiots marched the Grounds of The University in 2017. Which, by the way, is when IMPOTUS heard the term Antifa for the first time. But let’s know get me started down that rabbit hole of BS…
Climbs off soap box….
Of course it makes you racist! That’s what it represents. Literally that.
No it absolutely does not mean a person is racist. I have (sadly) a confederate flag tattoo because back in the 70’s I was a Lynyrd Skynyrd groupie and it was the band’s album cover.
I’ve literally seen weak ass arguments like “BUT THE DUKE BOYS!” and I can never help but to think “ah yes, David Duke”.
Obviously it has a history. Quite interesting in fact. Varieties were made and flown during the Civil War. They kinda merged into the cross we see and became a symbol of the Confederacy around 1860-something. Southern nationality followed the basic tenets of any region’s pride. But. Around the 20’s it began to take on a more focused show of respect by symbolising the ‘lost cause’ which endorsed Antebellum South and flying it symbolised the ideologies of the preservation of the southern way of life and the war was fought to maintain state’s rights, er…this way of life. And even though some sought to minimize slavery’s role in that southern way of life, it was understood. Thus birthed a symbol of white supremacy.
So when a southern cries nobility, heritage, history, legitimacy, etc, in conjunction with this flag, they’re either ignorant or lying. Maybe it had its place during the Civil War. And we’ve all heard the South’s reason for fighting in that war and why it had nothing to do with slavery…”state’s rights.” It’s called the Civil War for a reason. It’s called The Rebel Flag for a reason. Southern leaders left their congressional posts to join the Confederacy, not for chivalrous reasons, but to join forces with like-minded men (look up the Cornerstone Speech…it will cement and personify the evil and its absurdity). I am not for erasing history. But anyone flying this particular flag requires a posted pic alongside excerpts from the Cornerstone. If people still truly believe that the Bible teaches slavery with white masters, they need consequences.
Comedian Brent Terhune on Twitter is hysterical. He does mock MAGA videos where he skewers their thinking. In his video on this, he said something like “That treason rag is my security blanket!” and it cracked me up. He also pointed out their hypocrisy. Something along the lines of “Keep politics out of my NASCAR…unless its Donald J. Trump doing a lap at the Dayton 500 like he did earlier this year”
“It’s not hate, it’s heritage. It just so happens that my heritage is hate”.
https://twitter.com/BrentTerhune/status/1270873856295817224?s=20
Occasionally Twitter will hit the hammer right on the head. Someone else on Twitter pointed out that their heritage as a proud Yankee was burning Confederate buildings to the ground, and they were pretty bummed that particular family tradition is no longer practiced.
I’m on that soapbox too…down in North Carolina! I lived in CA for a long time. When I returned to NC I was SHOCKED how people were STILL talking about the civil war and flying that racist flag. OMG! They can try and hide behind this flag by claiming heritage and such but we ALL know it represents racism, deep, deep racism.
I live in the South and am assaulted with confederate flags everywhere. If it doesn’t make you racist (it 100% does) then what does it do? It’s a flag of division, it’s a flag that lost and surrendered, its a flag that stood for slavery.
And every bumpkin will tell you it’s about states rights, well then why are they the same who fight states rights who push for oh I don’t know… Tear down a statue?
And if it’s because they like to have it their way and rebel then why when something happens they don’t agree with but was voted on do they scream at others to “go home” or “leave Virginia” because we finally improved our gun laws.
And finally if it’s about honoring your great great great grandpa who fought in the war, well where the hell is honoring the person before that grandpa. Where’s your Irish flag, where’s your kilt, why do you just hone in on that one piece of heritage.
It’s because you’re racist. I am so sick of that flag and now I see in West Virginia Trump and Confederate combo flags and I just hope it means he too will lose like the Confederate. Also West Virginia was part of the union so they’re racist and stupid.
If it’s honouring states…why not fly a state flag? Oh right….because it really isn’t about honouring states…
Well, some southern states have incorporated the Confederate flag into their state flag–like Mississippi. It’s truly twisted….
I am in Maine and people have the Confederate flag… its so dumb.
Once in a while I see it in NJ, and the guy (it’s always a guy) usually looks like that one who quit NASCAR- red, angry, gross. I’d be willing to guess none of them have actually traveled to the south, let alone anywhere outside the US, so it’s definitely not a “southern history” thing so much as “I’m a racist a-hole and want everyone to know”.
It’s appalling to me that NASCAR just enacted this policy NOW, in 2020, but I guess good? Sickening.
Also, one of my favorite up and coming singers Devon Gilfillian performed the anthem last night, I missed it but am hoping for a clip. Check him out, he’s wonderful.
I feel you girl. I live in Florida and see it all the time.
Did you hear that the absolutely mammoth Confederate flag by the I-4 and I-75 near Tampa has been taken down? People threatened to burn that bish to the ground and the owners finally removed it!
Oh no, I didn’t know that! That’s great
@Teresa…well said.
The revisionist history that took place after the Civil War to paint the Confederate cause as about states rights and something to be honored is incredible. It was about the states rights to continue slavery. They committed treason against the U.S. and lost. Get over it and stop reliving the Civil War.
Exactly this. I’m tired of the oft repeated “history not hate” It represents a HATEFUL HISTORY.
It was about states’ rights. Specifically one right. The right to own slaves. It’s why every single Southern state put the right to own slaves in their constitutions when they seceded.
Also, if Southerners really cared they’d be putting up statues to Sherman and Lincoln for saving them from their ancestors’ stupidity. The South was an agrarian society based on peonage. Where would they be now if they didn’t have Northern industrial states to leech off of?
“states’ rights”…which, during the civil war, was SPECIFICALLY about some states wanting to keep the “right” to own people.
when people say “it’s about Southern heritage/pride!” my response is “oh, your heritage of being a traitorous loser? yeah, take pride in that.”
ETA:”Where would they be now if they didn’t have Northern industrial states to leech off of?” and they’re still leeching off of the Northern states. their survival is solely due to federal funds that are supplied by blue state taxes.
Let’s not forget California, which contributes hugely to the tax base yet is under represented in Congress. They clutch their pearls over progressive laws and policy, but they are more than happy to have our money. What then of “states’ rights?”
Not to mention a lot of food comes from Cali.
All this!
Also from the south, live in MD now. When I go home I loathe seeing that stupid flag everywhere. My cousin wears a bikini top with that flag on it omg. The one nice thing about it is that it makes it easy for me to tell who I want to avoid interacting with very quickly.
In his entire professional life this whiny asshole placed in the top ten just ONCE. If a tree falls in a forest… Boy bye.
Ah, thank you. I was about to check. I just KNEW he’d be some guy looking for a way out anyway, because what a stupid hill to die on.
Yeah, he’s looking to be picked up by Fox, or to have some stupid “GO Fund” me campaign because a bunch of people way poorer than he is will feel sorry for him because he “stood up” to political correctness. It’s just like that idiot hairdresser (in Texas I think?) who made huge bank by pretending to protest the shut down orders. In my opinion, it’s about a payday.
But good to know that this guy is super cool about folks bringing the rainbow flag to the tracks – I’m sure everyone there would be super supportive and not violent at all.
I thought he was a “real” race car driver but then my husband let me know he drives in the truck series in like the lowest level you can be in. Someone is just looking for some attention.
Yayyyy Bubba!!!
He’s my new crush.
Okay so 100% he’s going to race somewhere again. This kind of tantrum is quickly walked back…
Given he is open to ALL flags being flown, my proposal is people descend to cheer his race on with LGBT, trans, black power – all the flags – and we see if he will walk the walk. Or if actually he’s just dog whistling for racism.
Oh wow, I LOVE the idea of all the flags! People should do that, just to see!
Great idea! Then he’ll throw a tantrum of a different kind! LOL!
This. Fly a BLM flag and see how much he wants to support that.
It’s 100% a racist symbol, the people who fly or display it know it, and they love it.
Party’s over. Cry more.
“cry more”…hahahahaha, I love this.
my new favorite, along with “you mad, bro?”
He looks rough, kind of guy that swills homemade hootch all day and lacks the ability to complete one sentence. I have family that attends races on the west coast and I’ve never heard mention of the C flag. More change on our way, removal of statues and once Dumpty’s out of office military base name changes.
AHAHAH and it’s a TRUCK SERIES guy! Who the f-ck would even care if he’s gone! Way to make a stand, dude, I’m sure SOOOO many people noticed.
Disclosure, I – a Nova Scotian – went through a NASCAR phase. Very briefly. Never sat through the entire thing but would flip back and forth. My mother was the one who was into it in the house, but I’m absolutely sure it was 90% related to her thinking Earnhardt Jr was handsome 🤷
Bold move considering majority of their fan base are racists who’d get the confederate flag tattooed on their ass, if given the chance. I’m interested to see how this plays out.
But that’s why they’re doing it. Nascar is a dying sport… Empty stadiums around the country save for Daytona. I have coworkers who work the circuit for the tv coverage and the crowds aren’t there anymore. Nice, normal people do not want to be associated with racist trash and the organizers know this. It’s a bold PR move, but if they want new fans and more support, they had to make a hard right turn which many of us assumed they weren’t physically capable of doing.
Exactly, Chicken! They’ve been hinting for a number of years now they’d like to expand their base supporters, who appear to be dying off, with more inclusive groups of people.
Yes, I want to see how this plays out. My prediction is that the fans will make a big deal out of all showing up with the c flag on their shirts and hats, and the underpaid staff taking their tickets aren’t going to say a word because rednecks are crazy aggressive, and then NASCAR is going to end up walking this back. I hope that’s not what happens but this MAGA crowd loves to pretend they’re persecuted.
Good for NASCAR because you know they are going to lose a TON of fans over this, their fan base is a bit…um…redneck, but that’s ok, you just can’t fly that pos flag anymore! If you’re flying that flag you’re a racist, plain and simple.
My husband is a huge NASCAR fan (not me at all) and we’ve attended a couple of races at Texas Motor Speedway. We talked about this yesterday and we kept saying it’s about time. (Side note: Me and my friends joke my husband is the Liberal Redneck, whom you can google.)
It’s a racist symbol; one of treason! Every time I see one, I want to scream, “You mf—ing traitors lost!” Also, I’ll never understand the disconnect between being angry about kneeling during the national anthem and proudly flying a traitorous flag.
Another Trey Crowder fan!
Haha yes!
Look up where the term Redneck comes from and you might be surprised. When it was coined it 100% didn’t mean what it does now, quite the opposite in fact, so your husband is probably just an Old School Redneck
Omigosh. Thank you so much for this. Had never heard of him. He is priceless!
I live in a small New England town and a couple weekends ago some Yankee rednecks decided to drive their trucks through town flying the Confederate flag. People were appalled and posted on the unofficial town Facebook page and of course there were the idiots who defended it because “you all are too stupid to know what the Confederate flag really means.” Sure, because the people driving around flying it are all about state rights. Idiots.
Go, Bubba! Hometown hero!
Real literate guy there. 🙄 Not blaming it on twitter abbreviations. Other mistakes too obvious.
Real literate guy, I mean redneck, there. 🙄 Not blaming it on twitter abbreviations. Other mistakes too obvious.
You can say that again.
The symbolism has its place. But keep the pressure on Congress to implement new policies to end systemic racism.
My friend and I used to joke you could tell a minority group was gaining more traction in a society by how corporations reacted to prejudice – i.e. was it more profitable for them to feed off the majority still or had attitudes changed enough that it would be an economic crisis not to appear as allies. You’ve seen it with LGBT, and now you’re seeing it here as BLM picks up power as a media protest movement.
Now we just have to do all the hard work of actually dismantling the real institutions of systemic racism, which is going to be a lot harder when white Americans realize that won’t be as easy or feel good as taking down a flag or using a black box.
Illiterate, slovenly, and barely famous for something unimportant.
Thank you, next.
Ummm okay, whoever you are Mr. Racist Racer? I’m sure you have plenty of other useful skills to fall back on career-wise.
Good for NASCAR, but I have to wonder how this will be enforced? Are they gonna have employees roaming the parking lot to peel racist flag bumper stickers off of every single busted RV? What about tattoos? I’m all for slicing them off at the gate.
Mr. Ciccarelli wouldn’t have a problem with the Nazi flag, but a Pride flag or a BLM flag …? That’s a whole different thing.
I wonder if the Dukes of Hazard reruns will be getting canned next?
So according to Ciccarelli, bring your nazi flags down? EVERYONE SHOULD GET TO FLY THE FLAGS THEY LIKE!…………..so clueless.
Or even something innocuous like the Canadian flag – I’m sure one would get harassed more than having a nazi flag. Or OMG a Mexican flag – no way would this guy approve of that.
Florida girl here with loose ties to nascar. They have tried to change this part of their image for years. This is a bold move for them considering the current situation- let’s face it, their fans are the problem in our trump-crazed world. Bubba is awesome and this movement could actually have wheels (haha, see what I did) if he is supported and celebrated. This other bozo…. good riddance. I will celebrate every victory, even small ones!
You’re gonna quit because of the Confederate flag ban? Well bye then.
So he doesn’t want you to disrespect the America flag, but is ok with the waiving of a treason flag. Doesn’t waving a treason slavery flag disrespect the American flag?
This has also always been my take. The treason (failed!) flag is a slap in the face to the American flag, which is supposed to represent us all.
Yay, Bubba!!! Way to take a stand for what is right. Good for Nascar for listening and not going all CrossFit.
Now I will refrain from making fun of the name Bubba, ever again. He has my respect and admiration. (Plus, it means brother!)
This guy is a nobody in the sport. Surprised anybody is giving him attention.
Another mouth-breathing, neck-bearded troglodyte bites the dust. Yayyy!!
Hahahahaha omg NASCAR sent him a crazy Tweet in response. It was along the lines of We had to Google who you were … we are sure your dozens of fans will be sad to see you miss participation trophies. Omg
I like NASCAR because I’m from hicktown.
Ciccarelli doesn’t lead laps, let alone get close to trophies. His highest rank was 33 and that was 2019, so he’s looking to go out at his (really sad) peak. The flag is just a convenient out.
If you want to show you support this move, buy some Bubba merch from NASCAR’S official site. A can holder is like $3 and NASCAR will get the message that people support Bubba.
The league is working on a BLM car, y’all! GET PUMPED!
(Sips giant Diet Mountain Dew in #43 shirt)
Great idea
That’s what is so crazy about ppl who claim to be so patriotic and whatever- then fly the Confederate flag – which is a flag of the rebellion against the US government – and thus not patriotic. dumbasses. and it is not about southern pride – or well it actually is southern pride in “state’s rights” to own slaves.
Based on that Facebook post, he seems….smart. What a loss for Nascar that this dude decided to take his toys and leave.
NASCAR replies to his tweet with “we actually had to Google who you were.” Sweet sweet burn.
I didn’t even know who he is. Had to look him up. Loser couldn’t even make it out of the truck series. Way to try to boost your profile on the back of black lives matter.