Monday, June 22, 2015

COMMENTARY: South Carolina Shooting Offers Opportunity For Change

The fatal shootings of nine individuals in a historically black church in Charleston, South Carolina last week has reignited the long-simmering debate over the Confederate flag and its meaning. The shooter, 21-year old Dylann Roof, is an apparent racist whose online postings included a 2,500-word manifesto declaring the inferiority of blacks and Jews, along with numerous photos of himself with the Confederate flag.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, a major debate has begun over whether that flag should continue to fly on the grounds of South Carolina’s state capitol. While legislators in the Palmetto State debate how to handle the burgeoning controversy, there are also questions to be addressed by NASCAR and other professional sports.

Hundreds of Confederate flags fly each weekend over RVs and motor homes in the infield of NASCAR tracks. The same can be said for college and professional football games, where fans fly Confederate flags as they tailgate and prepare for the day’s gridiron contest. The message sent by those flags is decidedly mixed, depending on one’s heritage and the color of their skin.

For many, displaying the rebel colors amounts to nothing more than a statement of southern pride and heritage. To others, however, particularly those of color, the flag is an endorsement of a time when minorities were considered property to be bought and sold, rather than people. It is a searing reminder of the horrors of slavery, when rape, physical abuse and murder were regular and legal facts of life.

The vast majority of NASCAR fans who fly the Confederate flag on race day harbor no ill will whatsoever toward people of color. To them, the only color that matters is the color of your race team jacket, rather than the color of your skin.  

To African-American fans, however, the Confederate colors are a red flag – both literally and figuratively – that declares “you are not welcome here.” Its continued presence at racing events contributes to stereotypes that have hobbled our sport for decades, reinforcing the erroneous perception of NASCAR fans as intolerant, uncivilized and unwelcoming to people of color. Justified or not, that perception is reality for large numbers of potential fans and friends of the sport.

Think of it this way.

If you’re walking down the sidewalk and there’s a snarling dog ahead, you cross the street. It doesn’t matter if the dog is really going to bite you, it matters whether you think the dog is going to bite you. The perception alone is enough to make you cross that street and avoid potential conflict.

Similarly, it doesn’t matter whether the flying of a Confederate flag is meant to celebrate, or to intimidate. To people of color, it is a snarling dog; a threat imposing enough to send them across the street, just in case.

In this day and age – not to mention in this difficulty economy – we cannot afford to alienate anyone, any longer. The current controversy in South Carolina offers an opportunity to examine these longstanding issues of race, and to determine once and for all whether the flying of a flag is worth the alienation of a potentially massive fan base.

If NASCAR ever hopes to attract minority fans in significant numbers, we must remove the snarling dog from our front porch. 

34 comments:

  1. Good article Dave. I applaud you for having the stones to write about this topic as it pertains to NASCAR. My only issue is you stating that "The vast majority of NASCAR fans who fly the Confederate flag on race day harbor no ill will whatsoever toward people of color." How do you know that? Have you been conducting polls at the tracks for years with people who fly the Confederate flag? If you have, do you honestly think they would tell you they fly that flag because their racist and hate people of color? Can you explain how you know that statement to be factually correct?

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    1. The article is written "in the opinion of the writer", there is really no need to prove facts. Anyone that knows of Dave Moody knows that he talks to HUNDREDS of people each week, and possibly each day about anything and everything NASCAR related. I'm sure this topic has come up numerous times, and callers are not shy in their passion when they call into his show. Although he tolerates no name calling, and no offensive talk, he welcomes the debates. I would say that he has a pretty good idea about NASCAR fans. I loved the article, and agree that it's about time to really address this as it pertains to NASCAR. Great job, Mr. Moody!

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  2. The Confederate Flag was not flown over southern state capitols from 1865 to 1954. It was brought back to be flown, and incorporated into southern state flags, as a sign of protest of the Brown vs. Board of Education decision. It was used to threaten blacks who tried to integrate schools. Between 1900 and WWII, students pledged allegiance with a hand gesture very similar to a Nazi salute. Students no longer due that, because when a symbol becomes that horrendous, regardless of its original intent, it ceases to be used.

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  3. "If NASCAR ever hopes to attract minority fans in significant numbers, we must remove the snarling dog from our front porch."

    Sponsors look at this too. They want all of the viewers they can get for their money. When you drive out fans and sponsors, the ticket prices increase. My family has a rich Southern heritage. We don't hate anyone. Just a couple generations ago, working on a Sunday was looked down upon. Going to a Sunday race would have been contrary to that. Things change. I would rather keep that flag flying over the graves of those that died for it, before I fought to keep it over a motorhome at a car race.

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  4. Jeff Glockner9:31 AM

    Why is it the responsibility for the Sanctioning body, the tracks and other fans to make the minorities feel comfortable at the track. Too many people want to blame the flying of the confederate flag for low attendance at NASCAR races. There is low attendance at local short tracks across the country as well. Let's take a look at the low minority attendance for the NBA, NFL,MLB and NHL. What are they blaming it on????

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    1. Anonymous4:31 PM

      "make the minorities feel comfortable ". That sure hits the nail on the head. Those 'minorities" you point out so eloquently are people of color, not minorities. Looking at it from your perspective, within a generation, you will be a "minority".

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    2. And apparently, that scares the hell out of you. Sad.

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  5. Anonymous10:48 AM

    Great article Dave! Hopefully all people will see this as an eye opener! Granted some won't and I feel sorry for them. But as the one gentlemen said "it's the opinion of the writer." That's all it was his opinion.There's been many opinions on this subject,and I for one agree with the "Godfather." Always have,always will! Love his show immensely.

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  6. The argument against the Confederate Flag makes the same old mistake - it assumes that a period that died generations ago wants to return and ignores the economic, never mind social, realities that were mitigating against segregation even before the 1950s and 1960s, namely the inherent economic inefficiency of segregation that the armed forces and sports leagues were figuring out by then; the simple fact was segregation was digging its own grave. The analogy with a dog that might bite makes the mistake of making an assumption.

    There is no threat from the Confederate Flag, no matter what political hucksters want to pretend.

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    1. Anonymous4:28 PM

      The threat (perceived or real) is from those that fly it.

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    2. No, Anonymous, it isn't. It never was. That threat died generations ago.

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  7. Anonymous3:32 PM

    A complete red herring as I see it from my house. If banning the Confederate flag would bring nine innocent lives back I'd be all for it. If banning display of that flag at the track could somehow could eradicate the hatred some people bear in their hearts, I'll help tear them down. But the flag didn't hurt anyone. This lunatic was driving a black Hyundai. Do we ban Hyundais too? How about a shoot to kill order for people with Moe Howard haircuts? This is just an example of some well meaning people to "do sumpin" in the wake of a tragedy. The fact it won't change a thing is lost on them. Guess I'll just wait until NASCAR confiscates my Lyrnyrd Skynyrd CDs at the entrance to the infield. Citing your example are you going to ban dogs too? Or will an anti-snarling ordinance do the trick?

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  8. Nice, tell the remaining Southern fans to not fly the flag in the infield, lose a couple more thousands fans, oh I use to love nascar, been to over thirty races, never spent a dime, nascar you are so going the way of the phone book , and classic rock stations, cheers!

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    1. Anonymous4:26 PM

      Really? You don't see it do you? The reason the sport is homogenized is right in your reply.

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  9. Let's see Wilkesboro gone check, political correctness check, boring to hell long pre- race show check, cars are not even stock check, and now banning a flag check, nascar is going the way of phone books and classic fm rock stations, and I can't weight, cheers.

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    1. You need to brush up on your reading skills, Mike. Nowhere does it say that NASCAR is banning your precious flag. Nowhere.

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    2. Not yet anyway.

      Your "precious flag" comment shows how sensitive you are to the feelings of people who honor that flag.

      Those people are lucky Dave Moody isn't judge & jury in this case.

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  10. Anonymous4:24 PM

    "ts continued presence at racing events contributes to stereotypes that have hobbled our sport for decades, reinforcing the erroneous perception of NASCAR fans as intolerant, uncivilized and unwelcoming to people of color. Justified or not, that perception is reality for large numbers of potential fans and friends of the sport.'


    truer words not written

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  11. First of all thanks for letting me reply Mr. Moody, I would not call it precious either, but years back, Mike Mulhern, did a short take, on his old web page, on Darlington security went into the infield, and made the r'v' folks remove them, I use to love the sport, friends with a Doctor, who looked after, some drivers, hell Pete Wright knows me, cheers, oh nascar will ban that flag, it's p'c' to be p'c'.

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  12. Anonymous4:56 PM

    So what about hockey ? Few Blacks attend \ play the game. Where are all the Confederate flags scaring them away ?

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  13. Anonymous5:46 PM

    Lets face the FACTS... African Americans are not attracted to ANY FORM of racing.Its not the Confederate flag that scares them away from NASCAR...How dumb. Where are all the scary Confederate flags at the F1 tracks ? How about Indy ??? How about local dirt tracks in the north ? I see no Confederate flags up here yet I also don't see many African Americans. I just called 3 Black friends of mine and asked them about NASCAR,,,,Guess what ? Racing in general does not interest them .

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    1. Thank God you have you here to tell us the REAL TRUTH, instead of what guys like Brad Daugherty say. Thanks so much for all your help.

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    2. Betty Ann (BA) Keener6:26 PM

      I see lots of African Americans attending NHRA events, plus there are a number of racers who are also African American

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    3. Nice reply with no substance Dave. How about very few Blacks in hockey ? Do you and Brad see racism in that ? I talked more with a few of my buddies and the ones who dislike the flag say that it has nothing to do with them not watching NASCAR. THEY JUST DONT LIKE IT . Give the race card a rest and use it where it is truly needed...

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  14. I swore to defend one flag and one flag only during my 15 years if military service. No other flag other than that one and a state flag should ever fly on any Government property. The Government is here to represent everyone and it cannot do that by dividing people or making some feel less of a citizen. It is time to look to the future not the past. Try flying the American flag and be proud of that heritage and let all others gade into the past. I am a
    christian and a proud Southerner. No room for hate or anything that signifies hate.

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  15. Betty Ann (BA) Keener6:22 PM

    Very good article! I am so tired of seeing the Confederate Flag at races. I don't care about "southern heritage". The flag is the flag of an enemy nation to the U.S. You can't fly the Confederate Flag and the Stars and Stripes together. If you are proud of your Confederate war dead, and the participation of your relatives in the Civil War, you are not an American patriot

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    1. enemy nation, really Betty, your whole post is a oxymoron.

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  16. If you want to show your pride at a race, try flying the American Flag. You know the one that drapes the caskets of those who died defending our freedom. The flag and only flag that myself and many orhers swore to defend at all costs. We are a nation of immigrants from all over the world. Why live in the past and create division by flying a historical flag when you could simply be a uniter and fly Old Glory? Learn from the past but leave it in the past. Certainly NO flag other than Old Glory or a state flag should be flown on any government property. I am a southerner and proud of it, but we are the United States of America. We should stand as one,m. As a Christian I should not be doing anything that purposely offends and that flag does. I understand a lot of folks do not mean to do that when they fly a rebel flag, but it still does. Let Nascar lead the way for inclusion. Everyone should be a
    nascar fan.

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  17. Excellent article!

    Confederate flags aren't a big issue here in California, but the stereotype of NASCAR fans being racist, toothless hillbillies is wide-spread. About 10 years ago I invited a black friend to attend a race in Fontana - he laughed and said "Are you crazy?" It was probably a good decision because while partying in the infield the night before that race a very drunk fan was loudly throwing around the "N" word, saying he'd better not see any there.

    But nothing tops the day I opened my front door to let a handyman in, and when he saw that we were watching NASCAR practice he busted out laughing, pointed at me and yelled "You're a redneck!" (I have a graduate degree. He was there to work on my toilet.) So thank you for addressing this delicate subject in such a thoughtful way, and kudos to NASCAR for backing the movement to remove Confederate flags from the SC statehouse.

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  18. Anonymous10:03 PM

    Great article and dialogue today on the your show!

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  19. Tim S.10:05 PM

    It starts with the rebel flag, and then what's next? What else will have to be removed or hidden to avoid offending somebody? Slippery slope.

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  20. Anonymous1:36 PM

    I read an interesting take on this subject on another site not dedicated to racing, but another sport. The author's take is simply this: No where else do we celebrate the losers of a rebellion quite like in the south. The Confederate flag and all the statues of "heroes of the Confederacy" are nothing more than symbols of the losing side. The Confederacy lost the war, its now time, 150 years past time, to stop praising the losers and take down all references to them. They weren't heroes, they were the losers.

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  21. Anonymous2:40 PM

    'Patriots' can't have it both ways. You can't fly the Confederate flag and claim to love "your" country. You either love and defend the United States of America or reject it and leave. There is no compromise here.

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  22. Anonymous6:39 PM

    Hey NASCAR wave that white flag because y'all are more worried about making friends than paying the bills

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