The reckoning rolling through the United State shows zero signs of slowing down, and it is picking up support in some surprising places. From the Southern Baptists affirming that black lives matter to HBO adding new language to Gone With the Wind to the global racist statue topplings, it’s clear that the uprising launched by the killing of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor have started something. And now, a real shocker: NASCAR will no longer allow the Confederate flag at its races.
The iconic stock car racing organization released a statement saying that the Confederate flag, which is a frequent site as its events, “runs contrary to our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans, our competitors and industry.”
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 10, 2020
In 2015, then-NASCAR CEO and Chairman Brian France discouraged the flag’s presence at NASCAR events, calling it an “offensive and divisive symbol.” He said he’d send an American flag to anyone who mailed in their Confederate one.
The announcement has received pushback, with NASCAR driver Ray Ciccarelli announcing his retirement over the decision.
