BLACK RACISM KEEP BLACKS OUT OF NASCAR...
After over 40 years of involvement in NASCAR racing as a fan, a Professional Journalist, and than a Driver/Car Owner, I've come to the hard reality, that at this point in time, its Black Racism that is one of the biggest barriers to Black People advancing and achieving in this sport.
For many years I have pointed figures at NASCAR, acquiring them, the powers that be in of being racist because of the lack of Blacks in the sport.
Where this may have been true 30 or 40 years ago. The attitude today is one of inclusion and friendship, on the surface. The absents of Black Competitors in today's three top divisions also puts doubt on NASCAR's true intent.
Since middle 70's I've actively campaigned to educate, promote, and market NASCAR racing in and to the Black Community. Back then, I associated the lack of interest was because there were no Black heroes or role models to fellow and that was where I thought I would come in.
During that time I worked in several positions as a professional racing Journalist in Jacksonville, Florida covering racing in print, television, and radio. Not giving any thought to the fact that I was the only Black person covering motorsports, I was just enjoying the sport I loved and wanted to be a part of.
I promoted racing to the people that I would meet and became acquitted with. If you know Les Montgomery, you know what he is about, NASCAR stock car racing. Just by my being at an racing event, I thought I was presenting and integrating that event. Not thinking much about there not being any competitors of color in the field.
In 1983, I joined Wendell Scott in an effort to create more awareness to the Black Experience in NASCAR and we established The Wendell Scott Racing Foundation and Automotive Scholarship Fund in Atlanta, Georgia.
During my efforts to promote this foundation, I started to notice some odd things. Whites were more attracted to what we were doing than Blacks. White race fans were touched more by our efforts, because they considered Wendell Scott one of their's even if he was a Black Man, he was a big part of the NASCAR family.
The only way Black Folks identified with Wendell Scott was though the movie "Greased Lightning" staring Richard Pryor. Most did not realize that it was mostly a true story. Today that story is mostly forgotten in today's racing headlines and heroes.
I met many Black and White People of power and influence, Corporate America Black and White. The Black People did not want to get involved and the White People did not want you to get involved, so it was a no win situation, racism on both sides. But I thought, Black People can't be racists!
Lost is the desire for Black men and women to be in NASCAR racing was the fact that there are people of color out there wanting to be a part. This is where I have come to the conclusion the its Black Racism that is blocking the advancement of African-Americans in NASCAR racing. Those men and women can not find a fan base, support, sponsorship.
Black Racism is more mental than on the surface. More subdued than vocal. Most don't realize or understand the position they are taking. Most see NASCAR as a White Man Sport, but in the integrated society of America, there are many Blacks who want to be a part of NASCAR, but lack the financial support, the avenues and bridges to get into it, or just plan old afraid of attending an event because of the historic racial environment of the past.
There is one aspect of NASCAR in the Black Community escapes me. The fact that many young African-American people are wearing NASCAR team jackets and now know one thing about NASCAR, the team colors they wear, or the sponsor who is display bigger than life on their backs. More Black Racism.
One of my supporters, Calvin Ratchford said, "the jackets to us only pose as a fashion statement. Anything that glitters, shines, and blings we're there. That mindset makes up the fabric of the social strata in the black community. More bling, more acceptance, more noticeability!" I think that says it all.
Many relate NASCAR to the KKK, Confederate Flags, White Supremacy. Today its not like that, but convincing them that it isn't still has done little to get them out to the track.
Its been said once, its been said a thousand times, its money that make the NASCAR world go round and round. In the financial climate in America for the pass 30 to 40 years has always been questionable. Business people not having a good feel of watch way the economy is going makes it hard for people to invest on questionable endeavors.
The economy has always been a big reason why finding sponsorship in the Black Community has been hard as hens teeth to find. If you are lucky, you may find a few charity dollars out there, but doubly as hard to find were people who would or could invest in a race team. Those who could, purchased their own cars, got that need for speed and then it was over. Finding long term interest in the Black Business Community does not exist.
The folks who run NASCAR need to understand that minority growth in NASCAR will be from grassroot efforts. Growth from Black People who have fallen in love and understand the race action, rules, cars, technology, and the people. Its not going to grow out of stars for other sports and entertainers, their audiences love them for what they do in that arena, not in the NASCAR arena. I question their loyalist to this sport.
Today's NASCAR suffers from Tokenism not Racism. Get one Black person to represent and all is right in the world. Television Networks that cover NASCAR racing have got to get more "faces of color" in their broadcasts, this too would increase interest and show the viewing public that NASCAR is for everyone.
Is Black Racism truly the reason why Blacks are not more involved in NASCAR racing today?
Les Montgomery
NASCAR Racer
www.ulteriror.net/Les/
Sunday, June 8, 2008
NASCAR AFTER MAGIC
NASCAR AFTER MAGIC
The headlines read, Magic Johnson to Co-Chair NASCAR Diversity Council, Magic Johnson to play leading role in NASCAR diversity, Basketball Legend Magic Johnson signs on with NASCAR. Stop the presses, interrupt the regularly schedule program on Speed TV for this historic news, this is major news, a real, meaningful, substantial Black effort comes to NASCAR in over 50 years.....NOT!!!!!!
Yes, it was news, for the moment, but after a little time, like most Black efforts that NASCAR supports, they quickly and quietly fade into the sunset. Like King Richard Petty says of NASCAR, it was like the circus coming to town. I would say, NASCAR and Magic pulled a disappearing act. But they didn't fool us true race fans.
Why do the folks who run NASCAR resort to garments, marketing games, and misguided judgment in trying to gain a foot hold in the Black Community? Maybe because they truly don't want us there. These failed attempts at reaching out make them look like, "hey, we're trying", but are you really?
Many people in position in NASCAR, local track managements, and others have expressed a belief for Black Efforts to gain success in NASCAR, you need a star, a role model, a notable personalities to help you in drawing attention to your effort.. Well, history shows that doesn't work either.
NASCAR has no shame.
NASCAR reportedly paid or donated $250,000 to Jesse Jackson and his Rainbow/PUSH organization around 2003 in appeasement money. NASCAR wanted to quiet the negative public pressure it was receiving from his organization. Many concluded it was hush money.
In 2001, I and many other Black Racers were invited by Jackson's Rainbow/Push Sports Division to come to Washington, DC for what was entitle a "Motorsports Summit". There were several topics, seminar, programs designed to give us a chance to gain information and air our frustrations with all of the major forms off racing, NHRA, IRL, not just NASCARMany Black Racers attended though our own expense including Malcom Durham, Doc Watson, Bill Lester and myself. Even the Wendell Scott Family was represented.
Panel members include Black Racer Willy T. Ribbs, past car owner, now ESPN commentator Brad Daugherty, Jackson, and NASCAR President Brian France.
Little did we know somewhere in a smoke filled, darken room, decisions were made, money was exchanges, souls were bought and paid for. At the time we did not realize we were being used and taken advantage of by Jackson, France, and NASCAR.
In the long run no one benefited from this Motorsport Summit, but Jackson and his Sport Division of Rainbow/PUSH. However their agreement and celebration was short lived. After wind of this agreement reached race fans and Jackson criticizers, NASCAR quickly disassociated themselves with Jackson, but the damage was already done.Time after time, ships of African-American promise raise from the horizon. With sails open wide and full of the winds of opportunity, optimism, dream of profit, and winning races.. Soon their hopes are dashed on the rocks of financial limitation, no support from their community, and an invisible force called racial discrimination that kills all chances of success. In the end, all their hard work and materials, cars, equipment and other stuff is put on the auction blocks and sold to the highest bidder, again.Efforts like NFL star Tim Brown, Olympicons Jackie Joyner Kersee and her Husband, Atlanta Falcon's wide receiver Terrance Mathis never get pass the planning stage. I believe they were just overwhelmed by all it takes to start a NASCAR race team.There are those like rappers 50 Cents and Nelly who only used NASCAR's billboards on wheels to promote their careers, as advertising was the most they would do in NASCAR Sears Craftsmen Truck Division. The Wayan Brothers also showed limited interest in NASCAR trucks, with a small involvement with Star Motorsports.The African-American effort that I thought was truly on their way was the Washington Redskins Running Back Joe Washington and NBA Hall of Fame Dr. J Julia Erving with sponsorship from Dr. Pepper formed a Busch Grand National Team in the late 1990s. But could only muster a year and a half before closing their door.It is so sad to me that efforts like Wendell Scott, Charlie Scott (no relation to Wendell), George Wiltshire, Doc Watson, and Randy Bethea have all but faded away. No torch was passed, no foundation formed, no race team to build on. The Black Community has let us racers down.
By the way, I'm not forgetting about you Sam Belnavis. The major force in getting Wiily T. Ribbs his Sprint Cup starts back in the 80s and the only Car Owner/Partner in Sprint Cup racing.Today, NASCAR has no African-American identity, no modern day history for future interest to grow from and with only African-American Boys and no men to bank the future on. When most people I ask what Black person they think of when the think NASCAR, they either can't come up with anyone or relate it to Richard Pryor and Greased Lightning, but not Wendell Scott.
Les Montgomery
Atlanta, GA
www.ulterior.net/Les/
The headlines read, Magic Johnson to Co-Chair NASCAR Diversity Council, Magic Johnson to play leading role in NASCAR diversity, Basketball Legend Magic Johnson signs on with NASCAR. Stop the presses, interrupt the regularly schedule program on Speed TV for this historic news, this is major news, a real, meaningful, substantial Black effort comes to NASCAR in over 50 years.....NOT!!!!!!
Yes, it was news, for the moment, but after a little time, like most Black efforts that NASCAR supports, they quickly and quietly fade into the sunset. Like King Richard Petty says of NASCAR, it was like the circus coming to town. I would say, NASCAR and Magic pulled a disappearing act. But they didn't fool us true race fans.
Why do the folks who run NASCAR resort to garments, marketing games, and misguided judgment in trying to gain a foot hold in the Black Community? Maybe because they truly don't want us there. These failed attempts at reaching out make them look like, "hey, we're trying", but are you really?
Many people in position in NASCAR, local track managements, and others have expressed a belief for Black Efforts to gain success in NASCAR, you need a star, a role model, a notable personalities to help you in drawing attention to your effort.. Well, history shows that doesn't work either.
NASCAR has no shame.
NASCAR reportedly paid or donated $250,000 to Jesse Jackson and his Rainbow/PUSH organization around 2003 in appeasement money. NASCAR wanted to quiet the negative public pressure it was receiving from his organization. Many concluded it was hush money.
In 2001, I and many other Black Racers were invited by Jackson's Rainbow/Push Sports Division to come to Washington, DC for what was entitle a "Motorsports Summit". There were several topics, seminar, programs designed to give us a chance to gain information and air our frustrations with all of the major forms off racing, NHRA, IRL, not just NASCARMany Black Racers attended though our own expense including Malcom Durham, Doc Watson, Bill Lester and myself. Even the Wendell Scott Family was represented.
Panel members include Black Racer Willy T. Ribbs, past car owner, now ESPN commentator Brad Daugherty, Jackson, and NASCAR President Brian France.
Little did we know somewhere in a smoke filled, darken room, decisions were made, money was exchanges, souls were bought and paid for. At the time we did not realize we were being used and taken advantage of by Jackson, France, and NASCAR.
In the long run no one benefited from this Motorsport Summit, but Jackson and his Sport Division of Rainbow/PUSH. However their agreement and celebration was short lived. After wind of this agreement reached race fans and Jackson criticizers, NASCAR quickly disassociated themselves with Jackson, but the damage was already done.Time after time, ships of African-American promise raise from the horizon. With sails open wide and full of the winds of opportunity, optimism, dream of profit, and winning races.. Soon their hopes are dashed on the rocks of financial limitation, no support from their community, and an invisible force called racial discrimination that kills all chances of success. In the end, all their hard work and materials, cars, equipment and other stuff is put on the auction blocks and sold to the highest bidder, again.Efforts like NFL star Tim Brown, Olympicons Jackie Joyner Kersee and her Husband, Atlanta Falcon's wide receiver Terrance Mathis never get pass the planning stage. I believe they were just overwhelmed by all it takes to start a NASCAR race team.There are those like rappers 50 Cents and Nelly who only used NASCAR's billboards on wheels to promote their careers, as advertising was the most they would do in NASCAR Sears Craftsmen Truck Division. The Wayan Brothers also showed limited interest in NASCAR trucks, with a small involvement with Star Motorsports.The African-American effort that I thought was truly on their way was the Washington Redskins Running Back Joe Washington and NBA Hall of Fame Dr. J Julia Erving with sponsorship from Dr. Pepper formed a Busch Grand National Team in the late 1990s. But could only muster a year and a half before closing their door.It is so sad to me that efforts like Wendell Scott, Charlie Scott (no relation to Wendell), George Wiltshire, Doc Watson, and Randy Bethea have all but faded away. No torch was passed, no foundation formed, no race team to build on. The Black Community has let us racers down.
By the way, I'm not forgetting about you Sam Belnavis. The major force in getting Wiily T. Ribbs his Sprint Cup starts back in the 80s and the only Car Owner/Partner in Sprint Cup racing.Today, NASCAR has no African-American identity, no modern day history for future interest to grow from and with only African-American Boys and no men to bank the future on. When most people I ask what Black person they think of when the think NASCAR, they either can't come up with anyone or relate it to Richard Pryor and Greased Lightning, but not Wendell Scott.
Les Montgomery
Atlanta, GA
www.ulterior.net/Les/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)