“Anybody that don’t stand up for the anthem ought to be out of the country. Period. What got ’em where they’re at? "--Richard Petty legendary NASCAR diver and team owner.
“It’ll get you a ride on a Greyhound bus.”--Richard Childress, another NASCAR owner, said of anyone on his team protesting.
To Richard Petty and Richard Childress
Allow me to commend the two of you on your stalwart defense of our National Anthem and flag. Your hard-line position of deportation and job termination for anyone kneeling during the National Anthem is as patriotic as it gets. Yet, I do have some concerns with your message.
Thousands of people drive hundreds of miles, and spend thousands of dollars to watch men drive hundreds of miles in a circle each time NASCAR visits. Among the huge crowd are thousands of fans resplendent in hats, belt buckles, t-shirts, beer coolers, RVs, bumper stickers all bearing the image of a flag. Just everyday, patriotic NASCAR folk showing their pride. Except this flag isn't Old Glory. It's the Stars and Bars; the Confederate flag.
I'm sure you two Richards are familiar with that flag. If not, it is the emblem of a group of States that seceded from the Union over the right to own a black person and declared war on the United States. 620,000 people died in that war. It could be said that your organization--NASCAR, is the host each weekend to the largest gathering of racists and anti-Americans anywhere in the country. I mean, what is more anti-American and unpatriotic than showing support and providing a venue for a country--CSA that went to war against the U.S.
By no stretch am I suggesting these NASCAR Confederate Flag supporters should be deported or lose their jobs. It is their Constitutional right to free speech and expression in displaying that flag and the government can not intercede. But, a private entity, like NASCAR, can impose restrictions, dress codes, and limitations on how their fans display their expressions.
Maybe a couple of superpatriots, like you two Richards, and can I call you Dicks for short, could suggest that NASCAR do something. Oh, like post this sign near each entrance...We encourage all of our loyal NASCAR fans to leave their Confederate Flags and memorabilia at home, After all, the war ended 150 years ago, you lost, you surrendered and the South will never, ever rise again.