Though protests about racial injustice during the national anthem have been happening since last year, Donald Trump’s attacks on black athletes this past weekend have brought them to the forefront of our national discourse. Some people have twisted these protests into meaning something they don’t. To be clear, the focus of these actions is to call attention to police and state violence against black people and other people of color. It’s not about a flag, a song or national pride. But truth rarely matters when it comes to fanning the flames of racial hatred—something Donald Trump is masterful at. He’s successfully equated black protest to disrespect of the country and his rabid base absolutely eats it up.
As evidence of this, on Sunday several NASCAR owners fed right into Trump’s crackdown on the First Amendment when they said that they would not accept any protests of the anthem at their races.
Former NASCAR champion Richard Petty told the AP that any member of his team would be fired if they chose to protest the national anthem. Petty now owns Richard Petty Motorsports.
“Anybody that don’t stand up for the anthem oughta be out of the country. Period. What got ’em where they’re at? The United States,” Petty said in comments reported by the AP.
Richard Childress, a former driver who owns Richard Childress Racing, said any protests from his team members would “get you a ride on a Greyhound bus.”
Black protest has always been met with ire and scorn so, in part, we shouldn’t be surprised. But Trump has managed to get some so worked up with zealous idolatry of the flag and anthem coupled with deep hatred of black people that his followers are now advocating authoritarianism. Unyielding loyalty to flag and country without protest and other forms of dissent? That’s exactly what they do in North Korea. Though we are an imperfect country, these are not our values and should not be what we are promoting in America in 2017. But The Donald is perfectly happy to lead a country where his way is the only way. So you can imagine that the statement of these NASCAR owners has simply delighted him.
Apparently, NASCAR owners and supporters really like flags. Because in addition to the American flag, they are fond of flying the Confederate flag all over their racetracks and events. This doesn’t exactly create the most welcoming of environments for black people and others who, for good reason, are offended by symbols of the Confederacy. Back in August in the wake of the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, the head of NASCAR had this to say:
“NASCAR brings fans of all different backgrounds and points of view together to celebrate one thing they all have in common – a love for NASCAR. We are saddened by recent tragic events around the world and feel strongly there is no place for bigotry, racism, hatred or violence in our society,” Brent Dewar, NASCAR's president, said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports.
But here’s how well they do as a sport in terms of diversity:
In other words, NASCAR is one of the whitest sports there is with a fan base that is also extremely white. So it’s not shocking that the owners would jump on the Trump train and endorse quelling black people’s right to free speech. They don’t have black athletes who will cost them money or fan attendance by protesting. These folks have absolutely nothing to lose. They can freely spout this garbage and demonstrate their hatred of black people without much consequence. This is Trump’s America—where the exercise of free speech is discouraged and actively prevented by employers. Add this to the ridiculously long list of reasons why this man should be removed from the presidency immediately.
Just in case you were wondering, one small bright spot is that not everyone in the sport has been brainwashed by Trump’s madness. Here’s what Dale Earnhardt, Jr. tweeted early Monday morning: