Culture of Hate

NASCAR is misread. Assumptions pigeonhole fans. Drivers are typecast. NASCAR is subject to vicious stereotyping. The sport is southern, uneducated, redneck, and no one residing outside the former Confederacy watches. Simply stated, the opposite is fact.

On February 20, Washington’s legislature debated a proposed track. Unfortunately, Representative Larry Seaquist chose defamation over discussion. "These people are not the kind of people you would want living next door to you," Seaquist said. "They'd be the ones with the junky cars in the front yard and would try to slip around the law."

Subsequently, Speaker of the House Frank Chopp also slandered. His aspersion target was Richard Petty. “You mean the guy who got picked up for DUI?” Chopp asked. “He's not a member of the House last time I checked.”

Chopp and Seaquist’s statements are asinine. They are pathetic and erroneous stereotypes. Women comprise forty percent of the fan base. Fifty-eight percent are ages 18-44. Seventeen percent are either African-American or Hispanic. Eight percent’s salaries exceed one hundred thousand dollars. Sixty-three percent reside in the northeast, midwest, or west.

Chopp and Seaquist’s subjects are convenient targets. If their comments stereotyped African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Hispanics, or Jews, a firestorm would have ensued. Apologies or resignations would have been requested. This is not a racial issue. With that stated, Chopp and Seaquist’s comments shriek prejudice. Both are reprehensible.

NASCAR began in the south. With that stated, baseball diverged from England. Hockey was exported from Canada. Their fans are not libeled, mangled, or maligned. Chopp, Seaquist, and their ilk are wretched. They are also dangerous. Their assertions cultivate and promote supremacist bigotry. Acceptable bigotry. This is frightening.