Bubba Wallaces story serves as a reminder that sport can unite us if we let it
Nascar and “the sports world is changing,” said Bubba Wallace.
With the recent surge of social justice reform taking the world by storm, the sports world is responding.
Bubba Wallace took a stand to make sure the confederate flag would no longer fly over or be present at race-ways.
As Nascar’s only black race car driver Wallace has been shown support by all 43 Nascar teams.
Every team was represented as they pushed Wallace’s car to the starting line in a show of support after a noose was found in Wallace’s garage stall.
“The prerace deal was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to witness in my life. This is truly incredible and I’m glad to be a part of this sport,” said Wallace
Wallace was visibly moved by the show of support.
Nascar has since responded and has banned the Confederate flag from any Nascar events, and the FBI is investigating the noose incident.
Athletes have rallied around Wallace and his story.
Wallace’s story has captured the attention of the world and has warranted statements from fans, politicians, and athletes.
“The noose, formed at the bottom of a pull rope attached to the garage door, had been in place since early as last fall,” the FBI said.
“The last race we had there in October, that noose was present, and the fact that it was not found until a member of the 43 team came there is something that is a fact,” NASCAR President Steve Phelps said during a conference.
Wallace on CNN cited a natural escalation and heightened sensitivity among all involved because of the discovery of the noose… Which occurred almost two weeks after a Wallace-led push for NASCAR to ban the confederate flag.
While the FBI investigation found no evidence of a hate crime Wallace’s story serves as great step forward into a new world.
This is just the beginning.
Athletes everywhere are using their platforms to change perspectives and to bring change to the world.
Colin Kapernick took a knee in 2016 and has been blackballed from football ever since.
But Kapernick is not the only player speaking out anymore.
Since the death of George Floyd, the world has changed. The world is beginning to understand the significance of Kapernick’s knee.
Opinions are changing and the sports world will likely never be the same.
Only time will tell what the world will look like…But the social pressure is mounting and world leaders and sports leagues are being forced to rethink outdated perspectives.