# Should Confederate Flags be banned from NASCAR events? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 9, 2020, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321 "2020-06-09T19:59:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321/21 "2020-06-10T04:44:06Z")
If NASCAR can live without tobacco, it can live without this other bad habit. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321/22 "2020-06-10T04:53:48Z")
> [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](#): > > … (is there any other country in the world where the flag of an unsuccessful revolution can be legally flown?) > > … Most Free nations actually, as they have Freedom of Expression just like the USA does. Many Euro nations still have some restrictions on Nazi symbols, depending on intent. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321/23 "2020-06-10T08:55:01Z")
The UK position in Neo-Nazism is a little bit more robust than just banning the flying of flags > **[National Action: 'Miss Hitler' hopeful among four jailed](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-52965672)** > > A "Miss Hitler" beauty pageant entrant and three others are jailed for being National Action members. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321/24 "2020-06-10T10:05:31Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > For a long time the flag was the symbol of being a “rebel”. That is someone who rebels against authority. > > Many rock groups like Lynard Skynard used it. The flag was resurrected in the early 20th century and a symbol of opposition to civil rights for black Americans. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321/25 "2020-06-10T13:02:20Z")
**iiandyiiii** , that was the thing that we were never taught when I was growing up. It was just the sign of a rebel, cool guy thing – it’s even in one of the dorms in Animal House. It’s only later than I learned about all the racist reasons why it came back. Anyway, this group of conservatives and Republicans think that it’s the flag of traitors and losers: It's so weird that it seems to go hand in hand with outward expressions of (obviously false) patriotism. Should the Nazi flag be banned at NASCAR events? That’s no less an expression of white supremacism than the Confederate one, I think. And, they weren’t traitors. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321/26 "2020-06-10T13:08:52Z")
NASCAR and Monster Jam from what I’ve seen has been working hard at removing itself from the white, redneck past. They want more dark skinned faces in the crowd. This will be a part of that. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321/27 "2020-06-10T13:14:19Z")
Years ago, I posted that all the reasons to display the Confederate Flag boil down to four: 1. I fly it because I’m a white supremacist. 2. I fly it because I’m ignorant. 3. I fly it because I’m an asshole. 4. I fly it because of some combination of 1, 2, and 3. I’ve never found someone flying it for a different reason. Kanye West briefly made me think that “I fly it because I’ve taken way too many drugs” might qualify, but I think he fits nicely under 2 and 3. NASCAR should absolutely ban it. People have an obligation to make racist behavior socially unacceptable, and people who fly flags fly them for the symbolism. Banning that flag sends a strong social signal, and in a small way it’ll help de-normalize racist behavior. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321/28 "2020-06-10T20:56:06Z")
It really isn’t the Confederate flag. I’ve gotten to the point of shouting it all over social media. The CSA never flew that flag. It’s the _Ku Klux Klan flag_. It always has been. You might not have known that back when Dukes of Hazzard was on the air before the worldwide web existed, but there’s no excuse now. Anyone who still thinks it’s “heritage not hate” is being willfully ignorant. That said, the government shouldn’t ban it, but I’d be perfectly happy if every single business did, including NASCAR. ---
**Author:** ![Scoobysnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Scoobysnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scoobysnax)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321/29 "2020-06-10T21:34:41Z")
well it is official. > **[NASCAR bans Confederate flags at all races, events | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/10/us/nascar-bans-confederate-flag-spt-trnd/index.html)** > > On Monday, the only full-time African American driver in NASCAR's Cup Series called for the auto racing body to ban Confederate flags from its events. Two days later, his dream came true. This thread can probably be moved to the game room now. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321/30 "2020-06-10T21:43:05Z")
> [@Scoobysnax](#): > > well it is official. > > [https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/10/us/nascar-bans-confederate-flag-spt-trnd/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/10/us/nascar-bans-confederate-flag-spt-trnd/index.html) > > This thread can probably be moved to the game room now. Holy crap, this is going to be an epic meltdown! I’m gonna need some popcorn. ---
**Author:** ![Scoobysnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Scoobysnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scoobysnax)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321/31 "2020-06-10T21:59:59Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Holy crap, this is going to be an epic meltdown! I’m gonna need some popcorn. Go check out some of the NASCAR Facebook groups (not sure if I am allowed to call out any in particular here). They are losing their minds. The grammar and spelling are as you would expect from a bunch of knuckle draggers. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321/32 "2020-06-10T22:08:20Z")
Did no one think of all those orange '69 Dodge Chargers that will have to be repainted? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321/33 "2020-06-10T22:45:01Z")
Holy crap, I never thought NASCAR would do that. I think I might just support them again. I really never thought they would do that. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321/34 "2020-06-10T23:10:00Z")
In my opinion, anyone displaying the confederate flag proudly should be allowed to do so. And everyone should be made very aware that person is a traitor to the United States of America and supports slavery. That’s the bottom line - they are flying the flag of an enemy of the United States. They are telling us all that they are traitors to the country. Let them. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321/35 "2020-06-11T00:17:54Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Holy crap, I never thought NASCAR would do that. I think I might just support them again. I really never thought they would do that. I know! I might just pay to watch traffic in support of this. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321/36 "2020-06-11T00:27:05Z")
> [@Scoobysnax](#): > > well it is official. > > [https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/10/us/nascar-bans-confederate-flag-spt-trnd/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/10/us/nascar-bans-confederate-flag-spt-trnd/index.html) > > This thread can probably be moved to the game room now. Whiel I am gratified, I must also admit I am surprised. NASCAR’s base is in the South, and I expect this will not go down well in the Georgia-Louisiana area. > [@Grrr](#): > > Holy crap, this is going to be an epic meltdown! I’m gonna need some popcorn. Oh yeah. Waiting to see what politicians (not local yokels, but folks on the national stage) and news organizations (Fox, anybody) lose their minds attacking this… > [@Scoobysnax](#): > > Go check out some of the NASCAR Facebook groups (not sure if I am allowed to call out any in particular here). They are losing their minds. The grammar and spelling are as you would expect from a bunch of knuckle draggers. No thanks, as I age my tolerance for idiots lessens. And I expect reading those sites would age me right into senility… ---
**Author:** ![Kyomara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8edcca/32.png) [@Kyomara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyomara)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321/37 "2020-06-11T02:45:40Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > Whiel I am gratified, I must also admit I am surprised. NASCAR’s base is in the South, and I expect this will not go down well in the Georgia-Louisiana area. I bet that NASCAR’s calculation here (aside from it being the right thing to do) is that CSA flag- wavers are vocal but actually few, and that it won’t substantially affect their bottom line. Give it a generation and no one will remember they were ever mad about it. Side note: NASCAR’s tweets generally get just a couple dozen replies, but their announcement of the flag ban has received hundreds of butt-hurt comments. It is a sight to behold. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321/38 "2020-06-11T02:49:20Z")
The reddit NASCAR sub was overwhelmingly positive about the change but reddit tends to lean left. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321/39 "2020-06-11T08:03:55Z")
My boss, who could be considered a local yokel, thinks the confederate flag goes together with country music, which he enjoys. The next time he brings it up, I will remind him that there’s a lot of other people who disagree. I am certain he thinks it’s harmlos, and does not put it in the same category as Nazi symbolism. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2020, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321/40 "2020-06-22T14:14:15Z")
[Some racist fuck left a noose in Wallace’s Talladega garage stall Sunday.](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2020/06/21/bubba-wallace-noose-found-43-garage-talladega-superspeedway/3233941001/) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321.md?page=3)