July 01, 2004
Jesse Jackson to NASCAR: 'Negroes Can Drive Cars Fast'
Tuesday, Jesse Jackson put his foot in his mouth once again -- this time by saying that NASCAR should have more black drivers than it does because "negroes can drive cars fast."
The setting was a sports luncheon in Chicago, a part of the PUSH/Rainbow Coalition's 33rd annual conference this week.
"One thing I know, negroes can drive cars fast," Jackson said to laughter. "I mean, we go through red lights, even [drive] at night with our lights off. We can drive cars fast," he asserted from the podium.NASCAR's support of the conference this week flies in the face of prior indications that the racing circuit had ended fiscal support of Jackson's group in 2003 due to negative public pressure.
George Pyne, NASCAR's vice president of marketing, made clear the relationship between NASCAR and Jackson.
"I would like to thank Reverend Jackson and the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition for being positive catalysts for change. It is an honor to be here today."Jackson's next step? Challenging corporate team-sponsors to get them to finance minority drivers.Pyne was unequivocal in his defense of NASCAR's decision to support Jackson.
"I would point out that there are a number of Fortune 500 companies that support Rainbow/PUSH and every other major sport America supports, or a number of major sports entities, support Rainbow PUSH," Pyne said.
"We certainly would think that we would want to be in step with the other sports and corporations in America, and it's consistent with how we approach the business," he added.
My question? How much of that financing will find it's way into Jesse's pocket to help continue is racket...
Posted by mhking at July 1, 2004 10:27 AMUuuuggggghhhhh. Give him a microphone and . . . gosh, I'm just so tired of watching him put his foot in his mouth so often.
Posted by: Lola at July 1, 2004 12:47 PMI'm sure that if Rev. Jackson has a friend or close relative who's always wanted to be a race car driver, this controversy can be put to bed very quickly.
Posted by: Gib at July 1, 2004 02:51 PMMaybe Jesse should demand that Rodney King be the selected as a NASCAR driver? When he pulls into the pits, his crew beats the crap out of him while refueling and changing the tires.
Posted by: Laurence Simon at July 1, 2004 03:35 PM