Let me get this out of the way first and foremost: I know diddly-squat about NASCAR and racing cars in general.
And, if the following comments are any indication of the "NASCAR community", then I would rather not have anything to do with it:
I am tired of black people holding up white people for thier hard earned money....either with a gun or a lawyer....its the same crime...this "get a check for racism" game is old....I like the facts...you should to....but you dont....and its all because "whitey" is a racisist and "de holdin me down"....and the attitude is commonly ghetto black....."they owe me" so I have a right to rob them.......or steal from them....or sue them....they are cowards with no personal fortitude or motivation.....unless it is to get a check....for not working...
Yea the Blacks in America are soooo repressed, That is why a black woman gets a job over a black man who gets the job over a white woman who gets the job over a white man. Oh yea the college funds and government programs that apply easier to some than others I am NOT racist this is fact.
Blacks are given more opportunites that whites in todays world. There are scholarships specifically for african/americans; grant programs for african/americans to get technical schooling free; a Miss Black America (do we have a Ms White America? no we don't cause that would be racist); welfare programs; food stamps; free housing; I could go on an on. If I wanted my kids to go to college, guess who had to pay for it.
The reverse racism is unbelievable. Blacks have the NAACP, Rainbow Coalition, BET, Jesse and Al, UNCF, etc. and none of those are racist organizations, however, any KKK member is racist because he believes in the protection of "white rights." This country remains divided because of the minorities who get the majority of welfare, college scholarships, oh and prison time.
as far as the n word, there is this thing called freedom of speech, people can say what they want no matter if it hurts feelings
I could go on, but there's an ever-increasing urge to punch my computer monitor...I like my monitor. ^_^
Not that these assholes need an excuse to be racist, but the reason they've "got their ire up" this time is the pending $225 Million lawsuit against NASCAR for racial and sexual discrimination filed by Mauricia Grant.
Ms. Grant, the first Black woman official at NASCAR, attended Spelman College and received a degree in sociology from SUNY-Stony Brook on Long Island.
Mo quickly tired of her desk job and adopted her stepfather's passion for working with tools. She was accepted in the Los Angeles Urban League Automotive Training Center and began an internship at Irwindale Speedway.According to Section 21 of the lawsuit:
And she did it the hard way.
"When I started working at Irwindale Speedway, it was because of my own interest," Grant said. "I volunteered to work for free at the Dodge Weekly Racing (Series). It was something that I wanted to do. I was a L.A. girl and there was a short track close by — 30 miles from L.A. It had nothing to do with me wanting to help NASCAR diversify its sport.
"Once I was working at Irwindale and I got real great reviews from my bosses, Magic Johnson heard about me because Shav Glick wrote a story about me that appeared in the L.A. Times. Magic read it and invited me to speak on behalf of NASCAR at an event to celebrate John Mack, the former president of the L.A. Urban League."
When the late Shav Glick of the Times interviewed Irwindale Speedway principals, the reviews of Grant could not have been more admirable.
"Mauricia is a great asset to our officiating crew and to the track in general," track VP Bob DeFazio told the Times. "Her enthusiasm seems perfectly matched by her ability to learn. We've asked the people at the Automotive Training Center to please send us more like her."
"The best word to describe Mo is sharp," Director of Racing, Lester Boyer told the Times. "She's not only one of the hardest-working track officials, she's the most friendly. Tech inspection is always an us-vs.-them deal, like we're trying to find something wrong with someone's race car. In reality, that couldn't be further from the truth. We just love it when a car sails through the safety and rules compliance inspection. Mo's smile and the way she does this important job just puts everyone at ease.
Defendant NASCAR hired Plaintiff MAURICIA GRANT not only because of her skills and qualifications as a racing Official, but also as a symbol of NASCAR’s newfound, purported commitment to diversity. Indeed, throughout her employment, Defendant NASCAR repeatedly featured Plaintiff MAURICA GRANT at public out-reach programs designed to convince the media, corporate sponsors and others of the company’s diversity. At the same time, within Defendant NASCAR’s corporate headquarters and on its racetracks throughout the country, there was and remains a permissive and encouraging environment for racial and sexual discrimination and harassment among directors, managers, supervisors, officials and employees of the company against African-American and female employees.Examples of the "permissive and encouraging environment for racial and sexual discrimination", were name calling ("Mohammed, "Nappy Headed Mo", "Queen Sheba", "Al Qaeda", "Black Sisters Revenge", "Mo from the Block", "Molicious", "bitch," "nigger", "Simpleton"), ignorant comments and questions ("How do you fix that hair?", "How come the palms of your hands are white?", "She's on Colored People Time", "It must be National Minority Day", "You can't possibly sunburn..", "What up, my nigga?"), and unwanted sexual propositioning ("Let me see your tits", "Do you wanna see my dick?"). There are too many allegations to post, but the lawsuit lists everything in excruciating detail. (***TRIGGER WARNING) The lawsuit also states:
123. Throughout her employment at Defendant NASCAR, Plaintiff MAURICIAMs. Grant was terminated from her job on October 27, 2007 for "poor work performance".
GRANT received positive performance evaluations, including from her direct supervisor, Public Relations Manager Doub Hanshaw. On numerous occasions, Plaintiff TRACEY WRIGHT was praised by her Supervisors for her natural aptitude in and enthusiasm for Public Relations, as well as for the excellent feedback Free People received from its media contacts concerning Plaintiff’s professionalism, responsiveness and demeanor.
124. Unfortunately, after Plaintiff MAURICIA GRANT complained of racial discrimination and harassment, she was subjected to heightened scrutiny, unwarranted disciplinary action, degrading treatment and continued harassment culminating in her unlawful termination, in direct retaliation for her complaints.
The bullshit...it is strong...
NASCAR CEO Brian France claims he knew nothing about these allegations before the lawsuit.
"If any of those claims turn out to be accurate and have substance, we would have liked to have known about that two years ago, so that we could react and have done something about it because it's inconsistent with anything ... from a policy standpoint about how a work environment for our officials should be," France said.
First of all, I call bullshit. Secondly, given the circumstances, I could see why someone would be hesitant to approach their supervisors (emphasis mine):
40. Throughout her employment from approximately January 2005 through her
wrongful termination on or about October 27, 2007, Plaintiff MAURICIA GRANT was one of approximately 30 Officials employed by Defendant NASCAR for its Busch Series. In 2005, only approximately five of those 30 Officials (or 17%), including Plaintiff, were women. In 2006, the number of female Officials decreased to four when one of the women was fired after she complained about the sexually hostile work environment. In 2007, Plaintiff MAURICIA GRANT was one of only three women employed as Officials in the NASCAR Busch Series.
41. Throughout her employment with Defendant NASCAR from approximately
January 2005 through her wrongful termination on or about October 27, 2007, Plaintiff MAURICIA GRANT was the only Black Official employed in the NASCAR Busch Series.
42. Throughout her employment with Defendant NASCAR from approximately
January 2005 through her wrongful termination on or about October 27, 2007, Plaintiff MAURICIA GRANT was the only Black female Official employed by Defendant NASCAR out of some 75 Officials employed for all its racing competitions.
As long she remained the "poster-girl" for NASCAR's Drive for Diversity initiative and kept for mouth shut, there wasn't any problem. Now that she's asserted herself and is fighting against a racist corporation, "She chose to make this about money and about a lawsuit."
I wanted to get into all of the bigotry surrounding this sport, but I just don't have the strength right now. (I'm sure there'll be quite a few NASCAR trolls knocking on my door as soon as I hit "Publish".) I'm tired. I'm frustrated. And I'm mad.
I think I'll just end (for now) with Bill Center:
“NASCAR races are different for me,” [Milton Hines, the program and operations director for ESPN Radio 800] said. “From officials to fans, I do get looks. I find myself keeping my hands in my pockets. I love the sport, but there are a lot of places I wouldn't go. I'm sorry, but it's just a fact"...
...
I do know that I've heard racist comments like the ones she puts forward in NASCAR settings. And I do know that when Milton Hines walks through the garages at Fontana, he gets strange looks. I've been there. I've seen it.
*Cross-posted at Purple.
*Update (08/09/08): Before you decide to comment do me a favor and READ THE FREAKIN' POST!! And you would really help me bunches if you read what you type before hitting the little "Post" button. I've got comments in moderation from people who obviously has no idea what the point of this post is supposed to be (Here's a clue: I support Mauricia Grant and the lawsuit!) and people whose comments are so confusing that I'm not even sure they're on the right blog! Remember kiddies: Reading is FUNdamental! kthxby
22 comments:
Here's an interview Mo did when she first started working at Irwindale SuperSpeedway in Los Angeles.
http://www.tomorrowpictures.tv/2008/06/16/nascar-suspends-two-officials-in-first-fallout-from-mauricia-grants-225-million-lawsuit/
She seemed pretty happy with the gig at the time...
Ahem:
"I loved it. It was a great, exciting, adrenaline-filled job where I worked with fast cars and the best drivers in the world," Grant told The Associated Press. "But there was an ongoing daily pattern (of harassment). It was the nature of the people I worked with, the people who ran it, it trickled down from the top.
I heard people on the radio today talking about NASCAR (not a political radio show, either) and saying they fly the confederate flag at some races...?
Considering that the radio host sometimes expresses irritating "I don't think we're as racist of a country as we think we are" statements, the fact that *he* was like, hey NASCAR, ya may want to tone down the old white supremacy stuff...
It's heartbreaking to me on top of angering - why can't a person just be allowed to do a job she loves and that she's good at? People act like this is about potential loss and embarrassment and unfortunate-ness for the organization being sued, totally ignoring the huge loss it is for a person to be criminally forced out of a job she was doing that HELPED the company who screwed her over!
Cuz it's so much more satisfying to publicly fight with people and not be assured a dime from a lawsuit than it is to go about the business of enjoying your successful life that you worked for and were previously minding your own business in.
*flipping Nascar and its "community" of commenting defenders the bird*
I've known Mo for years and I hate her guts. My personal opinion of her is that she's an entitled bitch. But a person doesn't have to be nice to be victimized. I absolutely believe NASCAR capable of what she described. Aren't old boys' clubs great!
Absolutely amazing....how fast we all are to accept her word on everything, and he word alone. Where is the physical evidence? Where are the witnesses? Bring them forward...I grow tired of people taking the word of one person as gospel. And....225 Million? For what? Was she left without legs? Without arms? Is she in a wheelchair for the rest of her life? Come on, you idiots....grow up and see that frivolous lawsuits are impacting this coutry in a way they never have before!!!! Give 225 Mil to a child in Uganda who's parents were killed by anti-Christians.....give 225 Mil to the Iraqi War vet who had his eyes destoyed by a roadside bomb....NOT to someone who says their feelings were hurt!!! Are you people friggin' crazy???!!!??? And as for Joan Kelly....I am NOT a NASCAR fan, nor a "Hillbilly", but an American who is tired of lawsuits that are way beyond what a REASONABLE person would consider fair. Again, 225 Mil? For what? Was she going to make tha much in her lifetime as a NASCAR official? If she was, then I am wrong.....if not, then all of you should realize that the damage awarded in a civil suit should be proportionate to the ACTUAL damages.
c'mon...$250 million dollars...is this woman serious? there is no way her "suffering" can be equated to a quater of a billion dollars. if the allegations are true then she should receive some sort of settlement...but not millions of dollars. once when i was in high school someone called me an "asshole", I think i'll just go ahead and sue them for, hmmm....lets say $100 million.
secondly, the comments in the blog are accurate. it is easier for minorities to attain jobs and college educations, which is odd. minorities preach for equality, and i agree, equality is the answer. however, giving minorities opportunities and advantages that are not available to all persons is certainly not equality.
the point about having a ms. black america rings true...how would minorities react if we had a ms. white america? they would be mad as hell. i've also heard about women playing in mens sports leagues...such as a girl in high school playing baseball. ok, thats fine, but only if young men in high school can play on the womens softball team.
the problem here is that there are still inequalitites, but they have just been reversed. i would say that 99% of whites want true equality, as do 99% of minorities. but for some reason we enact laws and regulations that give minorities an advantage, which means someone else is being held at a disadvantage.
First let's get this straight. I don't really care for NASCAR. However, I am seeing the same idiotic lawsuits coming around again. Come on let's be real for a minute. Would you step into a cage with 25 pit bulls that only know how to do one thing? What I am referring to is that yes NASCAR is full of rednecks. Just full of them. I wouldn't even go to their shows. It's like a white guy taking a stroll through a Harlem park. You know that saying about how white people can't dance? Honey, what the hell are you doing working for NASCAR? You may get your 225 million but I doubt you will get to spend it. Let it go honey. Life is worth more than money. It's just like how black America took out Imus and Kramer from Seinfeld and basically hung them for doing the same bullshit that black america does when one of their ignorant comedians grace the stage and talk about white people. The karma is in the air honey. Do not be surprised when it blows up in your face.
Well put! Finally someone points out reverse-rasism from black people! I am half native american and understand being a minority. However, I don't believe a word Ms.Grant says! Ohhhhhh, she saw a penis, oh my God! Why didn't she complain when that happend? Ironic how all of these terrible things happed to her over the last 2 1/2 years as soon as she gets fired. Pathetic! I hope she gets nothing from her law-suit!
I am a white woman in Kansas. I teach school and am old enough to remember the struggles of African Americans in this country. I am old enough to have attended high school before Title IX. And, I am old enough to know that I will write to every advertiser supporting NASCAR and tell them to stop with their ads. I am old enough to know that I will contact every person of color and have them contact every person of color and then contact every woman I know and have them call NASCAR advertisers.
The treatment of Mauricia Grant is an abomination. And, I am making it my mission of 2008 to see that she is redeemed.
Join my crusade!
**cracks knuckles...
Let get this started..
First up! Dumbass #1: Tim Fox
Where is the physical evidence? Where are the witnesses? Bring them forward...
Um...how can you have physical evidence of someone calling you racist names? As for witnesses, there were plenty. Unfortunately, all of the witnesses are the same racist turds she's complaining about.
I grow tired of people taking the word of one person as gospel.
Just like you're taking NASCAR's word for gospel.
And....225 Million? For what? Was she left without legs? Without arms? Is she in a wheelchair for the rest of her life?
First of all...What the hell?
Come on, you idiots....grow up and see that frivolous lawsuits are impacting this coutry in a way they never have before!!!!
Secondly, how is it frivolous to demand respect from your coworkers and supervisors?
Give 225 Mil to a child in Uganda who's parents were killed by anti-Christians.....give 225 Mil to the Iraqi War vet who had his eyes destoyed by a roadside bomb....NOT to someone who says their feelings were hurt!!!
"Anti-Christians"? You are smoking some bad stuff, man.
Also, why is it that you get to tell her what to do with her money? And when was the last time you sent any money to Ugandan children and Iraqi war vets?
...then all of you should realize that the damage awarded in a civil suit should be proportionate to the ACTUAL damages.
Define "actual" damages. This isn't a car wreck we're talking about; it's somebody's dignity and sense of self-worth. What price would you put you on your own dignity?
Next up, Dumbass #2: Anonymous @ 07/03/08, 10:43
once when i was in high school someone called me an "asshole", I think i'll just go ahead and sue them for, hmmm....lets say $100 million.
Only if you promise to give it all to Ugandan children and Iraqi war vets.
it is easier for minorities to attain jobs and college educations, which is odd. minorities preach for equality, and i agree, equality is the answer. however, giving minorities opportunities and advantages that are not available to all persons is certainly not equality.
Won't somebody pleeeaaase think of the white people?!!
the point about having a ms. black america rings true...how would minorities react if we had a ms. white america?
She's called Miss USA.
Time for a history lesson: When you can count on one hand how many Women of Color became Miss USA and Miss America, then something is wrong with the system! The reason that Miss Black America exists is because blacks weren't allowed to compete in other pageants. And because the standard of beauty has always leaned towards European, minority pageants have been the only way to truly embrace non-white beauty. (Please don't get me me wrong, tho. I hate beauty pageants and what stand for in our patriarchal society. But still.)
i've also heard about women playing in mens sports leagues...such as a girl in high school playing baseball. ok, thats fine, but only if young men in high school can play on the womens softball team.
I seriously doubt that you're the type of person to march a picket line for in protest of a man not being allowed on a women's team.
America is a toxic dump of ignorance.
They who have the power in the country sucks. 90% of this country is white so let's face it; that is the group with the most power. We would all spit on another to save ourselves. When the power base controls media they are in the position to put a positive spin on their own cause. If anyone thinks what happened to this girl is right then we all be damned. If 90% of the country is White then there are a lot of white fuck ups (period). However, thats not news. Missing white women thats news. black atheletes that are fuck ups thats news. Mexicans that don't belong here thats news. The power base is not going to show White America in a bad light at the same rate that they show minority americans. If you are ever wronged as a person you know it was wrong. You have to hope someone realizes it was wrong and leaves all of this american race bullshit out of it and makes it right.
good luck to you when you meet your maker.
^^^ wow...okay then....
Just one small point of contention: the population of the US isn't 90% white, it's more like 76%. And that's including the Hispanic population.
Come on let's be real for a minute. Would you step into a cage with 25 pit bulls that only know how to do one thing?
So, let me get this straight...You're saying that she deserved to treated the way that she did just because she dared to be the first black woman official? She should have known better she dared to break the sex and colorlines in a field dominated by white men?
The stupid is strong with this one.
It's like a white guy taking a stroll through a Harlem park.
So, you're saying that the white guy has no right to expect to be treated with dignity and respect just because of where he walks?
I'd laugh at you if your thinking weren't so pathetic.
You know that saying about how white people can't dance?
You know that saying that saying that black people are lazy thugs who want something for nothing?
Let's compare stereotypes, shall we?
"can't dance" vs. "lazy thugs"
wow...that's a tough one.
It's just like how black America took out Imus and Kramer from Seinfeld and basically hung them for doing the same bullshit that black america does when one of their ignorant comedians grace the stage and talk about white people.
And now Imus has his job back and Michael "Kramer" Richards is still a millionaire celebrity.
I can smell the justice...and it smells like ass.
The karma is in the air honey. Do not be surprised when it blows up in your face.
Speaking of explosives...Please be sure to play with lots and lots of fireworks this weekend...
...preferably near your crotch.
Finally someone points out reverse-rasism from black people!
"Finally"?
What cross-dimensional news media have you been watching?
Also, there is no such thing as reverse-racism. Since "reverse-racim" would technically be the "reverse" of "racism", then it would mean "not racist".
Ohhhhhh, she saw a penis, oh my God! Why didn't she complain when that happend?
Did any of you people actually read the lawsuit?
**sounds of crickets...
I thought not.
Okay, people:
I posted those last comments because, frankly, I like to expose the stupid. However, all future comments must be ON-TOPIC. This will not turn into a forum for airing your grievances about the Black race (or the white race, for that matter).
what a hypocrite angel is...
"I posted those last comments because, frankly, I like to expose the stupid. However, all future comments must be ON-TOPIC."
That's cool, do whatever you want, get the last word in, and then demand others not to follow suit.
And thanks for the responses to my post. Your counter-points were exactly what I expected from such a narrow minded "activist" changing the world with a blog.
For my fist point about suing someone for calling me an "asshole"...I dont even know how to describe your response, i guess it was an attempt at humor directed at the poster above me, but it had no content and showed you had nothing important to say in response, which I take as you feeling you did not have anyway to argue my point.
Secondly, my point about how it is easier for minorities to obtain jobs and college scholarships. You replyed sarcastically "will someone pleaaaase think about the white man?" Funny, you preach equality, but then state that it is ok for whites to be held at a disadvantage in this regard.
thirdly, points about ms. america...again, you show that there is inequalities. you state that blacks are allowed in the ms. america contest, that whites are not allowed in the ms. black america contest, and that no ms. white america contest exists.
Finally, the point about women playing in men's sports leagues. You reply that you doubt i would picket for this issue...ummm ok, nice response. Once again you had nothing intelligent to counter me with and once again you showed your ignorance.
I'm fairly certain you will not upload this post on your site because will be embarrased and you are too narrow minded to hear both sides of the issue.
I guess "Don't read this blog" is a fitting title.
what a hypocrite angel is...
Tell it to someone who actually gives a damn about you think of them. Here's a clue: It's not me.
That's cool, do whatever you want, get the last word in, and then demand others not to follow suit.
Don't like it? Get your own blog. Problem solved.
Your counter-points were exactly what I expected from such a narrow minded "activist" changing the world with a blog.
And you're doing, what exactly?
For my fist point about suing someone for calling me an "asshole"...I dont even know how to describe your response, i guess it was an attempt at humor directed at the poster above me, but it had no content and showed you had nothing important to say in response...
I'm still trying to figure out what's so damn important about YOUR response.
Funny, you preach equality, but then state that it is ok for whites to be held at a disadvantage in this regard.
Prove it. Prove to me that white people are now as disadvantaged with the advent of affiramtive action programs, as people of color were before those programs.
thirdly, points about ms. america...again, you show that there is inequalities. you state that blacks are allowed in the ms. america contest, that whites are not allowed in the ms. black america contest, and that no ms. white america contest exists.
Did you know of any white person who has ever wanted to compete in the Miss Black America pageant? Also...
Finally, the point about women playing in men's sports leagues. You reply that you doubt i would picket for this issue...ummm ok, nice response. Once again you had nothing intelligent to counter me with and once again you showed your ignorance.
And YOU didn't respond as to whether or not you would actually protest such an event.
I'm fairly certain you will not upload this post on your site because will be embarrased and you are too narrow minded to hear both sides of the issue.
I don't mind dissenting opinions...I just mind racial dumbasses.
If this was your mother or sister. What would your comments be. I don't equate not wanting to be sexually harassed or denegrated to pulling the race card. It if were a white, hipspanice or asian woman I could careless what her ethnicity was.
I definitely agree with the lawsuit, but how do you get $225 million dollars out of it? $2 million sounds like an accurate number. It kills me lawyers probably made about $90 million on this case. Hopefully Mrs. Grant will see to it that the money will be put to good use such as charities for theNAACP,sexual harrasment,etc)
Just my opinion.
It's horrible to say but she is sealing the fate for the future black nascar drivers. No team in their right mind will hire another black driver in the foreseeable future. It's wrong what happened to her. It's a shame for everyone involved. She should be able to do what she loves and not be hassled, but that's just not the world any of us live in. Lawsuits will only make things worse because it is just easier to hire someone that is not a minority and not take the risk that some idiot will say something horrible and get you sued. Awful but true. If a white guy tried to be a comedian at the apollo and then sued for being mistreated for being white once they blessed him with the job the vast majority of people would say its his own fault. There are racist everywhere in every culture. These lawsuits only make it worse for everyone.
Nah we don't live in a litigation happy society now do we? I'm all for just compensation for wrongful termination but where is the common sense in $225M? I'm available for hire you can call me whatever you like and I'll gladly settle for a 6 figure salary. You know I got some bird crap on a slice of pizza I was eating the other day as I was walking down the street,the bird was on this very well to do company's property. It ruined my lunch and I'm not sure I'll ever look at pizza the same way again.....can I call 800-chase-an-ambulance ,do I have a case? Outrageous on all counts,she should not be entitled to a cent more that her lifetime's potential earnings and if you want to penalize NASCAR do so ,force them to donate millions to a minority group charity.
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