“We don’t focus our energy on those people,” Bubba Wallace SLAMS critics of NASCAR’s diversity and inclusion mission
Bubba Wallace is the only African American driver in the NASCAR Cup Series.
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Bubba Wallace (Credits: Motorsport.com)
Bubba Wallace, the only African American driver in the Cup Series, is the face of diversity in the sport. The 23XI Racing driver had a message for people criticizing NASCAR’s diversity and inclusion attempts ahead of Chicago’s Street race debut last weekend. On Thursday, Wallace hosted an event, “Bubba’s Block Party,” to create awareness of the importance of diversity in the sport.
The event was held at the DuSable Black History Museum in Chicago and included plenty of activities for fans of all ages. They even had the American rapper Lupe Fiasco performing for them. Bubba Wallace hopes that events like these will make a positive impression on people. The 29-year-old wants the NASCAR world and its fans to change for the better and welcome all age groups and races.
Bubba Wallace was asked why he was considered one of the most unpopular drivers in NASCAR. The No. 23 Toyota Camry driver replied, “I’ve always said there are three types of people: the ones that will accept change, the ones that are on the fence about change, and the ones that will never change.” Wallace believes some fans are unwilling to change though NASCAR tries to welcome everyone.
Bubba Wallace says some people will never change their ideas about diversity
Wallace added, “You can never get to the minds of the people that will never change, so we don’t really focus our energy on those people. We try to convince the ones that are on the fence about change. ‘This is what can happen. Stick with us, and let’s ride it out to the end.’ He also believes that a few others accept change right away.
Bubba Wallace feels plenty of people don’t like the direction NASCAR is headed, especially with making the sport more inclusive and diverse. These people do not bother him as the focus for him and the sport is to march forward. They aim to make the sport with no boundaries and welcoming of everyone irrespective of their background. Wallace believes it is a non-stop process.
Though the impact of events like “Bubba’s Block Party” might not be seen immediately, it is a work in progress. It is held in other races too. Bubba Wallace is thankful that these events allow reaching out to new audiences of different backgrounds. While NASCAR wants to move forward and become inclusive, Wallace believes some do not like this approach. Nevertheless, the 23XI Racing driver will continue to push and fight for diversity within the sport in whichever way he can.
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Sugantha Meena
(493 Articles Published)