NASCAR sued for being racist, sexist of all things
Look, we all know the stereotypes about NASCAR culture being built upon a foundation of racism and sexism, but we also know that they're just stereotypes and many if not most NASCAR fans and the people who make the sport possible don't fit the prescribed mold. That's why it's unfortunate to hear about allegations levied by Mauricia Grant, a former official for NASCAR, who is accusing her ex-employers of racial and sexual harassment in a $250 million lawsuit filed today in U.S. District Court. Grant alleges she was fired last November for complaining about the way in which she was treated on the job, which included being called racially charged names and even having certain male body parts being exposed in her presence. Grant also claims that when she complained about her treatment, she was told to deal with because she worked with a lot of "military men". And the suit is apparently not directed at any single individual, but the whole lot of good 'ol boys who run NASCAR as officials and supervisors. Crazy stuff, and if true we hope that NASCAR can finally purge itself of these people who only serve to reinforce the motorsport's negative stereotypes.
[Source: WBIR via Winding Road]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
HotRodzNKustoms 6:05PM (6/11/2008)
Here we go again
someone get Al Sharpton on the phone because I know how highly I value his opinion
True or not $250 million seems like a bit much for anything short of maybe double homicide, possibly triple.
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NT 6:07PM (6/11/2008)
Factoring in how much NASCAR makes? I doubt it.
Sexual and Racial prejudice? NASCAR? NOoooo, surely you jest.
ALEXDB9 6:12PM (6/11/2008)
When I think of Nascar, I think of thousands of Larry the cable guys watching cars taking left turns.
Al Sharpton is an idiot, but I bet you she wins.
blogged to death 7:12PM (6/11/2008)
Racists in NASCAR? Really? Can't be...last race I attended (not really voluntarily) I didn't see anyone who wasn't white. Well maybe one latino and he was working a corner station.
The self admitted NASCAR fan is well...a redneck - I didn't make this up...but get it from the guys I know who religiously (pun intended) follow NASCAR say so. And we all know how highly intelligent and accepting they are of other cultures, religions (non Jesus accepting), colors, creed, etc. After that race I took 2 showers and still didn't feel very clean. Some images of 300lb women wearing spandex haltertops, shirtless / teeth missing / skinny men running around screaming "go 20" or "git er done", some of the skinniest and fattest kids I've ever seen (some pulling a gallon of generic vanilla ice cream out of their cooler bags). I need to take another shower with all that I've recalled.
CarbonBlack 7:38PM (6/11/2008)
something tells me Al is more racist than NASCAR!
(hotrod, +1 for your accurate comment)
geo.stewart 9:35PM (6/11/2008)
agreed. keep in mind. you and I will NEVER know the truth. each party will present a biased case that will shade the actual truth in effort to manipulate the outcome.
second. like any sport, political party, ...., there are some extremists and a lot of regular folks. most people will usually stereotype based on the caricature.
considering how big NASCAR is as a company, I find it hard to believe that it is as backwards as is made out, that there wasnt a path through HR to follow outside of her normal bosses if there were any issues. And I seriously find it hard to believe her claim that there isnt a comparable business to get into. Try IRL, F1, AMLS, Baja,...
Flashpoint 10:09PM (6/11/2008)
Is that Condeleeza Rice?
Garibaldi 9:40AM (6/12/2008)
Why is it that some people argue that lawyers are slime and plaintiffs are money-hungry when a sexual harrassment case is filed?
1) NO lawyer will recommend a suit if there's no merit, because they don't get paid, usually, if they lose
2) the case is tried by a judge who has SWORN to uphold the laws of the state and the constitution
3) guilt or innocence is determined by a jury
4) the judge has the right to reduce awards
The median [halfway between the highest and lowest settlements] is $250,00. In 2007, of the 12,000 plus sexual harassment cases filed, 45% were thrown out for "no cause."
It seems to me that citizens are urged to be patriotic and follow the laws of the US, but many of those people complain about lawyers, lawsuits, and high settlements. I don't think you can have it both ways.
Garibaldi
Vintage 10:22AM (6/12/2008)
Are you joking Autoblog?! The MAJORITY of nascar fans are fat, southern, uneducated, racist, sexists piece of crap. If they flunked out of high school and work in a factory and drink cheap beer, chances are they're huge nascar fans.
One of the reasons I come here is because the news ISN"T all about Nascar.
Guenther 3:57PM (6/12/2008)
Vintage, and to some extent Blogged_to_death- take a moment to pull your heads out of you elitist asses.
A- Suit has nothing to do with any fan or spectator, but rather people running the organization.
B- I happen to enjoy NASCAR, don't live in the South, and have 32 teeth and a degree. I find your post highly insulting.
cwj 10:48AM (6/17/2008)
Well, yee-haw for you forgetting you uber-original Al Sharpton comment in AND being first. Perhaps you should send her an application, I'm sure she wouldn't have any of these problems at HotRodzNKustoms. (waits while the "affirmative action" comeback gets properly mulled)
People, learn something about your (flawed) legal system before laying hand to keyboard:
1) The numbers in civil cases against companies are typically proportionate to the size of that company. If you want to direct attention towards what you perceive as a co's wrongdoing, you're not going to be very successful by suing for $25 grand (such us our perception).
2) The numbers have a habit of getting much smaller. Whether the judge deems the number too high (or too low, for that matter) or it's a result of appeal, if the case is decided against NASCAR, that number will likely go down.
4agze 6:06PM (6/11/2008)
thats why i will never watch nascar, speed channel should be ashame on supporting it.
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Russell 8:09PM (6/11/2008)
Color me surprised.
Nascar is racist, No!!!
Tagg 9:18PM (6/11/2008)
They can stop F1 too then because Eccelstone refered to women as "appliences" when talking about how nice Danica should be dressed in white.
Maybe sexisim is ok?
The New York Knicks had the same charges leveled last summer and how many white boys do you see in the NBA?
VP 6:11PM (6/11/2008)
Why didn't you guys include the fact that Brian France denied that this woman ever filed any complaints. You guys should be presenting both sides of the arguements.
The good Ol' boys against whom she filed the complaints against are from the redneck states of Indiana, California and Oregon.
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guy 6:42PM (6/11/2008)
When the hell did California become a redneck state? Have you actually been to California? This is the state of extremes, rich people and poor people populate.
How can you believe in such a organization anyways? They can't even stay honest to the title of their company. STOCK cars?
DesiAuto 6:35PM (6/11/2008)
It seems she wasn't even allowed to file a complaint.
May be I am wrong.
Greg 7:18PM (6/11/2008)
@guy:
vp was using sarcasm. none of the states he mentioned are traditionally thought of as redneck states.
VP 7:32PM (6/11/2008)
Thank you Greg for that clarification. How much more obvious do i have to get to illustrate the fact that i was using sarcasm?
And Mr.Guy, the last time i checked this is still America and i will choose to believe in whoever i want. Not that it is any of your business but yes i have been California and five other countries. I also lived in the "third world" so yes i do know what states are "redneck".
RedLineTire 9:02PM (6/11/2008)
Uh, I know you were trying to be sarcastic, but Indiana has quite a history with the KKK: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noblesville,_Indiana