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."

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.

Jackson's next step? Challenging corporate team-sponsors to get them to finance minority drivers.

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 05:27 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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