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Originally Posted by Bette Duckie, you are in the racing business. Is this sort of thing common at the tracks? |
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Originally Posted by SpaceCadet I'd be interested in the answer to that, too. |
Don't know which you want me to comment one: discrimination or sexual harrassment; so pardon me if I address the wrong one as I see them as the same thing.
First, let me say that discrimination exists in all cultures, in all countries and in all civilizations and will never go away, no matter how much you want it to nor how many laws are passed, nor heads chopped off. Doesn't make it right, it just is the nature of the human beast.
We all do it, even if we don't think we are: the smelly panhandler, the drunken bum, the wife beater, the extortionist, the nieghborhood bully, the "too sweet" debutante, the politician, the "divorcee", the workaholic, the loudmouth, the preacher/priest/rabbi/holy man, and the in/out-laws. Each of these have been discriminated against by you and me. If you naturally like someone, you will afford them more of your self and the things you "control" than those you don't like. That's discrimination. Doesn't make it right, it just is the nature of the human beast.
We all tend to congregate into groups of like thoughts, looks, passtimes and social standings. Often we are reluctant to admit newcomers into our "circle", unless they pass the "likeness" test we have in our head.
So, how does this relate to local/regional/national/international racing? Sorry, but it's exactly the same.
- Nobody likes a cheater, but everyone will cheat at one time or another. Maybe it won't be a big thing, but will still be against the rules.
- Some people "hate" winners .. mostly because they haven't won, or their "favorite" didn't.
- Many people feel the back markers shouldn't be allowed on the track 'cause they're obstacles their "favorite" has to negotiate.
- Often times non-Caucasian and non-Hispanic and non-male drivers must perform better than their Caucasian/Hispanic/male counterparts to be accepted as anything more than a moving obstacle. Turns out Asian male drivers are beginning to gain acceptance in the upper echelons, but not many nor regularly.
As in every society (racing is a society, just as any other) there are "leaders" and "followers". The events and the people who populate the various parts of the events (fans, competitors, regulators and vendors) all have unwritten rules about those who are allowed to participate in the event and/or the part of the event. The "leaders" set the tone, the "followers" enforce the status quo. Oftentimes this means there are one or more individuals who are not "welcome" to participate and, thus, discriminated against in one form or another. Whether it's a Black driver, a female Caucasian crew chief or an Asian female promoter makes no difference...they aren't accepted into the "group" until they prove their abilities, under fire, and show themselves, at the very least, superior to the "average" member of the "pack".
Wendall Scott was accepted by the drivers .. at least most of them. Many of the teams "helped" him by giving him their cast-offs (used tires, parts, etc.) which allowed him to compete on his severly limited budget. Black spectators were rare also, which also hampered his efforts. When he finally won his Cup race, it was "protested", NASCAR crowned another the victor in victory lane, and a some time later, quietly gave Scott credit for the victory. That was possible because TV was not a standard part of NASCAR events. Therefore, against NASCAR's "decree" stood only spectator opinion of the actual outcome.
Doesn't make it right, it just is the nature of the human beast.