NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace said he was “offended” but not entirely shocked that there are an alarming number of people that have created conspiracy theories regarding the noose that was discovered in his garage at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday.
During an appearance on The View, Wallace said, “Simple-minded people like that, the ones that are afraid of change, they use everything in their power to defend what they stand up for instead of trying to listen and understand what’s going on.”
The 26-year-old also mentioned he has spoken with the FBI, which is investigating the incident.
Wallace continued:
“Systemic racism is a problem from every aspect of life. We have to work so hard to get that to change and we know it’s not going to change overnight,” he said. “This isn’t going to stop me from changing. This isn’t going to be something that just boils over, blows over and just sweep it under the rug and forget about. It’s a part of me.”
Wallace, who is NASCAR’s only full-time Black driver, has been a leading voice in the sport amid calls for justice following the death of George Floyd.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral Motor Sports stories via Google! Follow Us
“I said a couple weeks ago, that something changed inside me to be an activist. My mother said, ‘Did you ever believe you would be an activist?’ I said ‘No, not really.’ But I just felt in my heart that I needed to step up and be a leader in the forefront,” Wallace explained.
He continued, “I’m the only Black driver in NASCAR, it’s easier for me to talk about these matters because I go through some racism throughout my life. I don’t have it as hard as other people, but I still go through it so I can be a witness and be a part of it and speak on the matters and educate others.”
“That’s the biggest thing is that we as a sport put our messaging out there is educating people, listening and learning, helping people understand what other people are going through. We are very often too quick to listen and don’t give enough time to hear each other out,” Wallace explained. “Throughout all of this it will solidify where I stand and stand proud.”
