It is abhorrent that a man must be subjected to this racist act at his workplace. Bubba Wallace, the only African American driver in the NASCAR Cup series, had a noose placed in his garage on the premises of Talladega Superspeedway. While this is terrible act, this highlights why it is necessary for Bubba Wallace to continue the actions that preceded and potentially prompted this act. Wallace, by simply being a Black male in racing breaks the mold, and he's recently lifted his voice in relation to the Black Lives Matter movement. He's been seen photographed donning a Black Lives Matter shirt prior to races and even had a special paint job on his vehicle for his last race. Wallace’s unapologetic showing of his support for racial equality has obviously rubbed an individual the wrong way and this behavior in opposition is despicable.
While there is no place for this in any sport or walk of life, this action showcases the racial tension that this country is currently experiencing and has experienced since it's inception. While many are raising their voices, protesting, and pleading for equality, others are trying to continue the denial of basic rights. Rather than join the fight for rights, this individual sent a clear signal in an attempt to strike fear into the team of Bubba Wallace. However, these actions only highlight that the voices of the oppressed need to be heard and that the inequities they speak of rear their ugly head in the actions of people like the perpetrator who left this noose in the garage of Wallace.
What comes from though is the support of those around the sport and across the spectrum. NASCAR has already rallied around Wallace and other athletes have voiced their support for the driver. These acts only highlight the need for change. So, while they are horrible in nature, they continue to shed light on how far we as a people need to go to reach the equality that everyone deserves. I hope that whoever committed this act understands they are only strengthening the movement for change. The movement is here and isn't stopping anytime soon.