Keeping Track of “Diversity”
This is the first post in my “Diversity Watch” section. This is intended to keep track of the results of NASCAR’s “Drive for Diversity” program, particularly in the realm of religious diversity.
Although NASCAR’s intent is to create more opportunities for people of different cultural backgrounds and to get more minorities involved, it is my observation that NASCAR isn’t interested in promoting ideological diversity at all. Over the decades, the pre-race invocation has become the pulpit for the Christian Right, the evangelical movement at large and their conservative agenda. To me, the concept of “diversity” extends beyond skin color. As such, ideological diversity should be promoted through NASCAR either becoming more inclusive, or by dropping the public practice and televised coverage of the pre-race invocation altogether.
Each race weekend, I will do my best to document the details of the pre-race invocation in order to bring to light this ideological prejudice. When NASCAR decides to do away with this divisive practice or opens it up to other faiths (I’m lobbying for Rabbi Gold to do the invocation some day!), then I will cease. Until then, keep track of the hypocrisy here!
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