Your Black World reports
Several NASCAR drivers have decided to pass on the chance to meet with President Obama, leading some to wonder if they are trying to make a statement. Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart have all cited “scheduling conflicts” regarding why they can’t meet with the president. So far, only Busch has said that the announcement was incorrect and that he does plan to meet with the president. The rest of the drivers haven’t done a thing to refute the story.
“IMO… regardless of political views, when POTUS sends an invite and wants to honor you at the White House, you accept. #respect,” Jimmie Johnson said on Twitter.
Another driver, Jeff Burton, added his own tweet: “The presidency deserves respect and we are all Americans. I will be there!”
One of the dynamics of the discussion is that the NASCAR fan base leans toward those who are more conservative, and also people who are often accused of racism. NASCAR itself has had trouble diversifying it’s drivers and fan base. Each driver issued his own statement to try to clarify why they are choosing not to meet with President Obama:
Kevin Harvick: “This time of year, there’s a lot going on and most everything that we do is scheduled months in advance. I’ve been to the White House before, and it’s an honor just to go the White House and be in the Oval Office. … I understand the honor and things, just with everything we have going right now, there’s just no way possible to reschedule the things we got going next week.” He declined to be more specific, saying that it’s not public business.
Greg Biffle: Committed to a major 3M sponsor event in Minnesota, Biffle tried to adjust his schedule but could not: “I called [3M] and talked to them about the invitation, and this was very important to them. The function is designed around me and they really can’t have it if I can’t go. Unfortunately, the date conflicts with the invitation.” Biffle noted that there is no political component to his decision; he has a photo of himself shaking hands with Obama hanging in his home, and he said he’s “disgusted” by people who suggest that he “rejected” the invitation.
Kurt Busch: “I will be at the White House … Who would turn down the opportunity?” Busch indicated that he had to adjust his 2012 photo shoot to accommodate the visit, and was not certain how his name was included on the initial press release.
Carl Edwards: Declined public comment on the issue, telling Yahoo! Sports through a spokesman that he had personal commitments. However, Edwards’ bona fides with the Obama administration are not in doubt, as he’s a member of the President’s Council on Fitness.
Tony Stewart: “We have an obligation we have to fulfill. I’ve enjoyed every trip I’ve that I’ve been invited … There’s a lot of people who would like the opportunity. If I could have rescheduled, I would be there in a heartbeat.” He didn’t specify the obligation.
“I don’t think it’s fair to the guys who said they could go, or the guys who said they couldn’t go, to make it political,” Burton said on Friday. “If the president of the United states invited NASCAR to the White House to honor NASCAR , that is an honor whether you agree with policy or not … you can have respect for the presidency and still disagree with it. Ten years ago, after 9/11, this country was unified, this country was together. Today, we’re talking why somebody is or isn’t going to the White House. And we wonder why the country’s in trouble. We’re blaming the people in Washington. Maybe we need to look in the damn mirror.”
Your Black Politics 
This disgusting climate of disrespecting this President needs to stop. Republicans thinks it’s okay to disrespect this President and the Office, so as far as I’m concerned when they hold that office I hope they’ll won’t be expecting any respect, because they sure shouldn’t get any at all.
I think a better heading for this article would be (Several NASCAR Drivers Explain Why They Can Not Meet With The President)
But that would NOT make the President look bad
One thing that is consistent at this site is everything is because of racism. Obama has disrespected black people for almost three years, with us having the highest unempolyment in the nation. Blacks are made welfare slaves to be used only for votes. If Obama was white and whites had the highest unempolyment in the nation, bad schools, illegals taking over their communities, and violence all around them, they would not hesitate getting rid of him. Blacks sit and watch this man destroy us as a people and say it is alright. No wonder many of us stay slaves so long.
I totally agree. I dranked the Obama cool aid also. But, guess what …..I pissed it all out now I’m ready for some action. He is the most powerful man in the world, (supposedly). HE needs to take some action!
I’m no fan of President Obama’s lack of respect of black voters but to imply that he is somehow the reason all these issues exist with black people is ridiculous. These problems existed before he got elected. You sound like some white idiot teabag conservative making that sort of statement.
Yes, the liberal politicians have one half on welfare & the other half paying for it. Slavery for both groups.
You are just stupid!!
You are just ??? Pray!!
Leroy has to be a “Republican Plant” period.
Black people don’t fall for this Republican Plant. Republicans have plants all over the internet, especially on Blogs that don’t support the Republican Party.
Funny, Democrats simply don’t spend time pretending to be Republicans on their blogs.
Never assume you know who’s blogging or the ethnicity of that person.
President Obama has done nothing to Disrespect the Black Community and has continually let the world know he’s proud to be a Black Man.
So,,, whatever that nothing new! He a black man. the most hated man on earth. is the BLACK MAN. THAT WHY WE SHOULD LOVE OURSELVES FIRST….Stop worrying about Caucasian not liking us. @ Leroy Jr Obama is not the disrespectful one here. Blacks have been disrespecting them selves long before Obama was a house whole name. So stop with the blame game. Black have always been on the highest unemployment list as long as I been alive. in the 1950, 1960, 1970 and on and on. “Welfare Slaves” are black, white and as you call them Illegal immigration it not just a black thing. If black would study their history more and do for self, There would be no high unemployment you would make jobs. there would be no bad schools if you teach about how great black people where and still are. As far as illegal immigration you gave them your stores in the communities. So stop hating on the ones that want to have something in life. “Yes” there violence all around us more because we think less of are us. We as a people sit around and watch us destroy us. Not Pres Obama, these condition where here long before he was President so stop getting it twisted my brother. I DON’T LIKE EVERYTHING THE PRES DO, LIKE THE WAR IN LIBYA. My question to you is what have you done for your people today?
I take it you are White??
Amen sister Rita. You wrote noting but the truth to Leroy Avery Jr. He and so many other black folks should not forget our history because if you do, you are doomed to repeat it. Just remember white folks have taken off the sheets and put on suits and its business as usual for them to keep black folks down. (drugs and guns in our neighborhoods, unemployment and lack of eduation) people wake up.
bj
You are not part of my history, talking like that!!
Thank you Rita for bringing the truth to light. People can say what they think President Obama should do, but when you walk a mile in his shoes the story will change!! The President is up against Racism, Hate, People wanting to see him fail etc. Mr Leroy i would love to see how you would fair as a Black President!
cc
One fact about racism, it’s definitely hereditary. Things have changed in America, but racism will always exists.omg when will this country finally realizes that the more we think of democracy the less we practice it. [more to come just settling my brain.]
People seem to forget that Obama took over from where Bush left off. HE is the one who caused the bulk of this mess, but of course, since he’s gone, it’s “Blame the Black Man” time. What happened to the public outrage in the elections last year when all of those Republicans got elected into office–some of the very same people who are blocking the President from getting anything done–threatening government shutdowns and holding the economy hostage and dragging this out into another election year because they think that it will help their side. For some reason, people think that because they came out and voted once back in 2008, that was all that needed to be done and all of the country’s problems would just disappear Somehow, President Obama is supposed to fix a mess that was 20 years in the making in 4 years. He may have promised change, but not an miracle. I don’t agree with everything he does, but the man has accomplished a lot in the short length of time he has been in office. He has faced more opposition from his own party than any other president in history, and he’s also the scapegoat for everything that he inherited–like he made this mess. It’s sad, it really is, how he’s expected to be all things to all people, but that gives no excuse to disrespect him like that. President Bush was a complete moron, but I don’t think that he ever went through this level of public ignorance. Let’s see what happens if we get a Tea Party president in office–after all, they REALLY have our best interests at heart….**Rolls Eyes** SMH