Legacy Motor Club and NASCAR have suspended driver Noah Gragson. This comes after the driver allegedly “liked” a meme about George Floyd, the man who died in police custody in May 2020.
The death of Floyd resulted in mass riots around the country then went on for several months despite Covid and well into election season. Gragson apologized but it didn’t keep him his place to drive.
“I am disappointed in myself for my lack of attention and actions on social media. I understand the severity of this situation. I love and appreciate everyone. I try to treat everyone equally no matter who they are. I messed up plain and simple.”
I am disappointed in myself for my lack of attention and actions on social media.
I understand the severity of this situation.
I love and appreciate everyone.
I try to treat everyone equally no matter who they are. I messed up plain and simple. https://t.co/PCX6iMJxRF— Noah Gragson (@NoahGragson) August 5, 2023
It’s unclear to Media Right News which meme it was or what the meme said, but reports say screenshots exist.
Josh Berry will drive the #42 car on Sunday’s race in Michigan instead. No one knows if the suspension will be permanent or not.
While everyone is aware of the delicate nature of the George Floyd subject, it seems like “liking” a meme is something that many would not expect to have such a ripple effect, especially since it’s easy to accidentally like the wrong thing sometimes or perhaps like something you haven’t fully looked at.
We’re not saying this happened in this situation, but just that in a broader sense, ruining careers for liking memes seems to be a slippery slope. Many on X/Twitter has opinions:
What was the meme? I’ll like it
— Above the Best (@thedooberhead) August 5, 2023
Boycott NASCAR. Bud Light them.
— Eurasian Emperor (@empireenjoyer10) August 5, 2023
You didn’t mess up, Noah. Don’t apologize for anything.
— Nick Adams (Alpha Male) (@NickAdamsinUSA) August 5, 2023
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT:
I will NEVER watch NASCAR again for as long as I live.
First, they peddled Bubba Wallace’s lie about a noose being in his garage.
Now, they’re suspending Noah Gragson for liking a meme making fun of George Floyd.
Go woke, go broke!
— Nick Adams (Alpha Male) (@NickAdamsinUSA) August 5, 2023
Does he not have the right to free speech in this country any longer? It’s time for all those NASCAR fans to give NASCAR the Bud Lite treatment. Why should you support any entity that punishes someone for their free speech? Do these entities hire staff to comb every participant’s social media accounts?