NASCAR bans the Confederate flag from all races in their latest move to support racial equality and social justice

Terry Renna/AP Images

• In an unprecedented move, NASCAR has banned confederate flags from all of its races.

• The league has a long history of condoning and, at times, outright supporting the flying of the outdated, racist symbol that serves as a relic of the United States' original sin.

• NASCAR's official statement explained that the presence of the flag "runs contrary to our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans, our competitors, and our industry."

• Some fans have already vowed to boycott the league over its stance on this issue and others relating to race in America.

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NASCAR is taking unprecedented measures in its efforts to support recent racial equality and social justice movements.

The premier stock racing league will ban the presence of the confederate flag at all of its races, bucking its long history of condoning and, at times, outright supporting the flying of the outdated, racist symbol that serves as a relic of the United States' original sin.

Associated Press

In an official statement shared on NASCAR's Twitter account Wednesday, the league said that the presence of the flag "runs contrary to our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans, our competitors, and our industry."

"The display of the confederate flag will be prohibited from all NASCAR events and properties," NASCAR added.

The move comes as Americans grapple with the death of George Floyd — a black man who was killed by Minneapolis police officers after they kneeled on his neck during his arrest for allegedly using a fake $20 bill. Floyd's killing has incited protests in cities across the nation and prompted conversations about race relations in America in nearly every industry — including the world of sports.

NASCAR has deep Southern roots and, arguably, more to reckon with on this front than other domestic sports leagues. The Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway — one of the most prominent races on the circuit — was once an ode to the confederacy. And even though the league attempted to dissuade fans from flying the flag by offering to swap it out at Daytona, arguably its most famous race, NASCAR officials had stopped short of an outright ban up until this point.

Some NASCAR fans have already vowed to boycott the league over its most recent stance on the confederate flag and others relating to race in America. Many of the racing body's supporters believe NASCAR should refrain from political gestures of any variety, and some have taken to the internet to voice that opinion.

Others applauded the league's stance:

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