Racism within CCS :(

[ccsracer26]

There are many good people working for CCS/Clearchannel that make our passion for racing a possibility every race weekend and in between, and who are competent, pleasant, and good people.  My experiences so far, with the exception of minor frustrations with rules/regs/fees/etc. ( the stuff that most others also bitch about), has been great and I really enjoy the cheerful and nice people that put on each weekend.  I am absolutely not stating, expressly or impliedly, that this is an organic problem or that it is rampant, but I was really disturbed by some comments made to me last weekend at Gingerman by a CCS staff member.

While myself and a fellow racer were making small talk on Friday afternoon to this person, who will remain nameless, I asked if the drive to the track was nice and where he/she was staying.  He/she said they were "stuck" in Benton Harbor, to which I asked if it was close and if it was a nice little lake town like South Haven.  The response given to both myself and my fellow racing friend in the conversation was almost word for word, "NO, its full of god damn f*&king nigg*&!s." 

I am not black, but immigrated here at a young age from Ireland and am very proud to be a US citizen and of what our country represents...freedom of expression but equality among all races, religions, sex, etc.  I would think it fair to say that I hate racists more than racists hate those of a differnt ethnicity and am really shocked by the fact that this type of narrow minded person could be affiliated with CCS/Clearchannel, and more so that they would make such a durogatory statement to someone they barely know.  If this person is so bigoted to say this out loud to two people they barely know, how could this possibly be a personal belief that they do not allow to effect they way they treat others in the course of their job working within CCS? 

I am appauled, outraged and shocked about this comment and am struggling with what, if anything, to about it.  I have once before heard comments similar to this from this person earlier this year and I am wondering if others have had a similar experience from anyone in CCS/Clearchannel?  I doubt anything will change this persons bigoted opinions, but they certainly should have no place in CCS! Should I bring it to the attention of CCS/Clearchannel?

Thoughts, experiences, opinions? Thanks in advance

[Super Dave]

I guess, the first thing to bring you up to speed on is that Clear Channel Entertainment no longer owns Championship Cup Series.

Second, I don't think an individual's response about something is representative of Championship Cup Series.

Third, well, I wasn't there.  So, it might have been someone joking.  Should you talk to Kevin Elliott?  Might be worth talking to him about the situation. 

[ccsracer26]

Thanks for the info that Clear Channel doesnt own CCS anymore and for your response. 

As I think I clearly said as a caveat in my post, I am not imputing this to the entire organization. I have had good experiences with mostly everything else.  However, this person was absolutely not joking, I have never heard him joke about anything before,  and he has made other blatantly racist comments once before.   

[spyderchick]

I'd like to say that I'm sorry that you had to hear such nonsense from any official. Most are pleasant and helpful, and have a damn difficult job to do.

What to do about the slurs? Contact Kevin Elliott directly, and tell him that you take offense, and do name the official to him. (I applaud you for keeping it to yourself on this public forum.)

I'm not surprised to hear of people (even in this day and age) who think that hate is a value. However, when we encounter folks who talk like that, we need to act, either by confronting them directly, or handling it in a less direct manner.

[Jeff]

CCS officials are no different from anyone else.  If they do something that doesn't sit well with you, bring it up to the organization.  

There are narrow minded people everywhere and people say some REAL stupid things from time to time (myself included).

I guess I'd tell you to bring it up to Kevin if you're concerned.  Or simply remark back to the individual that you don't appreciate comments like that.  Generally an immediate confrontation will put a person in check.

On a final note, if the only thing you can't tolerate is intolerence, where does that leave you?  It doesn't mean you have to agree with them though...

[ccsracer26]

If my only gripe was with the fact that this person held certain beliefs then I would be a hypocrit.  My issue is that this person is acting in an official capacity in his job with CCS when at a race weekend with his CCS shirt and badge.  He should have freedom to hold any belief he has and express it if he likes on his own time....not at work.  I also would suspect, as I said in my post, that someone who doesnt have a problem with blurting out comments like this to people he/she barely knows while on the job, probably wouldnt seperate his prejudices from his work, which would likely affect others who encounter this person.  I posted to see if people had had similar experiences and/or been effected by this (i.e. perceived prejudice against themselves when encoutering this).

[Woofentino Pugrossi]

Generally if someone said that directly to me, I would just ask them if their sheet was in the dry cleaners. Usually that will just get a strange look from them when they finally put 2 and 2 together. BUT in this case, a business employee shouldnt be talking to a customer with that language. I had to bite my tongue MANY times when I worked in Madison when I had my customers start blaming Pres Bush/Republicans for every freaking problem that Madison had. Yep its their fault that teh Beltline is backed up betweeen 3:30 and 6pm. :rolleyes:

Email Kevin. Let him know so he can deal with the situation.

Another thing to consider is the age of the offender. The older generations (Baby Boomers) grew up with that speech as normal. Doesnt excuse them using it at all, but you do have to understand thats the way they may have grown up. Janesville is still considered a lilly white town for example. We still have the Klueless Kluck Klowns and the rest of the white supremist morons wandering around the city with their bullshit.

[Jeff]

Sorry Ryan, I made my post without realizing this was on the job, at the track.  For whatever reason I thought it was a phone conversation.

[Super Dave]

I posted to see if people had had similar experiences and/or been effected by this (i.e. perceived prejudice against themselves when encoutering this).

I haven't had this experience with anyone at CCS, so I'm curious who it was...not that I'm looking to find out.

[funsizeracing]

I've had to deal with one offical's discrimination and then that person sharing those opinion with other racers.  I  was there to hear the official and when I called that person on it they just laughed and seemed quite pleased.  It's not the whole organization.  In fact its just that one official.  It's a shame when everyone else is so great that one person would ruin it.  I guess if I really cared that much I wouldn't be racing.  Just my two cents.

[CCS]

Even though we are not affiliated with Clear Channel/Live Nation any longer, we retain the same dim outlook on this kind of behavior.

Neither Nancy nor myself will tolerate this behavior by anyone representing our company, so rest assured this problem will be addressed and corrected or the person will no longer be employed by CCS/ASRA.

[spyderchick]

Thanks for the thoughtful reply, Kevin. I've never had any problem with the CCS people I've dealt with, so I'm thinking this is an isolated event.