Hamilton 'overcome with rage' at 'disregard for life'
- Published on 02 Jun 2020 19:01
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Lewis Hamilton has expressed his anger of the “blatant disregard for lives”, amid the large volume of protests that have sparked up all over the world.
Following the death of George Floyd last week, protests began in the United States as people demonstrated their feelings towards police treatment of black people.
Hamilton posted on Instagram on Sunday night for F1 to speak up on the issue and that he “stands alone” in expressing their support of equality.
Since Hamilton's initial post, more F1 drivers, including Charles Leclerc, Alexander Albon, Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly and George Russell have posted messages online, showing their backing for unity.
MORE: Mercedes: We stand with Hamilton following racial injustice comments
On Tuesday evening, Hamilton followed up with another message that reads: “This past week has been so dark. I have failed to keep hold of my emotions. I have felt so much anger, sadness and disbelief in what my eyes have seen.
“I am completely overcome with rage at the sight of such blatant disregard for the lives of our people. The injustice that we are seeing our brothers and sisters face all over the world time and time again is disgusting and MUST stop.
“So many people seem surprised, but to us, unfortunately, it is not surprising. Those of us who are black, brown or in between, see it every day and should not have to feel as though we were born guilty, don't belong, or fear for our lives based on the colour of our skin.
“Will Smith said it best, racism is not getting worse, it's being filmed. Only now that the world is so well equipped with cameras has this issue been able to come to light in such a big way.
Hamilton continued: “It is only when there are riots and screams for justice that the powers that be cave in and do something, but by then it is far too late and not enough has been done.
“It took hundreds of thousands of peoples complaints and buildings to burn before officials reacted and decided to arrest Derek Chauvin for murder, and that is sad.
“Unfortunately, America is not the only place where racism lives and we continue to fail as humans when we cannot stand up for what is right. Please do not sit in silence, no matter the colour of your skin.”
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Replies (14)
Login to replyNorbert
Posts: 108
That Lewis Hamilton is always getting to the front with his big lips, curly hair, and foreign opinions. Do you know we put nineteen drivers against him and he is still winning half the time! Is there nothing we can do to turn everything on its head and make his success seem like a failure? How do we get him to the back of the line where he should be? Anyone? Can no one come with anything? Not one single idea to stop him, from any of you people??
Pistonhead
Posts: 556
Norbert, I admit it's a little early in the morning here, but I think I find your comments totally disgraceful and you should retract them. Maybe you are joking, in which case it is poor form, but there is no place for this on this site. Shame on you.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
@Pistonhead I'm pretty worn out today, but I do believe he is sarchastic here (he is indirectly praising Hammy).
Pistonhead
Posts: 556
I hope so Calle ! If that it the case then I'm sorry for misinterpreting.
Norbert
Posts: 108
Oh sorry for not being more obvious. I was imagining that hitler rant from der untergang... so above is my imaginary "illuminati meeting" statement behind closed doors somewhere. Then after the rant you see, a hand goes up at the back row and someone haltingly suggests, "We could try a reverse grid sir..."
Norbert
Posts: 108
Oh yes, it’s joke. Sorry for not being more obvious. I was imagining the hitler rant meme from ‘der untergang’... It is pretend.
So imagine ... of course nothing like this was officially said. But imagine if it was thought? I know plenty of fans who have thought and said as much. “Make Hamilton start at the back – give him a penalty. Yes, hamstring him somehow.”
In reality, you don’t have to have a meeting to conspire because the desired end game is an already shared thought.
So now imagine the generals looking at each other, looking at the floor, shuffling their feet. Then one general haltingly suggests, "We could try a reverse grid ... "
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Sarcasm is pretty much lost on most people these days, especially when you cannot see or interpret how someone's comments were intended. That being said, putting him at the back of the grid might make for some great races.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Honestly, written sarchasm and/or irony can be really trick to both pull off and/or understand.
Norbert
Posts: 108
Yea, it’s poor form and sarcastic humour isn’t really a good place to start your humour from anyway.
I don’t think reverse-grid-qualifying was an idea to “get” Lewis! It’s just that the Champion goes to the back, and really that Champion could be anyone, it’s not necessarily about Lewis.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I actually disagree, I love irony and sarchasm, assuming they are timed well and put in a context where they are hard to interpret as anything but sarchasm and/or irony, which of course can be hard. I personally found your comment mildly amusing, but I am renowned as almost having a German's sense of humor, so...
Also I agree with your last point, and I agree that this isn't about Lewis himself as much as it is an attempt to spice up the show and varying who wins the races. I don't think reverse grid is the right way, but it would be a way.
Pimpelaars
Posts: 98
Hamilton?
Is that the same man who disapproved of his nephew wearing a dress?
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Right?!
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
“This past week has been so dark. I have failed to keep hold of my emotions. I have felt so much anger, sadness and disbelief in what my eyes have seen. I am completely overcome with rage at the sight of such blatant disregard for the lives of our people."
"I", "I","I", "me", "our people" - Sorry Ham but it's not about you. How much more divisive can he get than talking about "our people"?
I feel outraged as do most people, but just when I was starting to respect HAM he goes off on his own personal rants and going on like he is better than the rest of the paddock. And then other drivers having to defend themselves against his prejudice.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
This is where I wanna point out that Hammy has been doing that way of talking for years.