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Hamilton: Current fight against racism has brought back 'painful childhood memories'

Published on 06 Jun 2020 09:05
5
By: Fergal Walsh

Lewis Hamilton says the ongoing protests around the world speaking out against racism have brought up “painful memories” from his childhood.

In the last week, the six-time world champion has been vocal on social media, showing his support for equality in society and calling on other F1 paddock members to show their voice.

MORE: Hamilton 'overcome with rage' at 'disregard for life'

Taking to social media once again on Friday night, the Briton says the ongoing protests and videos online have reminded him of the difficulties he faced growing up.

“I’ve been reading every day to try to stay on top of everything that’s been happening in our fight against racism, and it’s brought back so many painful memories from my childhood,” he wrote.

“Vivid memories of the challenges I faced when I was a kid, as I’m sure many of you who have experienced racism or some sort of discrimination have faced.

“I have spoken so little about my personal experiences because I was taught to keep it in, don’t show weakness, kill them with love and beat them on the track.

“But when it was away from the track, I was bullied, beaten and the only way I could fight this was to learn to defend myself, so I went to karate. The negative psychological effects cannot be measured.”

MORE: Horner: Vettel/Hamilton partnership would give Mercedes a headache

Hamilton says that his motivation to drive and be successful goes “far deeper” than simply achieving success in a sport.

“This is why I drive the way I do, it is far deeper than just doing a sport, I’m still fighting. Thank God I had my father, a strong black figure who I could look up to, that I knew understood and would stand by my side no matter what.

“Not all of us have that but we need to stand together with those who may not have that hero to lean on and protect them. We must unite!”

The 36-year-old adds that he hopes 2020 will be the year that “systemic and social oppression of minorities within society” will see change and start to decline.

“I have wondered why 2020 seemed so doomed from the start but I’m starting to believe that 2020 may just be the most important year of our lives, where we can finally start to change the systemic and social oppression of minorities.

“We just want to live, have the same chances at education, at life and not have to fear walking down the street, or going to school, or walking into a store whatever it may be.

“We deserve this as much as anyone. Equality is paramount to our future, we cannot stop fighting this fight, I for one, will never give up!”

ajpennypacker

Posts: 2,475

Nobody ever disputed his right to say whatever he wants. Nobody should judge him for the way he feels. But I have a problem with him passing judgment of other people. Tacitly calling the F1 community racist for not feeling what he felt.

Also, I find it morally repugnant for you to try to lectur... [Read more]

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Jun 7 2020 - 04:40

F1 News Lewis Hamilton Mercedes

Replies (5)

essaouira311

Posts: 158
Exactly. That's why Lewis has every right to voice his opinion.
It is not out of hypocrisy as some "brillliant minds" said here.
Idiots.
Lewis is still a NIGGER for "the world" and he cannot forget it.
So, you whites, stop criticizing him.
He is the top champion.
And he is black.
- + 0
- Jun 6 2020 - 09:32
- xoya
  
  Posts: 583
  People are bad.
  They will always find a reason to hate someone for something.
  It can be race related; it can be fate related; it can be nation related.
  
  Education is the main reason and todays world is an Idiocracy (like the 2006 movie).
  
  I am not very welcome in Albania or Croatia because I am born and live in Serbia, even though 3 of 4 of my grandparents were Croatian and my mother is Croatian.
  
  I was bullied in school for being from the other part of town than rest of the kids and was poor.
  
  I support Hamilton for raising awareness but I really can't get past the fact that he whines so much.
  All the sympathies he gains for the way he rose from nowhere, in spite of his problems, get bellitled because of the way he presents that.
  
  Life is a struggle.
  + 0
  
  Jun 6 2020 - 09:56
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  Nobody ever disputed his right to say whatever he wants. Nobody should judge him for the way he feels. But I have a problem with him passing judgment of other people. Tacitly calling the F1 community racist for not feeling what he felt.
  
  Also, I find it morally repugnant for you to try to lecture people here about racism and drop the n-word in the same breath.
  
  I also call out the hypocrisy of celebrities getting behind this movement, protesting the wrongful death of one man, but who also can't be bothered to speak about genocides of other black brothers and sisters in Darfur. A place where unlike America, there isn't rule of law. If black lives matter, then we should really care about a place where it's not isolated incidents, but deliberate acts of genocide that destroy black lives every day.
  + 4
  
  Jun 7 2020 - 04:40
- Dert38
  
  Posts: 377
  omg racist
  + 0
  
  Jun 7 2020 - 16:52
- Ram Samartha
  
  Posts: 1,172
  "I support Hamilton for raising awareness but I really can't get past the fact that he whines so much."
  "I have a problem with him passing judgment of other people.:"
  "Also, I find it morally repugnant for you to try to lecture people here about racism and drop the n-word in the same breath."
  "I also call out the hypocrisy of celebrities getting behind this movement, protesting the wrongful death of one man, but who also can't be bothered to speak about genocides of other black brothers and sisters in Darfur" or n Burkina Faso where 850,000 people have been displaced in the last year during a global pandemic because of violence and conflict. Where are the protests about that? Have you even heard of it?
  "we should really care about a place where it's not isolated incidents, but deliberate acts of genocide that destroy black lives every day.
  Thanks AJPP..
  Essaouira311, do you know what opinions are like? Everybody has one. Using the N word in a public forum, and what, are you a racist against whites? You don't know the colour of our skin, nor does it matter. I haven't seen any racist comments on this sites (except maybe yours). Calling out hypocrisy is not racism brother.
  + 1
  
  Jun 8 2020 - 09:09