auto racing

Hamilton: F1 'duty bound' to raise awareness of human rights

9 Comments
By JEROME PUGMIRE

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9 Comments
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In 1990 I drew attention to athletes who by their actions supported Apartheid in South Africa. I officially protesting them. No action was taken against them but I was banned the following year. I think for Lewis Hamilton to attend these events and draw attention to the issues is far more likely to bring change than not attending. Back in 1990 both the IAAF and the United Nations forbade any athletes from competing in South Africa or any event to allow South Africans to compete. At the moment there are no similar international restrictions that I know of on competing in certain countries regarding their human rights.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Politely telling someone they are racist is actually more then [sic] enough !"

Actually, no; NOT 'then enough' as there is NO 'then enough', grammatically speaking...

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

If Hamilton REALLY wants to raise awareness, he would refuse to race in those countries

Politely telling someone they are racist is actually more then enough ! There is no need for anything drastic and counter productive. We saw how the media destroyed Osaka Naomi's aproach.

These things are very political, complex and take time. He is doing an excellent job.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Matt, he could violate the contract and pay the penalties, if any. Besides , would his sponsors REALLY sue him over this? It would be a terrible PR blunder to do so. Imagine the headlines, "Nike sues BIPOC driver over human rights protest". Plus, he can afford it as I said.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

If Hamilton REALLY wants to raise awareness, he would refuse to race in those countries.

Contract! He is under contract to race at all venues. But, he can use his celebrity status to raise awareness. Nothing wrong with that.

I prefer watching him race. Looking forward to the last races. Usually it is all over by now. Nice to have some uncertainty for a change!

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Agreed. If Hamilton REALLY wants to raise awareness, he would refuse to race in those countries. Yeah, it might cost him a buck or two, but he can afford it- his net worth is somewhere north of $200 million. Otherwise, he is just another celebrity trying to get publicity for being 'woke' and 'aware' without it actually having a cost.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Since when has human rights mattered to the colonizing British Empire? Only after nations that they abused gave them the sack.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Just drive the car, don’t mix sports with politics please all the time!

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Walk the walk then mate.

You insisted that all the drivers take the knee for BLM , so what are you going to do for human rights ?

1 ( +8 / -7 )

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