Flayed. Two days ago, through his Instagram account, Lewis Hamilton had uttered a resounding rage over the silence of the Formula 1 world following the death of George Floyd, a black man asphyxiated last week during a police check in the United States. “No one reacts in my discipline, Formula 1, which of course remains a white-dominated sport. I am one of the only people of color there, and obviously I am. I thought you would now see why this is happening and talk about it, but you cannot stand by our side. Just know that I know who you are and that I see you. ” An indignation that had awakened some, starting with his own stable, Mercedes, who had replied: "We are with you, Lewis. Tolerance is an elementary principle of our team and we enrich ourselves with diversity in all its forms. We welcome and encourage people of all races, cultures, religions, philosophy and lifestyles. We condemn all forms of discrimination and we are working together to accelerate change. ”
Other pilots had also posted messages following the warning shot by the six-time world champion, who spoke again this Wednesday in a long message. First, start by putting words on the feelings that inhabit it: “The past week has been very dark. I failed to keep control of my emotions. I felt so much anger, sadness and amazement at what my eyes saw. I completely overflow with rage at the sight of such a contempt for human life. The injustice we see towards our brothers and sisters around the world is disgusting and MUST stop. ”
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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 everyday and should not have to feel as though we were born guilty, don't belong, or fear for our lives based on the color 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. 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 color of your skin. Black Lives Matter. #blackouttuesday ✊
A publication shared by Lewis Hamilton (@lewishamilton) June 2, 2020 at 9:45 am PDT
And Hamilton to continue his criticism: "Many seemed surprised, but for us, unfortunately, this is not surprising. Those of us who are black or mixed see it every day and shouldn't feel like we were born guilty, have no place, or fear for our lives because of our skin color. Will Smith said it very well: racism doesn't get worse, it's just filmed. It is only now that the world is very well equipped with cameras, that this problem has been brought to light at this point. It is only when there are riots and cries for justice that the authorities feel concerned and do something, but it is far too late and insufficient. It took hundreds of thousands of people to complain and buildings to burn before the officials reacted and decided to arrest Derek Chauvin for murder, and that's sad. ” Before concluding: “Please do not sit in silence, no matter the color of your skin. Black Lives Matter. "
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