Author Topic: Sports as a platform for protest  (Read 1720 times)

90sRetroFan

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Re: Sports as a platform for protest
« on: July 13, 2020, 01:04:41 pm »
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/motorsports/news/lewis-hamilton-anti-racism-messages/1lrovznkmhgqa1mgiyaj14l84d

Quote
Hamilton, the circuit's only Black driver, first took a knee prior to the competition's return last week amid the coronavirus pandemic. While Hamilton kneeled, six drivers decided to stand. Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, Kimi Räikkönen, Carlos Sainz Jr. Daniil Kvyat and Antonio Giovinazzi were those who remained standing.

Sunday showed a repeat of those actions, with drivers continuing to stand alongside a kneeling Hamilton.

"The drivers spoke after the drivers' briefing this weekend about what we intended to do and some were asking, 'Why do we have to continue to do this?'," Hamilton said via AFP News. "Some felt like once was enough last week.

"I just had to encourage them that racism is here, going to be here and probably be here longer than our time here — and people of color, who are subject to racism, don't have time to take a moment to protest and that be it. We've really got to think, as a sport, what we can do because those are nice signs, but passion is needed."

While some drivers — such as LeClerc and Verstappen — who didn't take a knee prior to the Syrian GP explained their actions (or lack thereof), there is more than a bit of a disconnect among Hamilton and some of F1.

While Hamilton is calling for a better anti-racism focus, Sunday's broadcast of the Syrian GP — a race which Hamilton won comfortably — drew heavy criticism from viewers, when cameras cut away from the pre-match gesture and messages of anti-racism.

https://twitter.com/theamzi/status/1282299210260459521