Comments on: F1 must take a stand against racism now (update 2)

By: davidsimsjr.com

davidsimsjr.com — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:45:16 +0000

I hope not to offend anyone by my opinion but racism has always been an issue in racing because racing in it’s essence imatates life. Please understand economic hardship prevents many minorities from competing in motorsports due to the sport being the most expensive form of competition on earth. Motorsports has mostly been a sport reserved for the financially priveleged.
I hope those reading this can understand racism isn’t just about hatred or black face, It’s about competition for survival. It was through conquest that developed a system of supremacy and thereby allowing priveledge. When faced with change people feel threatened. Lewis Hamilton represents change. If F1 wants to counter racisim they should develop a program that creates diversity in their sport. Ron Dennis was F1′s diversity program even though he didn’t know it. After Lewis is gone who will be next? Nobody whants to admit it but there is a need for a diversity program in F1 due to the economical hardship minority drivers are faced with! I speak firsthand because my son just as Lewis has a tremendous talent but without financial support he will never get the chance to show it.

By: angler

angler — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 03:51:54 +0000

Thank you, Keith.

Part of why I love this site so much is that you allow honest discussion, informed discussion, and also – passionate discussion. But, in the end … it’s not about censorship as much as it is about having the ability/morality to choose what you will and will not allow in your midst.

“Racism”, in its way, is something we all have equal responsibility to either allow or not allow in OUR midsts.

“I’m just sayin’”, grin …

By: Keith Collantine

Keith Collantine — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:44:08 +0000

I’ve had to remove some comments from here and other articles today. Can I remind everyone that personal attacks, swearing and racist remarks will be deleted or censored. See here for more information:

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/credits-and-contacts/f1-fanatic-comment-policy/

By: angler

angler — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 13:12:26 +0000

The “hooligans” in my country, the USA, are just as much hooligans as they are in any other country, Kun.

The point is not that there ARE these people … the point is that none of us should allow them in our midst.

That’s not a “country’s” job. There’s no “police state” on the planet which can stop a damned thing.

It’s OUR job. As EQUAL HUMAN BEINGS.

At some point, it’s time to stop standing “by” … it’s time to stand UP. Together.

By: Michael K

Michael K — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:09:12 +0000

Well, the main difference between Spain and other civilised countries (not only Britain) is that in other larger countries something is done against racism when it happens and this never used to happen in Spain. Now it looks like in this case there is some effort from the Spanish side, which is good to see.

By: Kun

Kun — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 09:11:02 +0000

oh, well, I see you didn’t like my comments about All britains are racists too. It’s the same with me when british media say all spanish people are racists.

And to talk about behavior before look at into your country and tell me if your hooligans have an ideal behavior.

Hamilton is a driver extremally un-fair, he is no a victim, he is an agitator, this is my true, he always telling bad things about the others… then these are the consequences.He is the only driver not estimated for his companions. Why?

By: angler

angler — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:50:47 +0000

Kun:

Wow. I can see that you like the use of the word “hate”, though in your case, it might not be racist in the sense that you despise Hamilton’s “mixed race”, or even that you despise him as a man … you seem to despise the Brits equally as much, and I’m quite certain that their population is as mixed as any other on the planet these days.

My suggestion would be to clarify your thoughts, rather than to make blanket statements about a country’s — or a RACE’s — behavior modules.

Surely, you would not like your countrymen and/or -women to be judged in this way for your own statements, above.

Just a thought.

By: KB

KB — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:32:51 +0000

Steven, Bernie is all about money and at the mo, Spain is where the money is to be made, LH has done nothing to endear himself to fans of Alonso(and I am not one), he constantly states(or the press states) this fact.

The few racists who were in Spain should be ashamed, but in general Hamilton has to expect the Alonso Spanish fans to wind him up! Its called rivalry.

You cant tar everyone with the same brush!

By: Steven Roy

Steven Roy — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:33:13 +0000

Kun,

Are you seriously saying one driver cannot criticise another’s behaviour or if he does he can expect to be treated like this.

The idea that it is OK just to hate someone based on the media’s representation of their views is pathetic and infantile. I really don’t understand how people can watch motor racing like it was football and only be interested in one driver. I cannot understand what motivates people to spend a day at a track hurling abuse at a driver for whatever motivation.

The people doing that are missing the whole point of going to a circuit. Spain gets more access to F1 than any other country and instead of race fans enjoying it there are morons who do nothing but abuse someone and espouse hate. You really need to think about what you are saying.

Make no mistake Bernie won’t hesitate to take the race somewhere else. Barcelona, Valencia and Jerez may be the most popular testing circuits now but that can change. Bernie happens to own a circuit in the south of France which is set up to re-create any kind of track layout. He would love to switch all testing there.

The sensible Spanish fans need to decide whether or not they are going to let these morons take away all the testing and both races or whether they are going to stand up and tell these people to shut up and get out.

People must have something better to do with their lives than hate racing drivers.

By: Kun

Kun — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 09:04:03 +0000

Hamilton is the public enemy of F1 spanish supporters.

If he continues to tell bad words about Alonso he’ll be insulted and more…
The Hamilton’s image is very poor in Spain, he is not welcome in Spain.

No racism, only hate.

And you, britains, shut up! your hooligans are the worst of the sport. You are not an example!

It’s just an opinion.