Hamilton's taking action: "Remove these racist symbols from slave traders''

Lewis Hamilton has been heard clearly on social media in recent weeks. The British Formula 1 driver was already clearly in action for George Floyd, but now also speaks out on Instagram about images of slave-drivers.

During a demonstration in Bristol, England, activists pulled Edward Colston's statue from its pedestal and threw it into the water. Colston was a businessman and politician in the seventeenth century, who made a lot of money in his time from the slave trade. The statue of him was taken down in protest by the #blacklivesmatter demonstrators.

Hamilton in action

"Our country honored a man who sold African slaves. All statues of racist men making money on people's backs should be demolished. I challenge rulers around the world to make these changes and peacefully remove these racist symbols,'' Hamilton says on his Instagramaccount.

Hamilton received a lot of acclaim last week, when he looked to the Formula 1 world that he was once again alone in his fight against racism. Hamilton called Formula 1 'a white dominated sport' and was annoyed that no one helped him. After his call, many drivers responded to his request and they too showed their support in the fight against racism.

Louder for those at the back @LewisHamilton pic.twitter.com/rtklbjaLAA

— Luke Smith (@LukeSmithF1) June 8, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

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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. 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. 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! 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! #blacklivesmatter #endracism #nevergiveup #wewinandwelosetogether

Een bericht gedeeld door Lewis Hamilton (@lewishamilton) op 5 Jun 2020 om 2:18 (PDT)