[usa4eva]

I was wondering what you guys thought of this, I mean im an open minded guy, im not a racist, but to wake up one morning and decide to do that, the woman to the side is just plain scary lol, look at her

jeering at a soccer match is bad, but this just utter hatred, i dont know where it comes from, geez a black guy must have really hurt there feelings lol

[molecular]

you sure iot got anythinn to do with blasck man

[Captain.Remy]

I read that about Lewis Hamilton....no comment.

[Dan_]

What a bunch of ignorant fools.

[Dr43%er]

Of course you have to see it from their point of view. There he is, a black, foreign man in their country, taking all their motor racing jobs. They have a point.

There, I feel like I fit in here now.

[Captain.Remy]

Message original : Dr43%er
Of course you have to see it from their point of view. There he is, a black, foreign man in their country, taking all their motor racing jobs. They have a point.

There, I feel like I fit in here now.

I don't agree, you can't do that for jealousy, it's stupid. They are just ignorant fools as Dan said.

[Dr43%er]

It was sarcasm on my part Remy.

[Captain.Remy]

Message original : Dr43%er
It was sarcasm on my point Remy.

I much prefer that lol I was quite scared.

[Dr43%er]

I was having a bit of a pop at some of the members here.

[usa4eva]

i think spanish people are like that becuase they wanna show there affiliation to northern europeans, i mean indo-europeans have always been as kisser right lol

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by Dr43%er
I was having a bit of a pop at some of the members here.

I agree. There are some dodgy views spouted on this forum.

I'm surprised it took them so long to realise he was black. This is why Lewis is one of the most important sporting icons that there has ever been. His race gives him the ability transcend cultures and to inspire more disadvantaged black kids . If he can rise above all this and deliver on the track - and it looks like he can - he's going to show up these idiots for the bigots that they are and, in the process, become the biggest World sporting icon there has ever been.

[Tom]

Originally posted by GiRTh

I agree. There are some dodgy views spouted on this forum.

I'm surprised it took them so long to realise he was black. This is why Lewis is one of the most important sporting icons that there has ever been. His race gives him the ability transcend cultures and to inspire more disadvantaged black kids . If he can rise above all this and deliver on the track - and it looks like he can - he's going to show up these idiots for the bigots that they are and, in the process, become the biggest World sporting icon there has ever been.

I would say he is a modern day sporting icon, but I wouldn't go as far to say he is one of the best in history.

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by Tom_

I would say he is a modern day sporting icon, but I wouldn't go as far to say he is one of the best in history.

He will be if he's succesfull and its all down to his race.

[Shaun]

Race...ing ability.

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by Shaun
Race...ing ability.

That too. But I dont see other drivers being taunted like he is. There are Chinese, Japanese and Indian drivers but I dont see them being subjected to this. Why do you think that is so?

[Tom]

I still don't think hes an icon because of racist abuse. Its not as though he is abused all the time. Its hardly even happened to him. Like you say, there are Chinese, Japanese and Indian drivers who aren't subject to the abuse. These aren't icons and I doubt they would be if they were subject to racial abuse.

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by Tom_
I still don't think hes an icon because of racist abuse. Its not as though he is abused all the time. Its hardly even happened to him. Like you say, there are Chinese, Japanese and Indian drivers who aren't subject to the abuse. These aren't icons and I doubt they would be if they were subject to racial abuse.

I think you've missed my point. He's not an icon because of the racist abuse, he WILL be an icon because he'll transcend cultural barriers.

[Matt10k]

I’m not sure an F1 driver will have much of an impact to ‘transcend cultural barriers’, it’s a pretty dull and unfashionable sport these days. And it’s no big deal anymore to have a black guy in involved in F1 or anything. See, I don’t think people notice so much between black and white. Maybe I just speak for myself but it’s not the first thing I notice about a person.

Sure there’s still a bit of tension between races with some people but this is hardly 1950’s America and he’s just a race driver, he’s no Martin Luther King, Jr…

Whoever those Spanish people were, they were obviously a bit backward. Tbh, I think the uk is ahead of countries like Spain anyway when it comes to acceptance of other cultures. Spain is in fact still a pretty racist country imo...

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by Matt10k
I’m not sure an F1 driver will have much of an impact to ‘transcend cultural barriers’, it’s a pretty dull and unfashionable sport these days. And it’s no big deal anymore to have a black guy in involved in F1 or anything.

No big deal eh? Then tell me why is this necessary?

F1 to launch anti racism campaign

F1 is a sport where black people have predominantly not done well. In such sports there is ALWAYS an interest in a world class black athlete and at some point their race is bought into the equation and their views on race are questionsed and challenged. With the Williams sisters it was the fact that their father does not believe in integration with Tiger Woods it was the fact that he did not acknowledge himself as black. A successful black driver in F1 is huge deal and Lewis Hamilton WILL transcend cultural barriers as have the other examples I gave.

[Matt10k]

The link you posted says he was targeted in ‘Barcelona‘. Lewis isn’t going to be particularly famous there anyway and I as I said, I still think Spain is quite a racist country. I don’t think it’s a big deal here in the uk, not at all. Like the thread says, ‘Spanish racists’. You wouldn’t get people doing that here.

And what exactly do you mean by ‘transcend cultural barriers’? F1 isn’t one of those sports like tennis that people can just go and train at down their local sports centre! It’s a pretty niche area to go into. I don’t think it’s a big deal because I don’t see how it’s a big deal, he’s hardly going to inspire thousands of black kids to get into F1. As I said, it’s hardly tennis or football, it’s very difficult to get into. The fact there aren’t many black people in F1 is probably just chance. There aren't many drivers in F1 fullstop! Not like football where we have hundreds of teams and thousands of local teams nationwide.

The fact it isn't a big deal here is mirrored when you look at the amount of black athletes we have in other areas, such as footballers, basketball players etc... Sod what a few Spanish people in Barcelona think.

[GiRTh]

I dont think we can just 'sod' what a few Spanish do. This problem is not just a Spanish problem. I'd like to know why the Chinese and Indian drivers have never received this type of abuse?

The fact that F1 is a niche sport is neither here nor there. Golf is a niche sport but Tiger Woods has managed to transcend cultural barriers by being the first black golf superstar. I know from personal experience that there are many more black people watching golf just because of Tiger Woods suceess.

The example you give of black athletes in football and the conclusion that it in some way balances things out is a very interesting one. Why do black people atain success in sports like boxing, basketball and football? You're right its because there are many more football, boxing and basketball facilities but also there are these facilities in inner city areas where disadvantaged blacks are still the predominant population. That is not really a point you can use in your stance as it shows there is still a lack of progress within the black community which can be argued is due to racism. If you took the time to look into it, you find the lack of blacks in F1 is not due to chance at all.

I find it interesting you're happy to ignore this simply because it happened abroad. Surely the fact that it was a Brit who received the abuse would be enough for you to show more of an interest in it. There should be an inquest in to this; I note that Bernie Ecclestone is busy trying to play the incident down. It is a disgrace that the first potential black F1 world champions has been subjected to this kind of abuse but I know it's going to happen again. Maybe you wont be so apathetic next time.

[Matt10k]

I think I can sod what a few Spanish racists think if I want but you can choose to dwell on it if you want. Inquest? don’t be daft, it’s just a few idiots. Abuse and heckling is just as bad whether it happens to be racist or none racist. Look at all the sh*t beckham got (a hell of a lot more than Hamilton) and he took it on the chin.

Also, I don’t think black kids only get into football, boxing, basketball etc… because they are disadvantaged, that is ridiculous.

I also disagree that golf is a niche sport comparable to F1. It’s quite popular and accessible. Anyone can go out and play golf, football, tennis. You can’t just hop into an F1 car and become an F1 driver! Didn’t you see that that is what I was saying? It’s not only niche, it’s very difficult to get into. There’s only a handful of drivers as it is. So the fact there aren’t many black drivers is not an issue at all, I DO happen to think it is chance, especially considering black people are a minority in this country too.

You can continue to think it isn’t chance and some deeper motive if you want but I don’t and that’s just my opinion.

[GiRTh]

Why are you arguing about this? Do you think what Lewis Hamilton was subjected to was OK? I think you do.

We can go all night as to whether golf is a niche sport or not but the fact is Tiger Woods has got black people interested in Golf. Surely you see my point that in inner city areas there are not too many good golf courses but there are many football pitches and basketball courts so looking for a sporting option the kids are more likely to pick football over Golf.

What exactly are you saying? Are you saying that this racist abuse for the first potential black F1 champion does not matter at all?

[Matt10k]

Girth, the racism is no more serious to me than any other jibes people get thrown at them every day. That's all I'm saying. I don't think any abuse is acceptable but I just think we have to learn to accept it and take it on the chin.

We can go all OTT every time someone decides to try and insult us or we can just ignore these people because they don't matter.

Also, you can compare golf to F1 if you want and think that people only choose certain sports because they are disadvantaged or live in the city but I don't agree. F1 is just one of those things that unlike other sports, people can't just go out and practice at and like I said, there's only a handful of drivers from the uk anyway, of which one is black and considering black people are a minority, it's hardly suprising only one driver is black.

[Sunny_01]

I cant believe that some people feel he should just take this on the chin! Lewis Hamilton is the same as you and I and deserves to be able to do his job free of racism or any other prejudice.

This guy has managed to break into a sport where there are very few black men who are successful. I for one am proud that he has been able to break through that barrier. F1 is far from a dying sport, I love to watch the motor racing and I am a white, approaching middle aged woman! and I know many other people like me who will sit up half the night to watch a grand prix.

The Spanish who taunted him are the lowest form of life.