Lewis Hamilton (Vol. 2)

[guards red]

Exige77 said:

If Lenny had started promoting politics during one of his original TV programmes it would have been the same issue.

Lenny promoting his politics in his own time is absolutely fine by me. He’s done a lot of good work.

My issue is Lewis pushing his politics during a “race weekend”.

Depends on your definition of politics. Perhaps he sees this as a Human Rights issue. Others might agree.

[spunkytherabbit]

C70R said:

spunkytherabbit said:

Exige77 said:

It’s an individual’s choice except when his individual fellow F1 drivers don’t give his cause the right amount of attention ?

I write as one of “Lewis the racing driver’s” greatest admirers.

As said previously by another poster, it’s wall to wall politics on the news everyday, I don’t want it to see it on the sporting stage.

I do wish Lewis would stick to the racing on a race weekend. He has endless opportunities on social media to push his causes which is absolutely fine. He has every right to use his fame in which ever way he chooses in his own time.

What is worse though for fans? F1 coverage dominated as much by Bernie and Max dragging the sport through the mud, about Max Mosely abusing his position of power, pursuing vendettas etc, Bernie's shady deals and wildly inappropriate comments? Or current coverage that is accepting that sport in general is no longer operating in a bubble like it used to? F1 especially.

Nobody ever seemed to get as worked up about that, and it's a largely forgotten/undiscussed part of F1 history.

Bernie, Max and Flavio have done more to drag F1's name through the mud than Lewis could manage in ten lifetimes. Maybe they were just loveable, misunderstood rogues?

Exactly, and it was damaging for the sport. The headlines they generated were beyond cringeworthy and it was only because it was insular to F1 in the grand scheme of things they got away with it. But, like I said, that F1 bubble is well and truly burst now.

[nickfrog]

Exige77 said:

If Lenny had started promoting politics during one of his original TV programmes it would have been the same issue.

Lenny promoting his politics in his own time is absolutely fine by me. He’s done a lot of good work.

My issue is Lewis pushing his politics during a “race weekend”.

Your issue seems to be that you are inconvenienced by it and it spoils your enjoyment of the Grand Prix.

While I can't understand how a few seconds of it can inconvenience anyone, I assume that you genuinely suffer.

It still isn't politics, it's basic promotion of racial equality. Surely that's a positive initiative that the entire sport has embraced and that you can see the value of, or is the suffering such that it overshadows the good that can come out ?

[Exige77]

C70R said:

Exige77 said:

C70R said:

Should Lenny Henry have just stuck to being funny and not highlighted the awkward truths about famine in Africa?

If Lenny had started promoting politics during one of his original TV programmes it would have been the same issue.

That's really quite sad, and says a lot about you.

Why is it sad ?

What does it say about me ?

Lenny has done a better job of his charitable work than being a comedian imho.

Anyway, this is an F1 thread specifically about Lewis.

[angrymoby]

Exige77 said:

My issue is Lewis pushing his politics during a “race weekend”.

striving for equality (be that race, gender, sexuality) isn't political, it's a human rights issue

what is/are arguably political? ...National Anthems

[C70R]

guards red said:

Exige77 said:

If Lenny had started promoting politics during one of his original TV programmes it would have been the same issue.

Lenny promoting his politics in his own time is absolutely fine by me. He’s done a lot of good work.

My issue is Lewis pushing his politics during a “race weekend”.

Depends on your definition of politics. Perhaps he sees this as a Human Rights issue. Others might agree.

Exactly my point above.

Imagine describing systemic racism as a "politics".
Imagine describing starving Sudanese refugees as "politics".

One of the positives that has come of Lewis's actions is that it has inadvertently helped to identify some people with quite unpleasant views.

[spunkytherabbit]

Exige77 said:

C70R said:

Exige77 said:

C70R said:

Should Lenny Henry have just stuck to being funny and not highlighted the awkward truths about famine in Africa?

If Lenny had started promoting politics during one of his original TV programmes it would have been the same issue.

That's really quite sad, and says a lot about you.

Why is it sad ?

What does it say about me ?

Lenny has done a better job of his charitable work than being a comedian imho.

Anyway, this is an F1 thread specifically about Lewis.

No I don't think it sad. I see the point Exige is making and I don't think it a reflection of who Exige is as a person. Exige, is the crux of it for you that 'the message' from the individual would not have been in context and as a viewer you tuned in to see that particular TV programme and didn't want to see/hear whatever this out of context messaging was? By having that in there you felt a bit hoodwinked, for want of a better description?

This isn't a set up Exige BTW. I'm finding it genuinely interesting.

[Exige77]

nickfrog said:

Exige77 said:

If Lenny had started promoting politics during one of his original TV programmes it would have been the same issue.

Lenny promoting his politics in his own time is absolutely fine by me. He’s done a lot of good work.

My issue is Lewis pushing his politics during a “race weekend”.

Your issue seems to be that you are inconvenienced by it and it spoils your enjoyment of the Grand Prix.

While I can't understand how a few seconds of it can inconvenience anyone, I assume that you genuinely suffer.

It still isn't politics, it's basic promotion of racial equality. Surely that's a positive initiative that the entire sport has embraced and that you can see the value of, or is the suffering such that it overshadows the good that can come out ?

Not sure I said I was suffering or even inconvenienced ?

I think I have been quite clear ?

I think Lewis should use his own high profile social media or other channels available to him to promote his political views and not do it on a race weekend.

I’m entitled to my opinion as others are entitled to theirs. If others think it’s OK then that’s fine.

Although the FIA / F1 / Mercedes have said it’s all fine, they don’t want to make F1 political. I’m sure we won’t be seeing any special T-shirts on the winners podium again.

[C70R]

spunkytherabbit said:

Exige77 said:

C70R said:

Exige77 said:

C70R said:

Should Lenny Henry have just stuck to being funny and not highlighted the awkward truths about famine in Africa?

If Lenny had started promoting politics during one of his original TV programmes it would have been the same issue.

That's really quite sad, and says a lot about you.

Why is it sad ?

What does it say about me ?

Lenny has done a better job of his charitable work than being a comedian imho.

Anyway, this is an F1 thread specifically about Lewis.

No I don't think it sad. I see the point Exige is making and I don't think it a reflection of who Exige is as a person. Exige, is the crux of it for you that 'the message' from the individual would not have been in context and as a viewer you tuned in to see that particular TV programme and didn't want to see/hear whatever this out of context messaging was? By having that in there you felt a bit hoodwinked, for want of a better description?

This isn't a set up Exige BTW. I'm finding it genuinely interesting.

That's what I'm getting at.

Imagine looking at a huge issue that causes pain and suffering for millions of people, and saying "God, I wish they'd get on with the sport/comedy/music and not inconvenience me".

Surely any reasonable person, with well-adjusted values, would say "That's a really important issue, that causes pain and suffering for millions of people. I'm glad someone is using their position to raise awareness."?

[Exige77]

C70R said:

guards red said:

Exige77 said:

If Lenny had started promoting politics during one of his original TV programmes it would have been the same issue.

Lenny promoting his politics in his own time is absolutely fine by me. He’s done a lot of good work.

My issue is Lewis pushing his politics during a “race weekend”.

Depends on your definition of politics. Perhaps he sees this as a Human Rights issue. Others might agree.

Exactly my point above.

Imagine describing systemic racism as a "politics".
Imagine describing starving Sudanese refugees as "politics".

One of the positives that has come of Lewis's actions is that it has inadvertently helped to identify some people with quite unpleasant views.

It certainly looks like anyone who questions anything about the fight against systemic racism is suddenly a racist or someone with “unpleasant views”.

[ntiz]

As a whole I don’t mind the way Hamilton is going about his BLM protest. Mainly because he mostly doing it in a broad general way.

If he was pointing the finger directly and saying the UK was a dark racist place I wouldn’t be so keen.

But as he is just calling for more inclusion for everyone everywhere I see it as a good thing.

[Muzzer79]

Exige77 said:

It certainly looks like anyone who questions anything about the fight against systemic racism is suddenly a racist or someone with “unpleasant views”.

To be honest, if you questioned the use of violence or similar in the fight against systematic racism; I'd understand it.

But to question a man wearing a t-shirt and these politics interrupting a car race for a few minutes. I don't understand.

[nickfrog]

Exige77 said:

Not sure I said I was suffering or even inconvenienced ?

I think I have been quite clear ?

I think Lewis should use his own high profile social media or other channels available to him to promote his political views and not do it on a race weekend.

No you're not clear at all. It seems to bother you a lot even though it's not even political. You keep complaining about it so it must affect you, surely.

Exige77 said:

Although the FIA / F1 / Mercedes have said it’s all fine, they don’t want to make F1 political. I’m sure we won’t be seeing any special T-shirts on the winners podium again.

So you're all good with Hamilton now on that basis I assume.

Edited by nickfrog on Wednesday 28th October 12:46

[Bo_apex]

Muzzer79 said:

But to question a man wearing a t-shirt and these politics interrupting a car race for a few minutes. I don't understand.

So long as the FIA permits all drivers to publicize each of their own political views in an equitable manner.

But sport normally stays away from politics and religion and is the better for it.

[Exige77]

nickfrog said:

Exige77 said:

Not sure I said I was suffering or even inconvenienced ?

I think I have been quite clear ?

I think Lewis should use his own high profile social media or other channels available to him to promote his political views and not do it on a race weekend.

No you're not clear at all. It seems to bother you a lot even though it's not even political. You keep complaining about it so it must affect you, surely.

Exige77 said:

Although the FIA / F1 / Mercedes have said it’s all fine, they don’t want to make F1 political. I’m sure we won’t be seeing any special T-shirts on the winners podium again.

So you're all good with Hamilton now on that basis I assume.

Edited by nickfrog on Wednesday 28th October 12:46

It seems to be bothering you now

[spunkytherabbit]

Exige77 said:

C70R said:

guards red said:

Exige77 said:

If Lenny had started promoting politics during one of his original TV programmes it would have been the same issue.

Lenny promoting his politics in his own time is absolutely fine by me. He’s done a lot of good work.

My issue is Lewis pushing his politics during a “race weekend”.

Depends on your definition of politics. Perhaps he sees this as a Human Rights issue. Others might agree.

Exactly my point above.

Imagine describing systemic racism as a "politics".
Imagine describing starving Sudanese refugees as "politics".

One of the positives that has come of Lewis's actions is that it has inadvertently helped to identify some people with quite unpleasant views.

It certainly looks like anyone who questions anything about the fight against systemic racism is suddenly a racist or someone with “unpleasant views”.

And the blurring of the lines from others politicising matters, whether they are pro or against BLM means many end up not able to have a simple conversation with one another and find some sort of understanding about a differing viewpoint.

On one side I do like sport coverage being about the sport. Sunday afternoon F1 is about escape - telling the kids to get lost or shut up, watch the race, eat biscuits and me and the missus love 'our' sport for three hours without distraction. Still loving such a singular viewing experience does not make me, others here, or fans of other mainstream sports bad people or have unpleasant views. Saying someone does so is just as divisive as an extreme right winger posting something that really is genuine racism.

I do accept though that mainstream sport can no longer operate in a bubble and coverage will have aspects in it from the outside world. F1 is a prime example and like it or not, BLM is an important human rights issue and there is a high profile black driver on the grid. Viewers have to accept the coverage will reflect this and learn to live with it, enjoy it, try use it as a catalyst for some reflection. Or disengage.

I genuinely don't believe either Hamilton or the FIA have politicised the issue. Hamilton has been very clumsy at times, for sure, but other than that my personal view is he has the right to the platform F1 affords him. Both in principle and in practice in the coverage I watch. However, someone who doesn't want to see coverage about anything other than F1 is not automatically a bad person or has questionable views but should at least be prepared to be asked 'why not', regardless of the burning issue at hand. And expect to be asked nicely too.

Edited by spunkytherabbit on Wednesday 28th October 14:39

[nickfrog]

Exige77 said:

nickfrog said:

Exige77 said:

Not sure I said I was suffering or even inconvenienced ?

I think I have been quite clear ?

I think Lewis should use his own high profile social media or other channels available to him to promote his political views and not do it on a race weekend.

No you're not clear at all. It seems to bother you a lot even though it's not even political. You keep complaining about it so it must affect you, surely.

Exige77 said:

Although the FIA / F1 / Mercedes have said it’s all fine, they don’t want to make F1 political. I’m sure we won’t be seeing any special T-shirts on the winners podium again.

So you're all good with Hamilton now on that basis I assume.

Edited by nickfrog on Wednesday 28th October 12:46

It seems to be bothering you now

Yes as I don't understand what your view is.

But I assume you are all good with Hamilton now that the T shirts have been deemed as crossing a line?

[C70R]

Exige77 said:

C70R said:

guards red said:

Exige77 said:

If Lenny had started promoting politics during one of his original TV programmes it would have been the same issue.

Lenny promoting his politics in his own time is absolutely fine by me. He’s done a lot of good work.

My issue is Lewis pushing his politics during a “race weekend”.

Depends on your definition of politics. Perhaps he sees this as a Human Rights issue. Others might agree.

Exactly my point above.

Imagine describing systemic racism as a "politics".
Imagine describing starving Sudanese refugees as "politics".

One of the positives that has come of Lewis's actions is that it has inadvertently helped to identify some people with quite unpleasant views.

It certainly looks like anyone who questions anything about the fight against systemic racism is suddenly a racist or someone with “unpleasant views”.

And there we have it. As expected.

You don't disagree with him using his position to promote any cause.

You disagree specifically with him highlighting systemic racial injustice.

[Exige77]

C70R said:

And there we have it. As expected.

You don't disagree with him using his position to promote any cause.

You disagree specifically with him highlighting systemic racial injustice.

Not at all. I appreciate his efforts in doing good deeds. Lewis is a pretty decent chap, I just prefer he did it in his own time and not during a GP weekend.

[Gazzab]

Exige77 said:

C70R said:

And there we have it. As expected.

You don't disagree with him using his position to promote any cause.

You disagree specifically with him highlighting systemic racial injustice.

Not at all. I appreciate his efforts in doing good deeds. Lewis is a pretty decent chap, I just prefer he did it in his own time and not during a GP weekend.

I celebrate him doing it. Racial inequality needs the likes of Hamilton to draw attention to it and to help those with prejudice learn that it’s unacceptable. F1 is a great platform for him to get the message across.