Lewis Hamilton "overcome with rage" at racial 'injustice'

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton "overcome with rage" at racial 'injustice'

"Unfortunately, America is not the only place where racism lives"

Sam Hall

Wednesday 3 June 2020 07:47 Updated: 10:31

Lewis Hamilton has said he 'failed to keep hold of his emotions' in a week that has seen #BlackLivesMatter and #BlackoutTuesday take over social media as people from all corners of the world spoke up to spread a message of unity and anti-racism.

On Sunday evening, Hamilton criticised Formula 1 and the motorsport industry as a whole for staying silent on the issue of racism - the topic thrust into the public eye by the killing of George Floyd by a police officer in the United States.

The response was swift, with the sport pulling together to spread a message of unity.

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"This past week has been so dark," wrote Hamilton on Instagram. "I have failed to keep hold of my emotions. I have felt so much anger, sadness and disbelief in what my eyes have seen. I am completely overcome with rage at the sight of such blatant disregard for the lives of our people. The injustice that we are seeing our brothers and sisters face all over the world time and time again is disgusting and MUST stop.

"So many people seem surprised, but to us, unfortunately, it is not surprising. Those of us who are black, brown or in between, see it every day and should not have to feel as though we were born guilty, don’t belong, or fear for our lives based on the colour of our skin. Will Smith said it best, racism is not getting worse, it’s being filmed. Only now that the world is so well equipped with cameras has this issue been able to come to light in such a big way.

"It is only when there are riots and screams for justice that the powers that be cave in and do something, but by then it is far too late and not enough has been done. It took hundreds of thousands of peoples complaints and buildings to burn before officials reacted and decided to arrest Derek Chauvin for murder, and that is sad."

pic.twitter.com/z2moHyemMG
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) June 2, 2020

While the media focus is on the United States and the riots and protests that continue in the country, Hamilton was quick to add that the problem remains an international one.

He added: "Unfortunately, America is not the only place where racism lives and we continue to fail as humans when we cannot stand up for what is right. Please do not sit in silence, no matter the colour of your skin. Black Lives Matter."