Lewis Hamilton says he was ‘bullied and beaten’ so bad for being black it left ‘negative psychological effects that can’t be measured’
Six-time F1 champion says he had to learn karate as a child to defend himself
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Your support makes all the difference.Lewis Hamilton has revealed that he was “bullied and beaten” as a child due to being black, leaving “negative psychological effects that cannot be measured”.
The six-time Formula One champion, who has been widely praised for his vocal stance against racial inequality, added that he had to learn karate as a child to defend himself in fights and says the “painful memories” still provide part of the fuel that drives his racing career.
Earlier this week, Hamilton called out his fellow drivers for their silence as protests over racial injustice erupted across the US following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man in handcuffs, by a white police officer.
“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,” Hamilton wrote on Instagram. “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!”
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