Lewis Hamilton, one of the most successful Formula One drivers ever, used his voice to promote diversity during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. In June the same year, Hamilton participated in a peaceful demonstration in Hyde Park, London, where he encouraged people to keep on pushing until a positive change was achieved through the end of racial injustice, not only in America but also in other parts of the world.
Additionally, Hamilton disclosed his plans to create a commission with the specific goal of increasing diversity in the motorsport industry. Through his social media accounts such as Instagram, the six-time world champion expressed his joy after witnessing thousands of individuals fight against racial discrimination by signing petitions and using social media to raise awareness about the importance of racial and ethnic diversity.
Formula 1 and Black Lives Matter
Hamilton was not the only F1 driver supporting the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. In July, Sky Sports revealed that other Formula One drivers were considering backing the association by taking the knee right before the commencement of the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix. At the same time, Mercedes would also unveil their new suits, all black, for Hamilton and fellow F1 driver, Valtteri Viktor Bottas.
The 2020 Black Lives Matter protests were fueled by the murder of George Floyd, an African-American man, by a white cop after the latter knelt on his knee for too long, despite his cries for mercy, stating that he could barely breathe. Millions of other people, including musicians, actors and actresses as well as political leaders, expressed their disappointment in the act. During this time, protestors and anti-racism activists also demanded that the police officers who murdered Breonna Taylor, an African-American medical technician, in March 2020, be brought to justice.
Undoubtedly, Lewis Hamilton set an example for all those with influence by fighting for racial diversity.
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