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Fredric is a web developer based in Chicago who hopes to one day start a foundation to support young, Black males in programming and computer science.

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Keep Keepin’ On Lewis

February 4th, 2008 • Related • Filed Under

lewis hamilton Young Black Professional GuideOne of things that comes up when I talk to my friends about our time over in Europe is the different manifestations of racism and ignorance. While it’s definitely disheartening for native Africans to not claim ‘us’ as African-American (because, you know, we all won’t be lumped together anyways), it’s nothing compared to France and Spain’s view of Black people. In America, the cats who are bold enough to say it out loud in front of a group of people usually get shunned by their own people as being ‘crazy’ and ‘not of the majority mindset’ (rolls eyes). In France and Spain, they’ll just say it…with the intent of wretched hate…to your face.

Such is the case with the rising young star Lewis Hamilton, who we propped up not too long ago. My man is THE top F1 driver in the world and drops the jaw of even the unimpressionable Jeremy Clarkson. Despite his untouchable talent and awesome personality, it didn’t stop the severe haters in Spain from shouting words like “puto negro” (fucking black) and “negro de mierda” (black shit) during the testing round at Circuit de Catalunya.

While the fans who sputtered this hateful trash were ushered out, I’m hoping the governing body of F1 takes serious action similar to the sentiment of UEFA. It cannot be tolerated. It will not be allowed. Penalties need to come down hard, banning all fans who are caught from the sport for life.

Either way, keep keepin’ on Lewis. You may not be the star here as you are over in England, but you still garner the support of the American ybp.

[read: autosport.com]

There Are 2 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by S. Stylus on 6 February 2008:

    Great post. This is most definately not something that one might see on ESPN or even made mention of by our Black Civil Rights Leadership (ie: Al Sharpton aka Captain African-America.) Unlike the form we see and have seen here in he US, This discrimination is based solely on the gradient of skin not social factors.

    I am a Black-Latino and its crazy because today, Post Super Tuesday, Racism been a part of my life. How can such a large population of those I identify with vote Obama and yet still others vote so strongly for Clinton. Its not based in politics but based in race.

    I know I seem off topic but there is a correlation. Check out my post entitled Telemundo Racism is Responsible for Disconnect Between Obama and Latinos

  2. Comment by ceecee on 8 February 2008:

    “While it’s definitely disheartening for native Africans to not claim ‘us’ as African-American (because, you know, we all won’t be lumped together anyways),…”

    woah there buddy that’s so untrue. Not every african has that opinion and besides there are quite a number of African Americans who reject Africans - or that they are from Africa.

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