The record for most first-place victories in auto racing league Formula 1, now belongs to Lewis Hamilton, with a record 92 career win, as he clinched himself another victory at the Portuguese Grand Prix, on October 25, 2020.
His win saw him surpassing racing legend Michael Schumacher’s, who was sitting at 91 career wins. Some people already regard it as a win for the black community, recognising that Hamilton is an unapologetic black man.
Lewis Hamilton’s career is not only admirable with the way he is able to control the racing tracks, it is also admirable in what he does outside the tracks. He is a proud voice of the black race, and he never shies away from using his platform to speak his truth.
Yesterday, this foreign athlete, decided to use his platform to speak on the issue currently plaguing Nigeria – police brutality. Before his date with destiny on the tracks, the racer wore a T-shirt with the Nigerian map on it, and the words #EndSARS.
The six-time Formula 1 champion, decided to join the protest against police brutality in Nigeria, simply stating when he was asked about the shirt; “I’ve got to show this.” He would later put out a tweet, fully explaining the rationale behind his decision.
We all have a responsibility to educate ourselves and raise awareness of the tragedies happening in the world around us and take action where we can. The recent events in Nigeria are a human rights crisis.
Hit the link to find out more #EndSARS ?? https://t.co/AtCcDo6dFn pic.twitter.com/VDGK3Cp1c7— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) October 25, 2020
His message as expected seemed to get across, with many westerners weighing in on the sensitive issue.
It's not just the Police. Thousands of Christians in the country are killed every year by Al Shabaab and Fulani Herdsmen whilst the government does nothing. Some of the executions are truly horrific. The world stays mainly silent
— Cliff Dixon – Community Campaigner (@EngPatriot) October 25, 2020
Thank you Lewis for lending your support. The ?? government using the ?? Army massacred innocent ?? protesters on 20/10/20 at the Lekki Toll Plaza while they were singing the national anthem and waving their flags all because we were protesting against #PoliceBrutalityInNigeria
— #Chloroquine #EndSARS #LekkiGenocide (@prettycachy) October 25, 2020
Yes Lewis thank you. Every responsible person around the world, has a duty to condemn the crimes against humanity taking place in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Cameroon & DRC.#EndSARS #ZimbabweanLivesMatter #AnglophoneCrisis #CongoIsBleeding #AfricaIsBleeding
— Thuso van Zyl (@Thuso1Africa) October 25, 2020
Last month, Formula 1’s governing body, put out a new set of rules, policing what racers can wear to the pre and post-race interviews owing to a shirt Hamilton had worn. Hamilton wore a T-shirt on the Tuscan Grand Prix grid that had in front of it “Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor.”
It’s been 6 months since Breonna Taylor was murdered by policemen, in her own home. Still no justice has been served. We won’t stay silent. #JusticeForBreonnaTaylor pic.twitter.com/7zinVHiYcH
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) September 13, 2020
However, seeing as he has promised never to stop speaking up against social injustice, he wore the #EndSARS T-Shirt yesterday, in solidarity to and an exercise of his fundamental rights. Hamilton has noted that no rule put before him has ever stopped him.
For Chinedu Okafor, its all about making an impact with words, creating a profound impression on the audience with the intended narrative.
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