Ugliness in Formula 1

[Dr. Cheese]

This is a NYT blog about racial abuse directed towards a young Black UK Formula 1 driver in Spain. The USA has some terrible shortcomings, but I sure am glad that public racial abuse is no longer tolerated here the way it seems to be in Spain, Italy, and other places in Europe. Some Americans complain about "political correctness" but if we don't have standards we will get the kind of stupidity seen in Spain.


http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/

[Baryonyx]

Already there mate...

Who let these guys in?

[MakiSupaStar]

I hear you Cheese, but as Chris already pointed out there's a thread on this. I agree with your point whole heartedly however.

[Atoz]

I am an ardent F1 fan, and have traveled to a number of Grands Prix in my lifetime. Those people in the photo are definitely in the minority (no pun intended, obviously). Most F1 fans are very supportive of Hammy, and he might be the most popular F1 driver around (now that Schumi's gone ). Hell, I'd like him if he didn't drive for the hated McLaren team. As a tifoso I'm not allowed to.

I would imagine that the people in the photo are fans of ex-WC (and total prat) Fernando Alonso, who are still pissed off about how Hammy outdrove Fenando the Eyebrow last season in his rookie campaign. I've written them off as idiots and not representative of the F1 community as a whole.

[*smb]

Originally Posted by Atoz

I would imagine that the people in the photo are fans of ex-WC (and total prat) Fernando Alonso, who are still pissed off about how Hammy outdrove Fenando the Eyebrow last season in his rookie campaign. I've written them off as idiots and not representative of the F1 community as a whole.

The back of their shirts said stuff like "Alonso forever" and "Alonso #1". I'm disappointed he hasn't come out and denounced these people. I'm no Alonso fan either and he's clearly not exactly friends with Ham but racism is racism and in his position I would have something to say.

[peaveyuser]

disgusting, as one of my favorite sports I am disappointed. Hamilton is probably my favorite driver now that Schumacher is gone, it's amazing how a rookie can drive that good!

I also really respect the fact that Hamilton is showing so much class in this issue, calm and polite. Thats the way it should be, I expect great things in the future for this driver, hope he goes to ferrari or BMW sometime.

[MakiSupaStar]

Originally Posted by Atoz

I am an ardent F1 fan, and have traveled to a number of Grands Prix in my lifetime. Those people in the photo are definitely in the minority (no pun intended, obviously). Most F1 fans are very supportive of Hammy, and he might be the most popular F1 driver around (now that Schumi's gone ). Hell, I'd like him if he didn't drive for the hated McLaren team. As a tifoso I'm not allowed to.

I would imagine that the people in the photo are fans of ex-WC (and total prat) Fernando Alonso, who are still pissed off about how Hammy outdrove Fenando the Eyebrow last season in his rookie campaign. I've written them off as idiots and not representative of the F1 community as a whole.

I've been to numerous F1 events as a kid and I would even go as far as to describe the F1 events as kind of a snooty affair. This is the kind of behavior seems more likely at Nascar.

[Cambass]

The FIA has threatened to come down hard on the Spanish organisers. With both Grand Prixs' threatened I'm sure they'll make sure it doesn't happen again.

Fortunately this kind of behaviour in F1 is very rare.

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

This is a NYT blog about racial abuse directed towards a young Black UK Formula 1 driver in Spain. The USA has some terrible shortcomings, but I sure am glad that public racial abuse is no longer tolerated here the way it seems to be in Spain, Italy, and other places in Europe. Some Americans complain about "political correctness" but if we don't have standards we will get the kind of stupidity seen in Spain.


http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/

Another +1 for the good doctor!

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

I've been to numerous F1 events as a kid and I would even go as far as to describe the F1 events as kind of a snooty affair. This is the kind of behavior seems more likely at Nascar.

I've been attending the Canadian Grand Prix for about the last 20 years, and things have seriously changed. So much so, that I'm actually not going this year! I might have some withdrawal symptoms, but with the overall change of the demographic of the sport, as well as the weak American dollar making even staying in Canada expensive, I've decided it is time to stop going for a while.

[Vince S.]

Flat out ridiculous and racist. What an utter pile of ****.

Be careful Dr. Cheese; some members will be coming in here soon telling you to "get over it" and to "quit being such a whiny liberal PC nut".

[burk48237]

I don't see what this has to do with "PC"? Sure we wouldn't tolerate it here. But we wouldn't arrest them. My problem with "PC" is not private individuals who don't tolerate public expressions of intolerance. My problem is on two levels 1) When civil authorities get involved to limit freedom of expression 2) When oversensitivity clouds our judgments to the point of absurdity. Obviously dressing in blackface, wearing swastikas, and using the N word are offensive signs of hatred. I'm just not sure that saying Merry Christmas or doing a rewrite of the Three Little Pigs falls under the same category.

[Vince S.]

Originally Posted by burk48237

I don't see what this has to do with "PC"? Sure we wouldn't tolerate it here. But we wouldn't arrest them. My problem with "PC" is not private individuals who don't tolerate public expressions of intolerance. My problem is on two levels 1) When civil authorities get involved to limit freedom of expression 2) When oversensitivity clouds our judgments to the point of absurdity. Obviously dressing in blackface, wearing swastikas, and using the N word are offensive signs of hatred. I'm just not sure that saying Merry Christmas or doing a rewrite of the Three Little Pigs falls under the same category.

Don't worry Burk, I wasn't referring to you

[Atoz]

Originally Posted by *smb

The back of their shirts said stuff like "Alonso forever" and "Alonso #1". I'm disappointed he hasn't come out and denounced these people. I'm no Alonso fan either and he's clearly not exactly friends with Ham but racism is racism and in his position I would have something to say.

Good point. Perhaps Fernando approves of this sort of thing, though I would hope not.

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

I've been to numerous F1 events as a kid and I would even go as far as to describe the F1 events as kind of a snooty affair. This is the kind of behavior seems more likely at Nascar.

I think this sort of thing is below NASCAR standards, IMHO.

Originally Posted by Tony G

I've been attending the Canadian Grand Prix for about the last 20 years, and things have seriously changed. So much so, that I'm actually not going this year! I might have some withdrawal symptoms, but with the overall change of the demographic of the sport, as well as the weak American dollar making even staying in Canada expensive, I've decided it is time to stop going for a while.

I know, it's really sad. It's a great race to attend, and the Crescent Street festival during race week has always been something I've really enjoyed.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by Atoz

I know, it's really sad. It's a great race to attend, and the Crescent Street festival during race week has always been something I've really enjoyed.

Agreed, but even that has had a steady decline. I remember years when they held major outdoor free concerts during the F1 weekend there, getting major acts such as James Brown one year. All the major car companies had tents in and around the city, holding their own festivities. Mercedes held out as long as they could, doing it for years after everybody else, but even last year they gave up on it as well. The only thing going on is the Honda stuff on Crescent, and that has been consistently the same boring stuff for at least the last 3 years.

[Fetzu]

Originally Posted by Atoz

I've written them off as idiots and not representative of the F1 community as a whole.

I was thinking the same thing.

[peaveyuser]

Originally Posted by Vince S.

Flat out ridiculous and racist. What an utter pile of ****.

Be careful Dr. Cheese; some members will be coming in here soon telling you to "get over it" and to "quit being such a whiny liberal PC nut".

dude shutup seriosly every damn post in these threads you somehow make it about yourself and blow up everything.

This is bad

Racism=bad

multiculturalism=good


Vince IMO, true tolerance and respect will be had when other people can laugh and joke about stereotypes with the other guy not taking it bad, then he'll do it to me. Why because that means we've past a point where everybody starts taking it so seriosly and true equity is found.

I have black,Asian, indian friends and yes to their face I make stupid stereotype jokes ( a lot of the time positive stereotypes also) but then they laugh hah hah hah then burn me back, I know it's not true what scares me is when people mean it. I'm not afraid to laugh at non PC things but there is a line and I to don't like it when it's crossed.

[Vince S.]

Originally Posted by peaveyuser

dude shutup seriosly every damn post in these threads you somehow make it about yourself and blow up everything.

This is bad

Racism=bad

multiculturalism=good


Vince IMO, true tolerance and respect will be had when other people can laugh and joke about stereotypes with the other guy not taking it bad, then he'll do it to me. Why because that means we've past a point where everybody starts taking it so seriosly and true equity is found.

I have black,Asian, indian friends and yes to their face I make stupid stereotype jokes ( a lot of the time positive stereotypes also) but then they laugh hah hah hah then burn me back, I know it's not true what scares me is when people mean it. I'm not afraid to laugh at non PC things but there is a line and I to don't like it when it's crossed.

Great way to start off a post, by violating the forum rules.

Secondly, see my posting in the non-PC club thread. I joke around too. It is when there is maliciousness and hatred behind it that the gloves come off. And this incident of "blackface" was definitely malicious.

Also, please point out how I made it about myself?

[peaveyuser]

Originally Posted by Vince S.

.

Also, please point out how I made it about myself?

Originally Posted by Vince S.

Be careful Dr. Cheese; some members will be coming in here soon telling you to "get over it" and to "quit being such a whiny liberal PC nut".

Kind of from personal experience no?

Just let it go, I saw in the other thread your postings of the Asian stereotypes (Rob Schnieder with tape on his eyes).

The posts get kind of repetitive.

[FL Knifemaker]

Originally Posted by Vince S.

Also, please point out how I made it about myself?

Check the other thread