First Amendment:
London (AFP) – Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton revealed on Monday that he was subjected to racial slurs and humiliation at school during his childhood, describing this period as the “most traumatic” of his life.
In the “On Purpose” podcast, which was broadcast on Monday, the 38-year-old pilot, who grew up in a small town near London, explains: “For me, school was the most traumatic and difficult part of my life.”
He adds, “I started being bullied at the age of six. At my school I was one of only three black kids, and I was often bullied by the older, stronger boys.”
“Bumps all the time, things thrown at me, like bananas, people who used the N-word (black) quite calmly, people who treated me like half a monkey… I didn’t know where I was, it was really hard for me.”
“I didn’t feel like going home and explaining to my parents that these kids treated me black or that I was bullied and beaten at school,” he says. “I didn’t want my parents to think I wasn’t strong.”
Regarded as one of the greatest drivers of all time, Hamilton remains the only black driver on the grid. He created Mission 44 and Ignite to help and promote youth from disadvantaged backgrounds to become Mercedes-affiliated drivers.
© 2023 AFP
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