Lewis Hamilton - An Apology

[joggerjayne]

A few days ago I criticised Lewis Hamilton for having a contemptuous attitude towards Britain and the rest of we Brits. I now realise that I was wrong.

Lewis H now says that Stevenage (the town where he grew up, and whose people embrace him as a local hero) is "a slum" and he "couldn't wait to get out".

Maybe it is a slum. I haven't been there. But, according to Lewis H, he is not at fault for calling the town there he learnt his trade "a slum" ... the people at fault are the ones who are criticising him for doing so. He says they are "creating negative energy".

I now realise that, Lewis H displaying contempt towards his home and the people who support him, is part of his charm, and we should be thanking him for dumping on us from a great height. It is a privilege to have such a great man stick his fingers up at us, as he drives off with his tax free money. Oh, but keep buying his book, and merchandise. Keep the money flowing out of Britain, and into Lewis H's offshore bank.

For having "created negative energy" by criticising the great man ... Lewis, I apologise.

:-)

[Bazile]

^^^^^
So , what is he - white or black ?

[ethandron]

If you read what he actually said, it’s somewhat different to what’s been reported.
And whilst Stevenage is far from being a slum, it’s pretty dire.

[AuntLydia]

ethandron I wondered about that -did he actually say everything the gutter press claimed he did? However dire a place is its a bit rude to the people who live their to publically describe it as a slum.

[Cloverjo]

I agree, ethandron. I'm no fan of Hamilton, but he did correct himself immediately after he said he 'came from the slums' and then said he meant that his parents didn't have much money when he was young but they helped him chase his dreams. Or something.

[ethandron]

You need to read it and decide what you think, I’m sure you can get it online.

[TonyV]

Hi jogger I was brought up a couple of streets away from Lewis, and although I'm a few years older than him, never did me any harm. My parents moved to Stevenage after the war, and brought up 3 well balanced children. I have no respect for him any more.

[TonyV]

Ethandron what parts are dire?

[ChillDoubt]

IMHO he was just using the phrase in an analogy to portray humble beginnings but that didn’t stop the usual hysteria that many like to display.....

[ethandron]

Chilli, that’s exactly it.
Tony, from what I’ve seen, most of it, but I’d depends on what you’re used to.

[TonyV]

Any JJ as an aside you still dipping a toe in the sea?

[TonyV]

Ok ethadron lots worst places to live I can assure you, if you understand why the new town was built in the first place.

[stocksman]

Lewis was not necessarily calling Stevenage a slum. It is a normal way of saying that he has managed to improve on the way he lives now compared to how his life started. Maybe he could have given more thought to what he said. I have no feelings towards him at all but I do think people like to look for things to criticise wherever they cando so, it is another one of our political choice things.
As I said it is just a saying used in the English language to say ne has improved one's lot. Nothing more, nothing less.

[TonyV]

http://www.localhistories.org/stevenage.html

[tonyav]

I've never liked the bloke, he has always come over has a proper Richard Head to me.

[douglas9401]

Fast driver from humble beginnings mis-speaks.

People lose or don't lose their schit while not really caring a jot.

He's still five times world champion and a successful businessman no matter what people who should look in before they look out say.

[TonyV]

Richard I've lost some respect, but he is a kin good driver. Ron Dennis saw that potential very early on and nurtured it.

[Hymie]

The latest edition of Private Eye has an article on Lewis Hamilton defending his comments (I have reproduced it verbatim below).

Lewis Hamilton has defended his comments about wanting to make something of himself and escape from the slums of Stevenage.

‘You have no idea of the poverty I saw growing up in Stevenage that was caused by people paying their taxes.’ Lewis told the audience at the Sports Personality of the Year Awards.

‘Some families of five were living in houses that did not have 73 rooms and nine bathrooms, they were driving cars that were five years old and, after the taxman has swooped, only had enough cash for one holiday a year to the sunshine in Greece.’

‘From a young age, I was determined to live in Monaco to ensure that I never experienced the sort of poverty and destitution that comes from paying taxes.’