F1 champion joins Rashford in fight against inequality
STARS SPEAK OUT
BY MATT MALTBY LEWIS HAMILTON joined Marcus Rashford in his fight against inequality as he vowed to tackle the global education crisis.
Manchester United and England star Rashford yesterday forced the Westminster government into a £120million U-turn over free school meals. And F1 champion Hamilton, who has played a prominent role in the Black Lives Matter movement following George Floyd’s death, wants to use his own experience at school to help others.
Yesterday he partnered with #TOGETHERBAND – a global movement which champions the United Nations’ 17 Global Goals – to kickstart that bid.
“Everyone, no matter where they’re from or the colour of their skin, should have access to a quality education,” said Hamilton. “Shockingly there are still millions of children globally who don’t have access to education. This needs to change.”
The F1 star, who was born in Stevenage, has previously spoken about not enjoying school due to his struggle with dyslexia.
He also broke down racial barriers as a junior karter en route to the summit of F1 but remains the sport’s only black driver.
As part of his campaign, Hamilton recently visited Alperton Community School in London to inspire the next generation. “Education is Plan A, always, but there’s a lot of kids around the world who don’t have the opportunities that you guys have,” he told students.
Like Rashford, whose passionate pleas to the government won him plaudits from across the political spectrum, Hamilton has refused to stay silent.
The 35-year-old has also been vocal in his passionate condemnation of racial injustice after the death of Floyd.
Hamilton spoke to millions of followers on social media of his rage and disbelief at the killing of the unarmed black man after a white US police officer knelt on his neck.
He also hit out at his fellow drivers for remaining silent on the issue, forcing several to belatedly speak out.
“I have felt so inspired by the thousands of people across the globe using their voices to speak out against racial injustice,” he said. “However, our fight for equality must continue beyond this. Racism is a global disease and one which we must tackle with our votes as well as our voices.”
TOGETHERBANDS are available from www.togetherband.org